Wednesday, June 24th, 2026
My Account

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Search
My Account
Wednesday, June 24th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Subscribe to Outdoor News

Steve Sarley

Steve Sarley: Options for Illinois anglers wanting to try fishing from a rental boat

Featured, Features, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing /

Many fishermen dream of owning their own boat and launching it on various waterways where they dream about fishing. Unfortunately, the skyrocketing cost of boats is putting them out of reach of many people.
A good alternative is to find a spot that offers boats for rent. Many forest preserves in northern Illinois rent boats to the public, but unfortunately, these watercraft have to be propelled by oars. There are a few places I know of that offer boats for rent that have motors and are located on very good fishing waters, too.

Steve Sarley: Options for Illinois anglers wanting to try fishing from a rental boat Read More »

Steve Sarley: Illinois Gov. Pritzker quiet on fishing licenses; Copi hunt continues

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

It’s time to clean up a couple of issues that I still have open and brewing.
Issue No. 1 – I am receiving mail from readers asking me whether or not I had received an answer from Gov. JB Pritzker in regard to my letter requesting he act on Stacy Green-Fenlon from Chicago’s Park Bait Shop request for a change in the law on getting a fishing license.

Steve Sarley: Illinois Gov. Pritzker quiet on fishing licenses; Copi hunt continues Read More »

Steve Sarley: A Copi dining update – but let me first share a story

Featured, Fishing, Illinois /

I have been accused of being a guy who doesn’t know the meaning of the phrase “let me make a long story short.” I tend to do the opposite. Here I go again.
The topic I want to address is Copi – which, as most of you know, is the name Illinois DNR gave to invasive carp as a way to market the fish to consumers. It’s been a few years, and we’ve all be wondering how that effort is going. First, let me share a story that kind of relates to Copi’s situation.

Steve Sarley: A Copi dining update – but let me first share a story Read More »

Steve Sarley: Illinois legislature will have to fix fishing license blockade

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

The issue of needing a social security number to go fishing legally in Illinois is something that can be quickly rectified.
As I mentioned in my last column, Stacey Greene-Fenlon from the Park Bait Shop on Montrose and the lakefront in the City of Chicago brought up the subject in a letter she sent to me. She also sent letters to her elected officials.

Steve Sarley: Illinois legislature will have to fix fishing license blockade Read More »

Steve Sarley: New ID law in Illinois has negative affect on fishing license sales

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

One reason that I love fishing more than any other sport is because fishing is free of entanglements with unions, attorneys, drug scandals and, most annoying of all, politics. Here at Outdoor News, we also work hard to steer clear of political beefs.
So I was surprised to get an email from a reader who is reporting that politics is raising its head into the world of fishing.

Steve Sarley: New ID law in Illinois has negative affect on fishing license sales Read More »

Steve Sarley: Forward-facing sonar is anglers’ personal choice, but not mine

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

I was watching the recent Bassmaster Classic that was being streamed live on the Internet. I called my wife over to my computer and asked her to take a look at the screen and tell me what she was watching.
Please realize that the only time my bride will look at fish on a screen is when somebody like Bobby Flay is poaching a grouper on the Food Network. She obliged me and came over to take a look.

Steve Sarley: Forward-facing sonar is anglers’ personal choice, but not mine Read More »

Steve Sarley: Trey McKinney making Illinois anglers proud

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

It was another exciting Bassmaster Classic. Dylan Nutt took the lead on Saturday and cruised to victory after the third day. Nutt is only 23 years old.
The amazing thing about this Classic is that the second-place finisher was from Illinois. Would you have ever thought that a young stick from the Land of Lincoln would come so close to winning the largest event in the world of professional fishing? Trey McKinney is on the cusp of a Hall of Fame bass fishing career, and he is only 21 years old.

Steve Sarley: Trey McKinney making Illinois anglers proud Read More »

Steve Sarley: Dangers CPOs face come during dullest stops

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Illinois, Opinion /

I started repeating the tale about the time I went on a ride-along with DNR officers Rich Riedel and Eric Schreiber in 2011. I was used to people complaining that the DNR police had an easy job, so I didn’t expect my experience to be too exciting. How hard could it be, since many people called these officers “the squirrel police” and other derogatory terms.

Steve Sarley: Dangers CPOs face come during dullest stops Read More »

GET THE OUTDOOR NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

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)

Email Address(Required)
Password(Required)
Name
What outdoor activities interest you?(Required)

PLEASE READ

Accessing Your Full Subscription Just Got Easier. Introducing Single Sign On.

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Click Continue below.
  2. You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.
  3. Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!
  4. After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue.
  5. You’ll either:
    1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
    2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

One login. Every edition. Easy.

Let’s get you reading!

Continue...

PLEASE READ

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

• 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:

  1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
  2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

Continue...

Help Shape the Future of OutdoorNews.com!

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.

Take the Survey

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

Donate Today

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!

Sign Up Now

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.