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Ralph Loos

Ralph Loos: Agreement to transfer ownership of Shabbona Recreation Area deals a bad hand to Illinois anglers and hunters

3 Comments / Discussions, Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Hunting, Illinois, National Fishing, National Hunting, Opinion /

People in Illinois who don’t fish or hunt aren’t likely to be as disturbed as the rest of us about the state handing over Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area.
That’s because they haven’t invested the time and money we have. Time is emotional and personal, be is somewhat superficial. Thousands of Illinois anglers spend, and have spent, hours on Shabbona Lake. Same goes for hunters who walk, and have walked, the acreage open to deer, duck, and dove hunting.

Ralph Loos: Agreement to transfer ownership of Shabbona Recreation Area deals a bad hand to Illinois anglers and hunters Read More »

Southern Illinois angler flirts with history as 20-year-old Trey McKinney takes second at ’25 Bassmaster Classic

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

Trey McKinney, of Carbondale, Ill., nearly made history while competing in the world’s most-celebrated fishing tournament for the first time. His catch of 26 pounds, 9 ounces put him atop the field after the first day of the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic.
Had he held on, McKinney would have been the youngest angler ever to win the Classic.

Southern Illinois angler flirts with history as 20-year-old Trey McKinney takes second at ’25 Bassmaster Classic Read More »

Sangchris Lake crappies, Heidecke Lake bass included in regulation changes in Illinois

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

Starting April 1, anglers at Sangchris Lake in Illinois will have a pass to keep smaller crappies, while bass fishermen at Heidecke Lake will face a new 15-inch minimum length limit and a daily limit of three.
Bowfishermen, meanwhile, are subject to a host of regulation changes. DNR’s release of the 2025 Fishing Regulation Information Guide annually signals the start of fishing season in the state. The guide is currently available for download, with printed versions due out in coming weeks.

Sangchris Lake crappies, Heidecke Lake bass included in regulation changes in Illinois Read More »

Catfish continue to emerge in Lake Murphysboro from Jackson County, Ill.

Illinois, Lake Profile, Lake Profile /

It’s rarely among the small group of Illinois lakes boasting about its big flathead catfish, but Lake Murphysboro may soon enjoy a day when catfishermen around the state say, “Let’s try to find a monster in Murphy.”
Local legend of the “Big Muddy Monster” aside, they may be talking about a growing number of growing flatheads in Lake Murphysboro, the 145-acre Jackson County lake that which sits not far from the Big Muddy River and not far from the much larger Kinkaid Lake.

Catfish continue to emerge in Lake Murphysboro from Jackson County, Ill. Read More »

Ralph Loos: Boone and Crockett Club’s Big Game Awards an easy way to revisit hunting dreams

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, Opinion /

Like most everybody else who grew up a ruralist in the most rural part of rural Illinois, I spent a significant chunk of my childhood chasing rabbits and squirrels – all the while pretending I was chasing elk and grizzly bears.
A quirky imagination came in handy. As TV heroes go, far above the Six Million Dollar Man was Grizzly Adams, and I sort of remember dressing up like him and even occasionally sliding one of my mom’s butcher knives into my waistband – because it always seemed possible an angry mountain lion or hungry timber wolf might confront me from the coat closet.

Ralph Loos: Boone and Crockett Club’s Big Game Awards an easy way to revisit hunting dreams Read More »

Sampling shows bass continue to thrive in Illinois harbors

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

A total of 305 smallmouth bass and 140 largemouth bass were collected by DNR in three Illinois harbors and the shoreline inside Calumet Harbor last spring, with evidence that overall bass populations continue to grow in size and in numbers.
The results of the DNR sampling compliment annual anglers surveys that show since 2015, the number of smallmouth bass caught and released has ranged from 3,840 to a peak of 16,604 in 2022. In 2023, an estimated 9,870 smallmouth bass and 3,490 largemouth bass were caught and released in Illinois waters of Lake Michigan.

Sampling shows bass continue to thrive in Illinois harbors Read More »

Illinois DNR’s faulty handling of grants leads to advisory

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

Illinois DNR’s past inability to manage aspects of the federal grant process and its failures to meet fiscal demands has put the agency’s current administration in hot water with the federal government.
The U.S. Department of Interior confirmed this month that DNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie discovered and self-reported fiscal management failures after being appointed to her role in 2023. DNR’s self-reporting prompted federal officials to conduct a detailed audit and review.

Illinois DNR’s faulty handling of grants leads to advisory Read More »

Illinois turkey biologist expects solid spring season

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

In a professional move, the state’s top turkey biologist sidestepped the act of making a prediction for the upcoming spring season.
Only forecasting Illinois’ weather provides a wider margin for error. But, following a record harvest in 2024, Luke Garver did weigh in on the 2025 hunt, noting the many factors that go into a successful turkey season.

Illinois turkey biologist expects solid spring season Read More »

Ralph Loos: Time to raise the price for an Illinois fishing license

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

This typically is the time of year when I graciously warn you that I’m about to say something stupid – then follow it up by, well, saying something stupid.
It’s time Illinois raise the price for its fishing license. There, I said it. Sorry I forgot to warn you. March in our state is the month when we all come face-to-face with a vendor so we can legally fish and hunt for the next 12 months.

Ralph Loos: Time to raise the price for an Illinois fishing license Read More »

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