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Ralph Loos

Illinois spring fish surveys: DNR sampling results for crappies, muskies, and more

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, News /

A flurry of Facebook posts by DNR’s Division of Fisheries summarizing spring sampling activities at lakes around Illinois has anglers dusting off tackle boxes, respooling reels and gassing up boats. Fox Chain O Lakes, Siloam Springs Lake, Heidecke Lake, Carlyle Lake and Pittsfield Lake have been in the proverbial spotlight.

Illinois spring fish surveys: DNR sampling results for crappies, muskies, and more Read More »

Deer lottery application deadline comes and goes in Illinois with no problems reported

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, News /

The bug that bit the spring turkey application process back in November appears to not have an appetite for DNR’s online deer permitting system. Fingers crossed.
A first lottery application deadline for 2023 firearms and muzzleloader deer season permits came and went April 30 with no reports of  hunters running into any of the problems that hit turkey hunters as they applied for 2023 spring permits in the fall of 2022.

Deer lottery application deadline comes and goes in Illinois with no problems reported Read More »

Rice Lake in Illinois’ Fulton County offers anglers a ‘unique’ wildlife experience

Illinois, Lake Profile, Lake Profile /

Some would say the collection of fishing lakes that make up the complex known as Rice Lake is “for the birds” – and they would be correct.

Officially designated as an Important Birding Area, the wetlands is composed of 5,660 acres with shallow floodplain lakes and bottomland forest habitats. Spring and fall shore birds, waterfowl, herons and osprey are spotted in and around Rice Lake.

Rice Lake in Illinois’ Fulton County offers anglers a ‘unique’ wildlife experience Read More »

Legislation that could lead to Illinois DNR selling shooting and recreation complex moves to Senate

Featured, Illinois, National News, News /

Legislation that could lead to DNR selling the World Shooting and Recreation Complex passed the Illinois House by a vote of 101 to 1 before being sent to the Senate, where it landed in the Judiciary Committee on April 12.
The chief Senate sponsor of HB 3456 is Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro. Bryant, in an interview with Lee Newspapers’ Springfield bureau, said she “has heard from local government officials and business owners in the region who have expressed concerns about the future of the complex under state ownership.”

Legislation that could lead to Illinois DNR selling shooting and recreation complex moves to Senate Read More »

Shotgun hunters may find scrutiny in Illinois with new gun law now in effect

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, News /

The Protect Illinois Communities Act – the result of House Bill 5471, which became Public Act 102-1116 back on Jan. 10, went into effect April 10. In general it means gun owners can no longer be in public places with certain firearms. Along with high-capacity rifles and sizes of magazines, it also outlaws, for example, the use of some shotguns that are commonly used for snow goose hunting on public lands in the state. How hunters will be affected and how law enforcement officers will handle the Act have been unclear. 

Shotgun hunters may find scrutiny in Illinois with new gun law now in effect Read More »

Big changes coming to Illinois’ high school bass fishing series?

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

A pair of young anglers from deep southern Illinois accomplished quite a feat in late winter that somehow flew under most everybody’s radar.
Trevor Wilburn and Kagen Hill, both students at Century High School in Ullin, won the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series at Alabama’s Lay Lake. In a field of more than 2,002 squads, their total of 19 pounds, 5 ounces was roughly 4 pounds more than the second-place team.

Big changes coming to Illinois’ high school bass fishing series? Read More »

Salmon, trout remain top targets for Illinois charter boats on Lake Michigan

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, News /

Anglers using Illinois charter boats last year caught 26,138 salmon and trout on Lake Michigan.
While the total number of salmonids caught decreased by 23% compared to 2021, the catch rate actually rose from 47 fish per 100 angler-hours to 49 fish per 100 angler-hours. The long-term average over the past four decades is 44 fish per 100 hours.

Salmon, trout remain top targets for Illinois charter boats on Lake Michigan Read More »

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