Newsworthy Items Archives for 2002

If you see any newsworthy items, please send a link or copy of the item to Info@chicagofishinglinks.com.  Be sure to include your name, e-mail address and source of information.

2001 Archives    2003 Archives    Main News Page

The state size record for one of Indiana's favorite fish fell Dec. 11 when Scott Hoswell from Frankfort, Ill. reeled a 14.5-pound walleye from Lake Michigan breaking a mark that stood for 25 years. Hoswell was casting for brown trout outside Burns Harbor when the wall-eyed, toothy fish measuring more than 32 inches long ambushed his white crank bait. "The fish was bulldogging," said Hoswell. "I thought I had hooked a carp at first. It felt way too heavy to be a walleye." The Illinois angler said he became extremely excited when he saw the fish was a walleye. "I had to cool off, and stripped a bunch of clothes off after I got the fish in the boat," Hoswell said. And Hoswell's hot streak didn't end with a state record. He caught an 8-pound, 3-ounce walleye on his next cast.
The official biggest-ever, state-record brown trout was also recently pulled from Lake Michigan. Last fall, Mitchell Boilek from Hammond, Ind. caught a 25-pound brown trout along the outer wall of Buffington Harbor. Hoswell's record walleye is the seventh new state record fish caught this year. Record muskie, warmouth, wiper, buffalo, longnose gar and grass carp catches have also been certified in 2002. The previous state walleye record stood for 25 years. A Kankakee River walleye caught in 1974 and a Tippecanoe River walleye caught in 1977 were tied at 14 pounds, 4 ounces each. The Indiana record fish program tracks the largest fish of 49 species caught with hook and line in the state.
The gift of "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" Treat a favorite female on your holiday gift list to three days of outdoor adventure at the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman camp, held near West Lafayette in May. Participants can choose from curricula covering fly fishing, outdoor cooking, target shooting, backpacking, horseback riding and much more. Tuition, meals and lodging are only $160 per person. For more information, contact Theresa Mack at (317) 232-4194 or tmack@dnr.state.in.us.

12/11/02

NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

REMINDER: Sangchris Lake State Park will close the lake to boaters and anglers during the firearm deer hunting season Dec. 5-8. The lake will be closed due to firearm deer hunting on adjacent lands. Other hunting activities will continue at the park, with some access restrictions. For more information, contact the park office at 217/498-9208.
* * *
As an additional reminder, the McHenry Dam Day Use Area is still closed during construction, and will likely remain closed until Memorial Day. Visitors must not enter the area or attempt to access the Fox River Trail.

These closures are for public safety reasons and cooperation is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please contact the park office at 815/385-1624. Moraine Hills State Park is located at 914 S. River Rd, McHenry, IL.
* * *
Proposed changes to Department of Natural Resources administrative rules are now open for public comment. Details of those changes are available on the Department's web site at: http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/rule-status.htm.

Among the rules are: Injurious Species (Ill. Adm. Code 805), deadline to comment is Dec. 30; Sport Fishing Regulations for the Waters of Illinois (17 Ill. Adm. Code 810), deadline to comment is Dec. 30; Aquaculture, Transportation, Stocking, Importation and/or Possession of Aquatic Life (Ill. Adm. Code 870), deadline to comment is Dec. 30. Comments regarding these rules can be sent by the listed deadlines to the Legal Office of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702-1272.

A response regarding changes in the nuisance wildlife control permit rule can also be found on the web site.
* * *
A host of special events are upcoming through the Disabled Outdoors Program. For more information on the Disabled Outdoors Program or to find out what is going on in your area, log on to http://dnr.state.il.us/doo/index.htm or call Jay Williams at 618/439-9111.

From the Indiana DNR:

Anglers call for Lake James walleye stocking

An Indiana DNR proposal to stock walleye in the Lake James chain of lakes in Steuben County has received a strong show of support from anglers.

Over the past couple of months, more than 140 anglers voiced their opinions on a proposal to stock 190,000 1- to 2-inch walleye annually into Jimmerson Lake, Lake James and Snow Lake. More than 90 percent of those voiced complete support. Local angler Lynn Champion also submitted a 369-signature petition supporting the proposal.

According to Larry Koza, DNR fisheries biologist, recent studies have shown that the Lake James chain has promising walleye habitat.

"These three lakes offer the best hope of fingerling survival. If the fish do well, we expect they'll migrate into the other lakes in the chain, creating even more fishing opportunity," said Koza.

With public support behind the proposal, DNR biologists will consider the plan's effects on state hatchery production and state-wide walleye stocking.

"It's not a done deal," said Koza. "The very important public input process is complete. Now we'll look at our state-wide stocking plans and see if we can make this plan a reality."

For additional information on the proposal, contact Larry Koza at (260) 829-6241 or lkoza@dnr.state.in.us.

* * *
When in doubt, don't go out -- beware of thin ice

Thin sheets of ice have formed across many Indiana ponds and lakes as temperatures have plummeted in the past few weeks. If temperatures stay low, ice-covered lakes will attract thousands of anglers, skaters, snowmobilers and hikers.

"People really enjoy getting out on the ice. It's like walking on water," said Captain Michael Crider, outdoor safety education director for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Crider offers advice to people to ensure that they stay on top of the ice, and not under it.

"Most importantly, warn your kids about playing on frozen lakes and streams. Kids should never go out on ice without it being checked by an adult and without close supervision," said Crider.

To test the thickness of ice, drill a hole near shore with an ice auger. The test hole should show at least a four-inch thickness of clear ice like you get from your freezer. Be aware of various ice strengths and qualities. One area of a pond may be a foot thick while another spot of ice may only be an inch thick. Ice strength can also change. Thick ice is rotten after rain. Old honey-combed ice, slush ice or ice with current under it is also dangerous. New ice is almost always stronger that old ice. Wind, waterfowl and beavers can also keep areas of ice thin. Slush is a danger sign. Slush indicates that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom. Slush also
indicates weak or deteriorated ice.

Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong. It can also insulate it to keep it from freezing. When ice is covered by snow, great precautions need to be taken to determine ice thickness before starting any activity. Snow can also hide cracked, weak and open water areas.

Crider recommends wearing a life vest for extra safety and warmth when venturing onto the ice.

"Ice is deceptive, so you need to be prepared even on thick ice. A comfortable life vest fits well under large, warm coats, and it can be the difference between life and death if you fall through the ice," said Crider.

Use these guidelines to judge the safety of fresh solid ice:
- When in doubt, don't go out
- Less than four inches -- stay off
- Four inches of ice is needed for safe ice fishing.
- Five inches of ice is needed for snowmobiling.
- Eight inches of ice is needed to support the weight of a car or light
truck.
- Ten inches of ice is needed to support a medium weight truck.

Reports on current fishing and ice conditions at many DNR properties are available at: http://www.ai.org/serv/dnr_fishingreport

11/30/02

OUTDOOR PROGRAMS FOR THE DISABLED

A host of special events are upcoming through the Disabled Outdoors Program. For more information on the Disabled Outdoors Program or to find out what is going on in your area, log on to http://dnr.state.il.us/doo/index.htm or call Jay Williams at 618/439-9111.11/18/02

IMPROVING MUSKIE FISHING IN ILLINOIS GOAL OF PROJECT GREEN GENE

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - Lake Mingo at Kennekuk County Park north of Danville was stocked recently with three different genetic strains of muskies as part of a research project being coordinated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources intended to improve muskie fishing in the state.

