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Les Winkeler

Commentary: Southern Illinois schools set standard at bass tournaments

Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

Since the inception of the Illinois High School Association’s state bass fishing tournament in 2009, southern Illinois schools have been proving it is the size of the fish, not the size of the school that counts.
Schools in the Deep South have been major players in the state series since Dylan Vaughn, Kaleb Gardner, and Lane Murphy of West Frankfort brought home the state championship trophy in 2009. In addition to West Frankfort, Elverado (2016) and Pinckneyville (2018) have won state titles.

Commentary: Southern Illinois schools set standard at bass tournaments Read More »

Chris Hespen picked to manage Illinois DNR’s largest site at Pyramid State Park

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Illinois, National Fishing, National Hunting, National News, News /

Chris Hespen has built an impressive resume with DNR.

The Peotone native was recently named the site superintendent at Pyramid State Park. Hespen is just the fourth site super in Pyramid’s 55-year history, following Bob Shaw, Dave Phillips and the recently retired Cha Hill. Today, Pyramid is the largest state park in Illinois and is a mecca for fishing and field trial events.

Chris Hespen picked to manage Illinois DNR’s largest site at Pyramid State Park Read More »

At 18, Illinois’ Trey McKinney hoping to be among youngest on Bassmaster Elite tour

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Illinois, National Fishing, National News, News /

Trey McKinney, an 18-year-old from Marion, is so close to achieving his dream of qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite circuit.
If McKinney moves up to the Elite series, he will be one of the youngest anglers in history to qualify for the circuit.
The dream is there in plain sight. McKinney is currently fishing the Bassmaster Open circuit, attempting to amass enough points to qualify for the Elites.

At 18, Illinois’ Trey McKinney hoping to be among youngest on Bassmaster Elite tour Read More »

Bush-fishing crappies Rend Lake guide untangles mysteries

Featured, Features, Fishing, Illinois, Pro Tips /

When the third or fourth slab crappie hit the bottom of Rick Eskew’s livewell, the veteran Rend Lake fishing guide said for anyone to hear, “Not all bushes are created equal.”
Although a cryptic message on the surface, anyone who fishes Rend Lake in southern Illinois during the crappie spawn understands. The lake’s largest crappies spawn in the tangled masses of buttonbush that dot the shoreline each spring.

Bush-fishing crappies Rend Lake guide untangles mysteries Read More »

Commentary: Even when fishing time shrinks, purchase of a license is a wise investment

Fishing, Illinois, Opinion /

I won’t be spending a lot of time fishing this year. My life has changed in that regard. Not necessarily for the better, but it is reality. Despite that fact, I found myself online last month purchasing my 2023 combo hunting/fishing license. The transaction cost me $28.

Commentary: Even when fishing time shrinks, purchase of a license is a wise investment Read More »

Illinois turkey numbers expected to climb with 2023 season fast approaching

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, News /

After two years of decline, the Illinois turkey flock appears to be making a comeback.
The news comes just in time: the state’s spring season opens April 3 in the South Zone and April 10 in the North Zone. Biologists believe that the COVID-19 pandemic and increased hunting pressure that came with it was partially to blame for recent declines.

Illinois turkey numbers expected to climb with 2023 season fast approaching Read More »

Is nocturnal feeding to blame for duck slump during the Illinois season?

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting /

Horseshoe Lake in Illinois held large numbers of ducks, but hunters still had little success. For years, hunters have floated a theory that ducks are becoming nocturnal feeders as a way to escape hunting pressure.
Joey Thurston, DNR site superintendent at Horseshoe Lake and Union County Refuge, stopped short of a full-throated endorsement of that theory, but did offer anecdotal evidence.

Is nocturnal feeding to blame for duck slump during the Illinois season? Read More »

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