Illinois’ statewide fishing report on March 27, 2026
Staff Report
March 27, 2026
April fishing set up by plenty of late March action. Here’s a look at the Illinois fishing report on March 27, 2026.
Illinois
Jeremiah Haas: Tackling the dreaded, but valuable, spring cleaning list
Jeremiah Haas
March 22, 2026
The beginning of 2026 has been relatively mild, causing outdoorsmen to get antsy about spring activities.
As we prepare for 2026 and the adventures we will seek out, care must be taken to ensure
Steve Sarley: Humbled by Illinois Conservation Foundation honor
Steve Sarley
March 20, 2026
I was named the Illinois “Outdoor Writer of the Year” by the Illinois Conservation Foundation and by DNR. I am totally awestruck by this. You know, this is only the second time this award has
Gretchen Steele: Finally, the first night back in the campground
Gretchen Steele
March 20, 2026
Every year, it happens the same way. Somewhere in late winter, after one too many gray afternoons and one too many evenings spent looking out the window instead of being out in the woods, the
Have .410 shotguns impacted Illinois turkey harvest? 2026 season could shed more light
Ralph Loos
March 19, 2026
DNR reported that hunters took a total of 882 turkeys during the 2025-26 archery season. That was a disappointing drop from the record harvest of 1,045 in 2024-25. But it was just above the five-year
Jo Daviess County family earns Illinois’ 2026 Leopold Conservation Award
Staff Report
March 18, 2026
Greg and Janis Thoren are the recipients of the 2026 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award. The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality, and
Hunting contests ban again proposed in Illinois legislature
Anthony Candia
March 18, 2026
Another attempt to outlaw hunting contests in Illinois arrived in the legislature this session – a measure similar to past efforts, including House Bill 2900, which passed the House in 2024 but failed to make
7-pounder a reminder that Jasper County’s Newton Lake is a top bass water in Illinois
Ralph Loos
March 17, 2026
The 7-pound, 8-ounce largemouth bass caught by Mya Russell in March 2025 contradicts biologists’ recent summaries of Newton Lake’s population of the species.
Then again, 7-pound bass tend to contradict summaries of all sorts.
Illinois’ Outdoor Calendar
Staff Report
March 17, 2026
A look at upcoming outdoors-related events from across Illinois published in the March 20, 2026 edition of Outdoor News.