"This research - known as Project Green Gene - will test which genetics work best in enhancing growth rates and survival among muskies stocked in Illinois waters," said IDNR Director Brent Manning. "It will allow science to help eliminate the guessing game in muskie stocking and will help us improve the fishery in all parts of the state."

Primary funding for the five-year, $38,000 per year project comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the IDNR through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program. In addition, the Central Illinois Muskie Hunters (CIMH) chapter of Muskies, Inc. has applied $7,500 in grant funds received by the organization from the Illinois Conservation Foundation to support the research and stocking project.

"Project Green Gene is an excellent example of state and federal natural resources officials working with an important private organization like the Central Illinois Muskie Hunters to make fishing better for everyone in Illinois," Manning said.

The CIMH is funding the purchase of electronic tags being used to mark and monitor the stocked fish, as well as acquiring fish from the famed Leech Lake strain of muskies purchased from a vendor in Minnesota. The Leech Lake strain is known to grow to weights of 50 pounds or more. Other strains of muskie being stocked for the project are from Kentucky and from Spring Lake in Tazewell County. Muskies taken from Spring Lake are of a variety of genetic strains acquired in previous exchanges with other states.

Illinois Natural History Survey researchers David Wahl and Matt Diana are coordinating the research project. They will monitor the fish at Lake Mingo, as well as fish in future stockings, to study their growth and survival rates, determine which fish become larger more quickly, gauge the water temperature and feeding preferences of the fish, and study a number of other life history factors.

"The idea is to maximize the size, growth rate, survivability and life span of Illinois muskies," said IDNR Fisheries chief Mike Conlin. "If one genetic strain shows the ability to perform better overall, that will help us know which strain or strains are best for Illinois waters."

Lake Mingo is a 180-acre lake north of Danville owned by the Vermilion County Conservation District. Its fishery is managed by the IDNR. It was selected for the stocking study because it is typical of lakes stocked with muskie in Illinois due to its abundant supply of gizzard shad to provide forage for the larger fish. Prior to the recent stocking, Lake Mingo was not known to be home to muskies.

"Lake Mingo is large enough and deep enough to grow a substantial muskie population, while it is small enough for researchers to recapture muskies for their studies," said Duane Serck, president of the Central Illinois Muskie Hunters. "We are proud to be part of such an exciting study that will have a major impact on the future of fishing in Illinois."

Missouri is conducting similar research using two genetic strains of muskies. In addition to the Kentucky and Minnesota strains and the Illinois-raised fish from Spring Lake, the INHS researchers expect to add muskies from Wisconsin and perhaps Ohio to the study. Other lakes that may be used in the study include Forbes Lake at Stephen A. Forbes State Park in Marion County in southern Illinois and at Pierce Lake at Rock Cut State Park in Winnebago County in northern Illinois.

Illinois' current state record 39 pound 8 ounce muskie was taken earlier this year from the tailwaters of Lake Shelbyville in Shelby County.

11/10/02

Daley, U.S., Canadian Mayors Push Great Lakes Protection Plan

Mayor Richard M. Daley and mayors from other Great Lakes cities announced today that they intend to assume a leadership role in developing plans for the long-term protection and restoration of the Great Lakes.

Following a conference hosted by Daley at the John Hancock Center, the mayors said they intend to ask the U.S. Congress and the Canadian Parliament to fund a detailed plan for Great Lakes protection and restoration.

The plan would be developed by an independent panel of scientists, public policy experts and mayors. It would guide future legislative action and direct funding priorities. "We believe mayors deserve a stronger role in developing policies and programs affecting the Great Lakes," Daley said.

"Mayors make day-to-day decisions regarding the lakes: providing safe beaches, repairing shorelines, controlling wastewater discharges, conserving drinking water, regulating lakefront development and dealing with invasive species," Daley said. "What happens to these lakes has a direct impact on our ability to create and sustain vibrant cities where people want to live, work, play and raise a family.

The mayors noted that numerous governmental agencies are responsible for regulating the Great Lakes, in areas ranging from water levels to fish populations to trade. Yet municipal leaders are not well-represented in these agencies, and mayors have not previously spoken with one voice in calling for coordinated action on Great Lakes issues.

"I believe the mayors will be aggressive and effective advocates for the Great Lakes," Daley said. "We deal with the lakes on a daily basis, we understand their importance to our constituents and we are committed to keeping the lakes free of contamination."

Daley said Lake Michigan is "absolutely vital to the quality of life in Chicago."

He noted that the lake provides drinking water for Chicago and 121 suburbs, while "the lakefront provides tremendous cultural and recreational opportunities for our residents, as well as the 30 million tourists and business travelers who pour some $20 billion into the Chicago area economy each year.

"Our city's visitors and residents flock to Navy Pier, the Lincoln Park Zoo and our lakefront museums and festivals. They enjoy our 18-mile lakefront path, our 24 beaches and our 5,200 public boat slips, as well as the beautiful parks that line much of the lakefront.

"I believe we have a responsibility to make our lakefront an even greater asset to the city, and that's why we are moving ahead with the reconstruction of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the re-development of the South Works site and the building of Millennium Park.

"Each city represented at today's conference is dependent on the Great Lakes in its own way," the Mayor said, "and this is why we believe the Great Lakes must be managed collaboratively and comprehensively."

Today's conference attracted representatives from 23 cities around the Great Lakes, some of whom had attended a regional meeting Daley held in Chicago in May. Among the cities represented today were Rochester, Cleveland, Toledo, Milwaukee, and Gary, as well as Toronto, Montreal and St. Catherines, Ontario.

Governor Ryan Releases $2 Million in Funding for Illinois Rivers 2020 Planning and Restoration Projects
SPRINGFIELD – Governor George H. Ryan today released $2 million in funding for Illinois River basin restoration, part of his Illinois Rivers 2020 initiative.

The funding will provide a state match for more than $5 million from the Water Resources Development Act.

“This funding will allow completion of a comprehensive plan for Illinois River basin restoration, and allow us to continue work on a number of critically important projects at key locations along the river and in the watershed,” Ryan said. “Our partnership with the federal government, local organizations and private landowners who strongly support restoration of the Illinois River is providing a model for the nation in protecting this vitally important natural resource.”

Illinois Rivers 2020 is Governor Ryan’s 20-year, $2.5 billion initiative aimed at restoration and watershed enhancement throughout the Illinois River basin. Since 1998, Illinois has committed more than $51.3 million to secure more than $292 million in federal funding through Illinois Rivers 2020 and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

The comprehensive plan will identify restoration needs, focusing on river sedimentation, sediment removal technology, sediment transport and beneficial uses of sediment material removed from the river channel, tributaries and backwater lakes. The plan will also investigate and implement improvements in monitoring of watershed conditions and restoration projects.

Six critical river restoration projects are planned for this year, pending federal funding approval. They include:

Waubonsie Creek (Kane County) - The project will focus on providing fish passage at dams at the lower end of Waubonsie Creek and restoring stream habitat in the creek. Waubonsie Creek flows into the Fox River near Oswego.

