First, I have to apologize to Todd Ring, the patient Huntley man who submitted a Letter to the Editor concerning the ongoing – and somewhat confusing even to firearms experts – legislation aimed at expanding the capacity of deer rifles and handguns in Illinois.
Actually, Ring sent me his thoughts – and I thought it was a great Letter to the Editor, so I asked if I could use it as such.
One of Illinois’ premier fishing holes has adjusted its crappie regulations this year following a huge spawn that has put too many smaller slabs in its water.
Meanwhile, a survey of Kinkaid Lake this month collected 52 muskies – including a female measuring 44.25 inches. Both fish species appear to be thriving in the 2,750-acre water.
Kinkaid Lake in Illinois gets new crappie regs; and survey sheds light on muskie fishery Read More »
DNR and the Illinois Farm Bureau are again working with federal agencies to get a handle on the growing black vulture population.
When it comes to the state’s “kettle” – a term for vultures soaring in circling formations – progress is still adrift. Bills in the U.S. House and Senate filed last spring – one by a Senator who is now serving at the Secretary of Homeland Security – both aimed to make it easier for farmers and employees to thin the population, but both measures stalled in the fall.
Nuisance permits for black vultures again available to Illinois farmers Read More »
Support for a regulation that would limit the state’s deer hunters to the harvest of one antlered deer per season instead of two has varied in recent years, but the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is prepared to make a decision on the much-debated issue next month.
The DNR’s recommendation for a “one buck rule” and a host of other deer rule changes could go up for vote at the Commission’s May 13 meeting.
Michigan DNR proposal of a one-buck limit could be voted on in May Read More »
Just a day or so after stepping into this role with Michigan Outdoor News, I was passed a note from Jon Gray, current president of the Michigan Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Gray wondered if we wanted to continue a construction project he and my predecessor, Bill Parker, had built a sturdy foundation for last spring. During the 2025 spring season, Outdoor News and the Michigan NWTF partnered to launch something that could someday equal our Best Buck Photo Contest, which for years has been wildly popular with the state’s deer hunters.
Four fish that earned spots in Michigan DNR’s Master Angler Program in 2025 came from Otter Lake – and three of the four were bass.
That bit of information likely comes as no surprise to anglers who frequent the 890-acre Houghton County water, which has enjoyed a reputation with the state’s bass anglers. What may be a surprise – a pleasant one at that – is that new classes of bass appear to be growing at a good pace.
Walleye stocking, bass catching still big at Otter Lake in Michigan’s Houghton County Read More »
Regulations aimed at parents who don’t pay child support is beginning to instead hook some fishermen visiting Illinois.
The catch: many cases popping up at bait shops that sell licenses have nothing to do with child support. Media reports have spotlighted bait shop owners having to turn away visiting anglers in recent weeks because a social security number is now required.
Requirement affecting sales of nonresident fishing licenses in Illinois Read More »
DNR fisheries biologists have described Lake Springfield’s balanced largemouth bass population as “heavily bodied.”
Every paddlefish landed while fishing on the Illinois River “must be taken into immediate possession and included in the daily harvest limit.”
This new regulation applies mostly to “snaggers,” and will not impact many anglers in Illinois, but it is one of a handful of site-specific rule changes that will go into effect April 1.
Handful of new Illinois fishing regulations go into effect April 1 Read More »
Sign up for the Outdoor News Weekly Newsletter and get 2 months of FREE access to OutdoorNews.com – packed with hunting, fishing, and conservation news. No Catch.
This offer includes digital access only (not the printed edition)
We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.
If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.
Let’s get you reading!
We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.
• Click Continue below.
• You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.
• Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!
• After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue. You’ll either:
If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.
We know you love the outdoors—now we want to make OutdoorNews.com the ultimate destination for all things hunting, fishing, and conservation.
Take our brief 3 minute survey to share your thoughts, and help us build the best outdoor website on the planet. As a thank you, we’ll send you a special offer!
Together, we can make OutdoorNews.com even better.
For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!
Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.
Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.