Pekin Lake (Tazewell County) - Planning for restoration of backwater lake habitat at Pekin Lake, adjacent to the Illinois River at Pekin, will focus on sediment removal, aquatic and floodplain habitat improvement.

Iroquois River (Iroquois County) - To reduce sediment flow on the upper Iroquois River watershed, a tributary of the Kankakee River. The project will evaluate streambank stabilization and restoration of floodplain wetlands on the main channel and on Sugar Creek, the river’s major tributary, near Watseka.

McKee Creek (Adams, Brown and Pike counties) - Streambank and streambed stabilization on the lower end of McKee Creek and on two of its small tributary subwatersheds in Brown and Pike counties will be evaluated as ways to reduce the flow of sediment into the lower Illinois River. McKee Creek flows into the Illinois River south of Chambersburg in Pike County.

Blackberry Creek (Kane and Kendall counties) - Providing fish passage at the 10-foot dam near the confluence of Blackberry Creek and the Fox River near Yorkville in Kendall County will be examined as a means to improve fish access to the creek’s high-quality habitat.

Kankakee River (Kankakee, Grundy and Will counties) - The project will survey the adverse impacts of sedimentation on aquatic habitat on the Kankakee River upstream of the dam at Kankakee in Kankakee County. The confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers forms the Illinois River.

These projects are in addition to continued work on the Peoria Lake Restoration near Peoria. This state-federal initiative will restore ecosystem function in Peoria Lake by removing sediment to create deep water habitat for aquatic life, creating islands using sediment removed from the Peoria Lake bottom to provide more diverse habitat, investigating other beneficial uses of removed sediment, and further reducing sedimentation of Peoria Lake from Farm Creek and other tributaries.

NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

Illinois recently reported its first confirmed case of chronic wasting disease when a tissue sample taken from an adult female deer in Winnebago County tested positive for CWD. Hunters and others wanting general information about the disease, what they need to know if they are hunting in Illinois or out of state, and new information as it becomes available should check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources web site at the following web address: http://dnr.state.il.us/pubaffairs/2002/CWD.htm.

* * *

REMINDER: The Department of Natural Resources Region 2 office is moving from its current location in Spring Grove to a new office at Tri-County State Park in Bartlett. The new office and phone number are effective December 1. The new address is Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Region 2 Office, 2050 West Stearns Road, Bartlett, IL 60103 847/608-3100. Please make a note of the change.

* * *

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) will administer a written eligibility exam for Illinois Conservation Police Officer trainees on Mon., Nov. 18 at CMS testing centers statewide. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources hopes to hire up to 25 new officers next year, with training scheduled to begin in April 2003.

Trainees must be willing to accept assignment anywhere in Illinois. CPO trainees learn all aspects of conservation law enforcement, including fish and wildlife, parks, and boating law, as well as general law enforcement, criminal and traffic law.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of hiring, must have a bachelors degree or an associates degree with three years continuous police experience with the same law enforcement agency. Applicants must pass a physical test as well as a swimming test.

Additional employment information is available on the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/law3/careernew.htm

Anyone wishing to apply may download a job application from the CMS web site at www.state.il.us/cms/persnl/download/cms100.pdf
or contact the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702, phone 217/782-6431.

Applications must be filed with CMS by Nov. 8 to insure proper processing and notification of testing information.

* * *

Indiana DNR News

Grass carp dealer arrested

A Jefferson County man was arrested recently for illegally selling grass carp.
Patrick W. Courtney held a license to sell grass carp in Indiana, but failed to comply with rules for stocking the fish in buyers' ponds.
Grass carp, an Asian fish species, feed on some aquatic plants. Pond owners use the fish as a biological control to prevent overgrowth of plants.
Indiana DNR conservation officers were tipped off by reports of a stocking truck selling grass carp to people who took the fish away in bags. Officers arrested and jailed Courtney after an plain-clothes officer purchased grass carp from him. Courtney now awaits trial. He faces a maximum penalty of $500 fine and 60 days in jail
Most states, including Indiana, carefully control the sale and stocking of grass carp due to concerns about potential destruction of aquatic habitat and fisheries resources in state waters.
It is legal to stock grass carp in private ponds, but the fish must be genetically altered so that they are sterile. Each fish must be tested to prove it is sterile before it can be sold. Licensed dealers or their employees are required to stock the fish personally and report the number of fish and address where each grass carp is stocked to the DNR.
"We want to make sure that when grass carp escape into public streams and lakes, there is no chance that they will reproduce and overpopulate.  Prolific exotic species, such as snakehead and many carp species, have the potential to overrun Indiana's natural bass and bluegill fisheries. We need to protect against that," said Dr. Gwen White, DNR fisheries biologist.
Grass carp typically sell in Indiana for around $10 for an 8 to 10 inch fish.
Many privately owned hatcheries in Indiana and the Midwest legally sell grass carp and other fish species for ponds. A list of licensed grass carp suppliers is available at: http://www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/fishing/carp.htm
Information about managing ponds for fishing is available at: http://www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/publications/fsmgt/fishpd.htm

10/13/02

New Co-Host on CLTV's "The Great Outdoors"

CLTV's "The Great Outdoors" has added Steve Sarley "Midwest Outdoors" as Steve Kashul's co-host. Sarley replaces long time co-host Chauncey Niziol who was fired after a racial incident that occurred on a recent live broadcast.
The incident in question occurred on the Sept. 26th show that had an appearance by a spokesman for the Northern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days who was dressed in black hunting camouflage and a turkey-feather hat. During the course of the show, Kashul joked about the man looking like "Aunt Jemima".
Along with firing Niziol, CLTV suspended Kashul and issued an on-air apology to it's viewers. Management is also requiring it's entire staff to attend a sensitivity training session.
Steve Sarley is a contributing editor to the Illinois Section of the popular "Midwest Outdoors", and has a wealth of knowledge that will be of great interest to the viewers of the show. Chicago Fishing Links would like to wish Steve Sarley all the best.

Reminder:

Heidecke, Braidwood and LaSalle lakes are now closed to fishing.
* * *
AUTUMN IS PRIME TIME FOR DEER-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - Motorists are urged to slow down and be alert to the presence of deer on and near roadways in Illinois during the autumn, the peak season for deer-vehicle collisions in the state, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning said today.
"White-tailed deer are active throughout the year and there is never really a downtime for deer-vehicle collisions, but autumn is prime time," Manning said. "Fall is the breeding season for deer and they are more likely to be on the move and less cautious near roadways."
More than 22,900 deer-vehicle accidents were reported on Illinois roadways in 2001.
"Accidents involving deer occur most often on roads near good deer habitat, including wooded corridors, stream and river beds, farm field edges and fence rows," said IDNR Forest Wildlife Program Manager Paul Shelton. "With increased traffic in rural and suburban areas, chances are greater than ever that deer are going to be in the same places as commuters and others drivers."
Shelton said drivers need to recognize when they are traveling in deer habitat areas and be ready to react should deer be present.
"Even in urban areas, deer can thrive in parks, forest preserves or even wooded subdivisions where cover, food and water are available," Shelton said. "Especially in the fall when deer are more active and ranging more widely, motorists need to slow down and stay alert."
Among the suggestions to motorists to avoid deer-vehicle accidents:
Keep track of locations where deer have been seen in the past to avoid being surprised by deer crossings.
Be especially cautious at dusk through the early evening hours and in the hours before sunrise, the times of day when deer are most active.
Reduce speed and be prepared to stop on roads where deer may be present, especially areas near streams or rivers, farm field edges, wooded and densely vegetated areas. A single deer near a road may be followed by several others. Don't assume the deer will proceed directly across the roadway. They may stop and turn back.
Drivers encountering deer on the roadway should try flashing their headlights from bright to dim or honking the horn on their vehicle to try to encourage the deer to move on.
Drivers encountering deer on or near the road can alert other motorists by tapping the brakes. Drivers should avoid swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road if they see deer on the roadway and instead slow to a stop and wait for the deer to move along.
In the event of an accident, motorists and passengers involved should provide assistance to anyone injured. Do not attempt to remove a dead or injured deer from a busy roadway. Instead, contact local, county or state law enforcement officials. Illinois law requires all accidents resulting in damage of $500 or more be reported and an accident report filed with the police.
The driver of a motor vehicle involved in a vehicle-deer collision has priority in taking possession of the deer. If the driver does not want the deer, any Illinois resident may claim the animal. Anyone possessing the deer must keep a personal record of the date the deer was claimed, the sex of the animal, the location of the accident, and the place where the deer or deer parts are stored. This information must be kept until the deer is consumed or no longer in the possession of any person. This information must be provided to any law enforcement officer investigating the death and possession of the deer.
Those taking possession of vehicle-killed deer are no longer required to make a phone report and obtain a registration number for the deer unless the deer is taken to a taxidermist or tannery. If the deer is to be taken to a taxidermist or tannery, please call the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement at 217/782-6431 to obtain a tag before delivering the deer.
* * *
Proposed changes to Department of Natural Resources administrative rules are now open for public comment. Details of those changes are available on the Department's web site at: http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/rule-status.htm
* * *
Director's Muskie Tournament Results:

Alan Foster of Shelbyville and Paul Hortenstine of Joliet won first-place prize money of $1,000 at the 7th annual Director's Muskie Tournament on Lake Shelbyville, held Oct. 5-6. The winners' two-day catch of four muskies totaled 142 inches. Second place was awarded to the team of Troy Smith of Dallas, Texas and Dorothy Smith of Kankakee with four muskies totaling 138-and-3/4 inches, good for second-place prize money of $500. The team of Sam Gallucci of Bolingbrook and Dan Pikowski of Bolingbrook caught three muskies totaling 107 inches and received third-place prize money of $250. The longest fish award and $300 in prize money was presented to Ron McGovern of Bloomington and Joe DeBoy of Bloomington. Their 44-and-3/4- inch muskie was hooked by McGovern and netted by DeBoy. A total of 71 boats participated in the tournament, with 28 different teams catching a total of 45 muskie. The Director's Muskie tournament is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Ranger Boats. It is hosted by the Illinois Conservation Foundation and Eagle Creek State Park. Proceeds are used to improve muskie fishing on Lake Shelbyville and for youth hunting, fishing and education programs.

ILLINOIS FALL TROUT SEASON OPENS OCTOBER 19

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning today announced that the state's annual fall catchable trout program season opens on Oct. 19 at 5 a.m., with trout stocked in 35 ponds and lakes throughout the state.

"Thousands of Illinois residents and visitors enjoy fishing during the autumn and the fall trout season is one of the highlights," Manning said. "While the season officially opens at 5 a.m. on October 19, not all of the stocked locations will be open that early, so be sure to call ahead of time."

No trout may be taken at any of the 35 stocked sites from Oct. 1 until the program's legal opening at 5 a.m. on Oct. 19. More than 70,000 trout will be stocked prior to the opening day of the season. Each of the stocked trout is approximately 10-12 inches long and weighs about one-half pound.

To take trout legally beginning Oct. 19, anglers must have a fishing license and an inland trout stamp, unless they are under 16 years of age, blind or disabled, or an Illinois resident on leave from the Armed Forces. The catch limit for each angler is five trout per day.

For more information, contact the IDNR Division of Fisheries at 217/782-6424 or at any one of the five IDNR regional offices: Region I, Sterling, 815/625-2968; Region II, Yorkville, 630/553-6680; Region III, Champaign, 217/278-5773; Region IV, Alton, 618/462-1181; Region V, Benton, 618/435-8138.

Illinois fishing licenses and inland trout stamps are available at bait shops, sporting goods stores and other vendors, at IDNR regional offices, Springfield and Chicago offices, or with a credit card on the Department of Natural Resources web site at http://dnr.state.il.us

For more information about site regulations, anglers should contact individual sites that will be stocked with catchable-size trout. The 35 locations are:

• Siloam Springs State Park - Adams County, 217/894-6205

• Greenville Old City Lake - Bond County, 618/664-2330

• Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park - Bureau County, 815/454-2328

• Campus Pond at Eastern Illinois University - Coles County, 217/345-2420

• Axehead Lake - Cook County, 847/294-4134

• Belleau Lake - Cook County, 847/294-4134

• Crawford County Conservation Area Pond - Crawford County, 618/563-4405

• Villa Grove West Lake - Douglas County, 217/443-0529

• Boston Pond at Stephen A. Forbes Park - Marion County, 618/547-3381

• Mount Vernon Game Farm Pond - Jefferson County, 618/547-3610

• Ferne Clyffe State Park - Johnson County, 618/995-2411

• Bird Park Quarry in Kankakee - Kankakee County, 630/553-6680

• Big Lake at Silver Springs State Park - Kendall County, 630/553-6297

• Banana Lake - Lake County, 815/675-2319.

• Sand Lake at Illinois Beach State Park - Lake County, 847/662-4811

• Faries Park Pond in Decatur - Macon County, 217/345-2420

• Beaver Dam Lake - Macoupin County, 217/854-8020

• Highland Old City Lake - Madison County, 618/931-8901

• Fairgrounds Pond at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis - Massac County, 618/524-4712

• Argyle Lake at Argyle Lake State Park - McDonough County, 309/776-3422

• Randolph County State Fish and Wildlife Area Lake - Randolph County, 618/826-2706

• Prospect Pond in Moline - Rock Island County, 815/454-2759

• Frank Holten State Park Lake - St. Clair County, 618/874-7920

• Jones Park Lake in East St. Louis - St. Clair County, 618/847-7920

• Willow Lake at Peabody River State Fish and Wildlife Area - St. Clair Co., 618/785-2555

• Jones State Lake at Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area - Saline County, 618/276-4405

• IDOT Lake in Springfield - Sangamon County, 217/632-3841

• Washington Park Pond in Springfield - Sangamon County, 217/632-3841

• Forest Park Lagoon in Shelbyville - Shelby County, 217/345-2420

• Mineral Springs Park Lagoon in Pekin - Tazewell County, 309/347-5119

• Clear Lake at Kickapoo State Park - Vermilion County, 217/442-4915

• Beall Woods Lake in Beall Woods State Park - Wabash County, 618/298-2442

• Citizen's Lake in Monmouth - Warren County, 309/344-2617

• Sam Dale Trout Pond at Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area - Wayne County, 618/835-2292

• Coleta Trout Pond, just west of Coleta - Whiteside County, 815/454-2759.

* * *

MANNING ELECTED PRESIDENT OF IAFWA

BIG SKY, MONTANA --Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning was elected president of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at its fall meeting today in Big Sky, Montana.

"I am deeply honored that my fellow directors have selected me to lead them during the next year," Manning said. "Working together, we have made tremendous progress in the management of fish and wildlife across the United States. I hope we continue our strong partnerships and expand them during the coming year."

Manning most recently has served as the Vice President of the IAFWA, is a member of its Executive Committee and several other committees, including legislative, federal budget, audit and the Ad Hoc Committee on Baiting, spearheading changes in federal migratory waterfowl baiting regulations.

Manning is the longest serving Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in the history of the agency, and its predecessor agency, the Department of Conservation, having held the post since April 1991. During his tenure, Illinois has acquired more than 85,000 acres of additional lands for recreation, including two of its largest parks; developed the largest land acquisition program in state history; created innovative habitat restoration programs (Conservation 2000 and Illinois Rivers 2020/CREP) that have become national models; and created the Illinois Conservation Foundation, which has raised $15 million for DNR programs. He developed Illinois' Conservation Congress, greatly expanding communication with constituents; and has focused on natural resources education, creating a teacher training program and increasing outdoor sporting opportunities for youth, women and disabled individuals.

Manning said he and his colleagues need to do more to educate young people about natural resources. He called on the IAFWA and the Council on Environmental Education to convene a national symposium that would lay the foundation for a national vision on natural resources education, a vision that would touch every child in the United States.

"Our culture is losing its connection to the natural world. The need to educate young people about the natural resources of this land, while always important, is growing in significance every day," Manning said. "There are more than 70 million young people under age 18 who will lead our nation in the future, designing and determining tomorrow's policies. The actions we undertake now will determine whether tomorrow's leaders will have the knowledge and skills they need to enhance the natural resources of this land for generations to come."

The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, founded in 1902 by wildlife managers from just six states, now represents all 50 state fish and wildlife agencies, as well as the provincial and federal governments in Canada and Mexico. The IAFWA acts as a collective voice for the agencies charged with managing and protecting wildlife. The organization deals with issues ranging from acid rain and pesticides to exotic animals, public lands, migratory wildlife and wetlands. It continues to lead a national coalition to expand funding and constituencies for fish and wildlife restoration and management.

* * *

Did you know?
The Department of Natural Resources has implemented new emergency rules to help prevent chronic wasting disease from coming to Illinois. Those rules include banning the feeding of wild deer and other wildlife in areas where wild deer are present. The ban includes food, salt, mineral blocks and other food products, with some exceptions. For example, bird and squirrel feeders close to homes and incidental feeding of wildlife within active livestock operations, are exempt from the ban. Bait sites where deer congregate have the potential to contribute to the spread of various diseases that are transmitted by animal to animal contact. Eliminating this practice will enhance our chances of controlling CWD in the event it enters Illinois and will also lessen the spread of other diseases among the deer herd. For a complete list of the exemptions see the rule on the Department's web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/635-emergency.htm.

* * *

Did you know?
Last year 82 million people in the United States (39 percent of the population age 16 and older) participated in wildlife recreation activities, such as fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. Those individuals spent an estimated $108 billion on their activities. Sixty-six million people in this country say they are wildlife watchers. For more information look on the web at http://federalaid.fws.gov.

* * *

REMINDER: The Illinois Conservation Foundation’s first-ever Southern Illinois Golf Benefit will be held on Monday, October 7 at Kokopelli Golf Club in Marion. The four-person scramble competition will begin with registration and breakfast at 8 a.m., a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m., and will conclude with lunch and awards at 2:30 p.m. The registration fee is $100 per person, which includes breakfast and lunch, golf, cart, range balls, refreshments, prizes and gifts. Hole sponsorships are also available for $150. Proceeds will benefit the ICF's Avery International Goose Calling Invitational and Waterfowl Hunt. To register or for more information, contact Ron Allen, Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/785-9371.

* * *

LARGEMOUTH BASS VIRUS UPDATE: Tests conducted in Illinois in August found the presence of largemouth bass virus (LMBV) in three bodies of water, while tests at another location and at two state fish hatcheries found that the virus was not present.

The tests, conducted as part of nationwide research into the virus, found fish testing positive for LMBV in Channel Lake in McHenry County, Lake Michigan at North Point Marina in Lake County, and at Lake Vermilion in Vermilion County. Fish tested negative for LMBV at Skokie Lagoons in Cook County. At the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Jake Wolf fish hatchery in Mason County and Little Grassy fish hatchery in Williamson County, fingerling largemouth bass tested negative for LMBV.

"While we did find largemouth bass virus in three of the four lakes we tested this year, there have been no fish kills reported anywhere in Illinois attributed to the virus," said Mike Conlin, IDNR Fisheries Chief. "Presence of the virus doesn't mean fish have the disease, or that they will get it in the future. Research indicates the virus is triggered by a combination of stress factors, including high water temperatures, low oxygen levels and frequent handling of the fish."

LMBV was first noted in connection with a fish die off in South Carolina in 1995 and has since been found in at least 15 other states. Scientists are unsure how it is transmitted and why it sometimes kills bass. Most fish carrying the virus appear normal. Once the virus is triggered, dying bass have trouble swimming as the disease attacks their swim bladder.

The virus does not affect warm-blooded animals, including humans. Fish with LMBV are safe to handle and to eat.

Anglers can minimize the impact of LMBV by handling bass as gently as possible; by draining water from bilge and live wells and by cleaning boats and trailers between fishing trips; by not moving fish or fish parts from one body of water to another; and, by conducting bass tournaments during cooler weather, limiting stress caused by fishing pressure and low oxygen levels.

In previous Illinois LMBV tests in 2001, fish from four downstate lakes tested positive for LMBV. Of the fish tested at the Jake Wolf and Little Grassy hatcheries in 2001, brood fish (adults) and fingerling bass that were fin clipped for research purposes tested positive for LMBV. All other fish tested at the hatcheries last year tested negative for the virus.

Illinois will continue to test bass in 2003 as part of the continuing nationwide research protocol regarding largemouth bass virus.

* * *

The 7th annual Director’s Muskie Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 4-6 at Eagle Creek State Park. During the past few years, this event has become one of Lake Shelbyville's most popular fishing traditions. For more information or to register, contact the park office at 217/756-8260.

* * *

NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAYS TO BE CELEBRATED IN ILLINOIS SEPT. 28-29

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois will celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Days Sept. 28-29 with events at Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area near Yorkville and at John A. Logan College in Carterville.

"National Hunting and Fishing Days celebrates the great traditions and heritage of hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation in America, and we're proud to participate in the northern Illinois and southern Illinois festivals," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning. "These annual events are one way of recognizing and highlighting the contributions of hunters and anglers to natural resources stewardship and fish and wildlife conservation in Illinois."

The southern Illinois event on the John A. Logan College campus is traditionally the largest National Hunting and Fishing Days event in the nation. Activities at Carterville are scheduled on Sat., Sept 28 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sun., Sept. 29 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Parking and admission are free.

The southern Illinois celebration includes a kids activity area featuring fishing, archery and shooting sports; kids art contest; seminars on fishing, game preparation and outdoor cooking; a buckskinner's village and tomahawk throwing area; boat, RV and ATV displays and demonstrations; taxidermy displays and competition; retriever dog demonstrations; Brody, the 1,200-pound Kodiak grizzly bear; trap range; kayak and canoe demonstrations; art and heritage show; historical fishing gear exhibition in the John A. Logan College Museum; a climbing wall; vendor displays; and, a wild game chili cook-off competition.

The northern Illinois celebration at Silver Springs SFWA features free admission and free hands-on activities for all ages from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28-29. Activities include canoe rides; fly casting and tying demonstrations; guided nature walks; a historical re-enactment encampment; hunting dog demonstrations; falconry demonstrations; seminars on trapping, deer, turkey and waterfowl hunting; trap, BB gun and archery ranges and instruction; paintball shooting; RV, ATV and boat displays; wildlife exhibits; the 5,000-gallon Hawg Trough fish tank program; a kids fishing pond; and, more than 60 exhibitors and vendors.

The National Hunting and Fishing Days celebrations in Illinois are made possible through sponsors and patrons, the Northern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days and Southern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days committees, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

For additional information, contact IDNR Public Events and Promotions by calling 217/785-8955.

09/12/02

NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

NEW ON THE WEB: Information for landowners regarding the types of natural resource assistance available to them is on the Department of Natural Resources web site. The "Landowners Guide to Natural Resources Management Incentives" can be found at http://dnr.state.il.us/OREP/C2000/Incentives.htm. Or from the main Department web page (http://dnr.state.il.us), click on financial assistance and scroll down the list of financial programs available.
* * *
The water level at Lake Kinkaid is being drawn down to an elevation of 415 during the next several days in preparation to rehabilitate the spillway. The natural rock spillway at this dam has been gradually deteriorating since it was constructed. Construction is expected to begin next week. Work on the spillway is expected to be completed before March 1, so the lake can be filled to its normal pool during spring rains.If you are using the lake during this drawdown period, please use extreme caution because there will be some very shallow water areas.
* * *
The 7th annual Director's Muskie Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 4-6 at Eagle Creek State Park. During the past few years, this event has become one of Lake Shelbyville's most popular fishing traditions. For more information or to register, contact the park office at 217/756-8260.
* * *

Indiana DNR News

Piranha or pacu?

Reports of piranha catches have cropped up at a few Indiana fishing spots this summer. But DNR biologists have noted that, in many cases, the supposed piranha is actually a closely related fish called a pacu.
Pacu are native to South America and look almost exactly like piranha. Both fish have red bellies and silvery sides, and both fish have impressive teeth. However, pacu eat mostly nuts and fruits and their teeth are strong and more rounded, like the front teeth of a human or adult dog. Piranha teeth are needle sharp, like the teeth of a puppy. Pacu are generally herbivorous, but will occasionally eat other foods, including common fish baits.
Pacu also grow larger than piranha, reaching lengths of 2 to 3 feet and 40 to 50 pounds. Piranha rarely grow larger than 12 inches, and are commonly half that size. Pacu in Indiana are probably illegally dumped fish that have outgrown aquariums. Neither pacu nor piranha are likely to survive an Indiana winter.
DNR biologists have no reports of either fish harming people in Indiana waters.
"We are concerned about impacts on other fish and water quality when individuals release any aquarium pet or food fish into state waters. This practice is illegal. Recent news about the snakehead fish in Maryland illustrates some of the problems caused by exotic fish," said Gwen White, DNR fisheries biologist.
The DNR tracks reports of exotic species. If you catch an unusual fish, photograph the fish from the side and send it to a DNR district fisheries biologist, or freeze the fish and bring it by a DNR office for identification.

09/07/02

Indiana DNR meets public request for more Coho in Lake Michigan

First brown trout in 20 years stocked

In response to input from anglers and charter boat captains on Lake Michigan, the DNR has changed the mix of trout and salmon it stocks in the big lake. Beginning this year, the mix includes nearly a 50 percent increase in Coho salmon, a reduction in Chinook salmon, steady levels of steelhead and lake trout, and the first brown trout stocking in about 20 years.
In a lake-wide management program with other Lake Michigan states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Indiana biologists are stocking:
- 220,000 Coho salmon instead of the usual 150,000
- 230,000 Chinook salmon
- 344,000 steelhead trout
- 60,000 lake trout
- 35,000 brown trout
The Coho, Chinook and steelhead are produced at Indiana's two coldwater fish hatcheries, Mixsawbah State Hatchery near Walkerton and Richard C. Bodine State Hatchery in Mishawaka. Chinook numbers were reduced to make room for the expanded Coho production.
Lake trout were produced at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hatcheries and stocked over an off-shore area known as the Michiana Reef near the Port of Indiana. The stocking goal of 60,000 was achieved despite production problems encountered in the federal hatcheries this past season.
Since Indiana's two Lake Michigan hatcheries are operating at full capacity, no space is available for producing brown trout. However, fisheries agencies regularly trade fish and, in this case, Illinois was able to provide 35,000 surplus 5-inch brown trout.
"The browns that are caught in Indiana waters the past few years were migrants from other Lake Michigan states' stockings," said Brian Breidert, Indiana DNR's Lake Michigan biologist. "Indiana anglers told us they would like to have better near-shore brown trout fishing action in the winter, so
we worked with Illinois biologists to make it happen. The partnerships we have with neighboring states and federal biologists is what makes fishing throughout Lake Michigan so spectacular."
Information on fishing for trout and salmon in Lake Michigan is available at:
http://www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/lkmich/open.html

***************************

08/29/02

Indiana Department of Natural Resources officials yesterday asked Indiana law makers to support development of an automated, electronic hunting and fishing licensing system. The system would replace the state's current manual, hand-written licensing process.
DNR director John Goss presented information to members of the Indiana General Assembly's Natural Resources Summer Study Committee at a meeting yesterday in Indianapolis.
"Since 1901, license agents have written out licenses by hand, stored carbon copies and collected fees," Goss said. "It's time that we streamlined this process to make things easier for hunters, anglers and license agents."
Indiana has more than 800 license agents statewide. Most agents are sporting goods stores, bait shops or hardware stores.
According to Goss, an automated system will increase the availability of licenses and make the license purchase process faster, in addition to reducing agents' bookkeeping requirements.
The DNR asked legislators to support devoting $5 million from the lifetime license fund to develop the automated system and operate it for the next four years. The General Assembly would need to amend state law to allow for this one-time use of the license fund.
The lifetime fund has grown to $19.5 million. State law currently allows only 2 percent of the fund to be incorporated into the Division of Fish and Wildlife's budget each year to provide program services, leaving a very large balance in the bank to draw interest. The one-time use of the lifetime
fund will still leave a large balance to help fund fish, wildlife and law enforcement programs in the future.
Under the proposed system, license agents will have a small computer terminal connected to a central database. Agents will enter information about the license buyer and immediately print the requested licenses. Agents will no longer need to stock pre-printed license books. All licenses
will be available from every agent.
"We've heard of people driving for hours looking for licenses the day before deer season because many agents have run out of licenses," said Goss. "The way we are doing business was OK a hundred years ago, but not today."
"Earlier this year, I purchased my 2002 fishing license on the Internet. It was easy and very quick. We want it to be just as convenient to purchase a license from any of Indiana's 800 agents. Now that is customer service," Goss said.
Many other Midwestern states have developed centralized, electronic licensing systems, including Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.

***************************

08/17/02

NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a new state record-setting longnose gar was caught in the Kankakee River in Grundy County on July 15. The fish, caught by Steven Ludvigsen of Joliet, was measured at 52.5 inches in length, 15.75 inches in girth and a new state record weight of 17.33 pounds. The fish was released following the weigh-in. The previous state record longnose gar was 12 pounds, 2.2 ounces. It was caught in the Kankakee River in Will County in August 2001.

***************************

PROTECT OUR WATERS - DON’T DUMP BAIT: Anglers in Illinois are reminded not to release bait minnows, game fish, or other native or exotic species into local lakes and ponds. Those who believe they are helping feed the fish in those bodies of water by adding bait fish or other species are mistaken and are more likely damaging the local fishery.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Mike Mounce notes that bait fish and other species added to a body of water can actually reduce fishing quality.

"Two- to three-inch golden shiner minnows sold at the bait shop can escape being eaten and quickly grow to eight inches, successfully reproduce and compete with bluegill and fingerling bass for the same limited food supply, leading to stunted bluegill and the demise of the bass," Mounce said. "Anglers should never dispose of their leftover minnows in the water but should save them for the next trip, give them to another fisherman, or leave them on shore."

Biologists also say anglers should not release fish taken from one body of water into another lake or pond. Moving sport fish from one body of water into another can result in long term damage to the fishery by spreading disease or introducing a species incompatible with the fish already in the body of water.

"People shouldn't put pet goldfish in a lake or pond, either," said Mounce. "Goldfish can grow to 10 to 12 inches and their young compete with hatchlings of native fish for food, reducing survival rates for the fish species already there".

"Fish biologists spend a significant amount of time studying which species will do well in a particular body of water, and they also spend a lot of time and money eliminating exotic or undesirable fish and plants that have been improperly added to those bodies of water."

The IDNR is offering a free "Protect Our Waters - Don't Dump Bait" sticker for anglers to apply to their bait buckets. For more information about bait dumping and invasive species issues, contact the Illinois Natural History Survey/Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, Lake Michigan Biological Station, 400 17th St., Zion, IL 60099, phone 847/872-8677. To obtain a "Protect Our Waters - Don't Dump Bait" sticker, contact the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, 63 Mumford Hall, 1301 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, phone 217/333-9448.

**************************

West Nile Virus

If you enjoy the outdoors, be alert to the possibility of West Nile Virus. While not a common occurrence, individuals can become infected with the West Nile virus by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness, but some may become ill, usually three to 15 days after being bitten. West Nile is similar to the St. Louis Encephalitis virus. Symptoms can be mild, such as a fever and headache. In some individuals, however, particularly the elderly, West Nile virus can cause serious disease that includes muscle weakness, brain inflammation, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, coma or death. No human case has been reported in Illinois to date.
WNV is carried from infected birds through mosquitoes to humans. It is not spread by person-to-person contact or directly from birds or mammals to people. However, hunters are urged to take proper precautions and to wear rubber gloves when field dressing game. Proper cooking kills WNV, so health officials believe there is no danger associated with eating wild game that might be infected.

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, a number of precautions are recommended:

--Whenever outdoors between dusk and dawn, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Loose-fitting, light colored clothing is best.

--Use mosquito repellent containing 25 percent to 35 percent DEET when it is necessary to be outdoors, applied sparingly to exposed skin or clothing, as indicated on the repellent label. Consult a physician before using repellents on young children.

--Check residential screens, including porches and patios, for tears and other openings.

--Eliminate stagnant water in bird baths, ponds, flower pots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles in which mosquitoes might breed.

08/01/02

Our friend Duke O'Malley didn't make the cut this year for induction to the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.  Duke was one of 45 nominees this year, but it wouldn't be Chicago if we didn't have to say "wait until next year".  The IDNR's press release regarding this year's nominees is posted below.  All three are very worthy of induction to the hall and we congratulate them for their hard work and dedication to conservation in Illinois.  We also encourage all to keep submitting letters of recommendation for Duke O'Malley.  Duke's induction would be a great way to say "thanks" for taking out kids fishing for the last 14 years.

THREE DISTINGUISHED ILLINOISANS SELECTED FOR INDUCTION INTO ILLINOIS OUTDOOR HALL OF FAME

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Three men long recognized for their distinguished service and commitment to natural resource protection and outdoor recreation in Illinois have been selected for induction into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, a program of the Illinois Conservation Foundation, Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning announced today.

"Henry Barkhausen, Bill Cullerton and Governor Jim Edgar have dedicated their careers to improving the quality of life in Illinois, especially through their work on behalf of the environment and natural resources of our state," said Manning, who serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Illinois Conservation Foundation. "We are delighted to include selection as members of the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame to the long list of honors each of these individuals has earned through their efforts on behalf of the people of Illinois."

Henry Barkhausen of Lake Forest has been described as an industrialist, businessman, author, sailor, public servant and conservationist. After a successful career as a businessman, Barkhausen entered the public sector, serving as director of the Illinois Department of Conservation from 1970-1973 during the administration of Govermor Richard Ogilvie. Barkhausen led an unprecedented land acquisition effort resulting in more than 15,000 acres being added and developed in the state park system. New sites added during his tenure included Shabbona Lake and Horseshoe Lake state parks and Franklin Creek and Volo Bog state natural areas. Barkhausen established the Department's natural heritage division to enhance protection of non-game fish and wildlife and unique natural areas. Barkhausen's greatest legacy may be his work of more than 30 years on protection, restoration and preservation of the Cache River wetlands in southern Illinois. His leadership of the Citizens Committee to Save the Cache River resulted in creation of the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, while his work with the Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy facilitated acquisition of the Little Black Slough in the Cache basin. In recognition of his work on behalf of the Cache, the new Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center at the Cache River State Natural Area is named in his honor.

Bill Cullerton, Sr. of Oak Brook has spent a lifetime making the Illinois outdoors a better place. As a youngster, Cullerton made fishing lures in his grandfather's business and served as a fishing guide in high school. He served as a highly decorated pilot during World War II before opening a business representing the interests of manufacturers of hunting and fishing equipment. Cullerton has been a strong voice for sportsmen and their issues of concern through his writing, seminars and as a host of the "Great Outdoors" program on WGN Radio in Chicago for more than 30 years. Much of his career has included promoting outdoor activities for children, seniors and people with disabilities. Cullerton was instrumental in bringing a major outdoor and sport fishing show to Chicago, and he led the effort to establish an artificial reef in Lake Michigan just off the Chicago lakeshore to enhance fishing opportunities. Cullerton has served as a member and director on numerous boards, including the Illinois Conservation Foundation. He is a member of the International and Freshwater Sport Fishing halls of fame. In 2000, the complex that includes Illinois Beach State Park and North Point Marina in Lake County were named the Cullerton Complex in his honor.

Governor Jim Edgar of Mahomet, well known as an avid hiker, horseback rider and bicyclist, displayed a remarkable commitment to Illinois' natural resources and outdoor recreation during his tenure as the state's chief executive from 1991-1999. In fact, Jim Edgar's accomplishments on behalf of outdoor Illinois pre-date his service as governor. During his tenure as Illinois Secretary of State, Edgar championed the law establishing the state's bicycle trail grant program. In addition to his advocacy of expanded greenways and trails as governor, Edgar recognized the need to increase the amount of land available for hunting, fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation. Through Governor Edgar's leadership, state government acquired more than 38,000 acres of land for open space and recreation opportunities, including the vast Site M in Cass County, now known as the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area. Edgar worked with federal authorities to secure management rights for the former Joliet Arsenal and Savanna Army Depot facilities. Governor Edgar founded the Illinois Conservation Congress, initiated the state's Conservation 2000 and EcoWatch natural resources management and monitoring programs, and signed legislation creating the Illinois Conservation Foundation. He also signed an agreement with the federal government that began the state's successful, long-term Illinois River restoration effort.

The three inductees were selected from among 45 nominees for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame submitted by citizens from throughout the state.

They will be inducted during ceremonies at the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, Feb. 21, 2003 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Tickets for the banquet are $100 each. Last year's inaugural banquet was a sell-out, attended by nearly 700 people.

Proceeds from the banquet assist in funding Illinois Conservation Foundation efforts
including the popular ICF grant program, which awarded 32 grants totaling more than $75,000
for a wide array of natural resource protection, environmental enhancement and education programs and projects this year.

For more information on the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet, contact Ron Allen, Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/785-9371, or check the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation, an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1995, has raised more than $14.2 million to support the programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information, contact Executive Director John Schmitt at 312/814-7237.

EMERGENCY RULE FILED TO HELP PREVENT CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE FROM REACHING ILLINOIS

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Department of Natural Resources today filed an emergency rule to limit the importation of hunter-harvested deer and elk, to restrict the importation of live animals and to ban the feeding of wild deer.

"Animals with chronic wasting disease have been found within 40 miles of Illinois' northern border. CWD is a fatal neurological disease, which strikes deer and elk. There is no vaccine to prevent it and it is incurable once an animal contracts it," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "CWD has spread to a number of states. We must continue to do all we can here in Illinois to keep it from infecting our herd."

To date, no animals from Illinois have tested positive for CWD, but surveillance efforts for the disease have been expanded.

The emergency rule (17 Ill. Adm. Code 635) takes effect immediately. The rule will be in effect for 150 days while a permanent rule is being adopted.

The rule bans the importation of hunter-harvested deer and elk carcases into Illinois, except for deboned meat, antlers, antlers attached to skull caps, hides, upper canine teeth, and finished taxidermist mounts. Skull caps must be cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue.

"This step will prevent hunters from bringing potentially diseased animals into Illinois and discarding their parts in a manner that could result in contamination of Illinois' deer herd," Manning said. He noted that CWD is most concentrated in portions of the infected animals that typically are not consumed by humans, such as the brain and spinal cord.

The Department also is banning feeding of wild deer and other wildlife in areas where wild deer are present. The ban includes food, salt, mineral blocks and other food products, with some exceptions. For example, bird and squirrel feeders close to homes and incidental feeding of wildlife within active livestock operations, are exempt from the ban. For a complete list of the exemptions see the rule on the Department's web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/rule-status.htm.

"We know that people enjoy feeding birds and squirrels and we aren't trying to impact homeowners and their individual feeders. Nor are we trying to impact active livestock operations," Manning said. "However, the fact is bait sites where deer congregate have the potential to contribute to the spread of various diseases that are transmitted by animal to animal contact, as CWD appears to be. Eliminating this practice will enhance our chances of controlling CWD in the event it enters Illinois and will also lessen the spread of other diseases among the deer herd."

The Department is also implementing regulations to minimize the threat of chronic wasting disease entering Illinois through the interstate transportation of captive deer and elk and to monitor captive herds already in Illinois. DNR shares responsibility with the Department of Agriculture in regulating captive deer and elk on game farms. DNR's new rule complements new regulations being adopted by the Agriculture Department for diseased animals. Currently an emergency rule banning the importation of captive deer and elk into Illinois is in place, but it expires Sept. 15, 2002.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disease found in deer and elk. The disease affects the brains of infected animals, causing them to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, lose coordination and eventually die. It is not known to be contagious to livestock or humans.

CWD has been diagnosed in wild, free-ranging deer and elk as well as in captive animals in a number of western states but recently has been found in neighboring Wisconsin. Illinois has been testing suspect animals for the last five years, as well as taking samples during deer hunting season.

"The consequences of a chronic wasting disease outbreak in Illinois are potentially great," said Manning, who noted deer hunting in Illinois contributes an estimated $400 million to Illinois' economy. "We must take all appropriate actions that good science call for. For the health of the deer herd, as well as its impact on the economy of this state, we will continue to work with the Illinois Department of Agriculture on this matter."

A task force, comprised of key staff from both agencies, has been working for months to develop plans to address surveillance of wild deer and captive herds, import and export of deer and elk and a planned response to a potential chronic wasting disease outbreak in Illinois.

Listen to the IDNR's audio regarding this topic - http://dnr.state.il.us/pubaffairs/2002/July/cwdregsjuly02.mp3

07/29/02

Here's an interesting story about the recent Lake Erie fish kill:

Lake Erie fish kill puzzles scientists

Dead fish littering the shores of Lake Erie are baffling experts.

For the third consecutive year, dead fish dot the beaches east of Port Dover to Port Colborne and although there are theories, nobody knows exactly what is causing the fish kills.

"It's amazing the scale of what's going on," said Phil Ryan, the manager for the Port Dover Ministry of Natural Resources station.

"It's a big research mystery."

While the ministry suspects it is the toxin created by type E botulism that is killing the fish, they don't know anything for a scientific fact.

"Hopefully it's temporary," Ryan said. "We're keeping our fingers crossed."

The ministry also suspects that exotic zebra mussels and gobies are involved, but they aren't certain how they factor in exactly. "We only have circumstantial evidence," Ryan said.

Jeff Robinson, a biologist with Environment Canada, said the whole situation is "really puzzling."

Robinson said he shares the ministry's theory and believes that botulism is a side-effect from the introduction of species like zebra mussels into Lake Erie.

"This whole episode of exotic species (zebra mussels and gobies) coming in from the Caspian Sea has really turned the ecology of Lake Erie on its head," he said.

Robinson speculated that with the introduction of gobies and zebra mussels, bottom-feeding animals have taken over and become very effective in moving things around, including botulism.

"People are starting to do research with the idea that there might be something done to prevent this," he said.

Ryan said the ministry wants to make sure everybody knows to cook their fish.

"This is where we all step very carefully but people can die from botulism if they ingest the toxin," he said.

Health Canada is joining with Environment Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources to research the levels of toxins in fish meat from Lake Erie.

"Right now, we haven't done that so we can't say what the risk is," said Dr. John Austin, the chair of the Botulism Reference Service for Canada.

Austin said botulism is a relatively new phenomenon in the Great Lakes.

The Haldimand Health Unit is not aware of the potential outbreak, according to spokesperson Glen Steen.

"We have not been officially notified by anyone," he said. "We are not aware of any fish kill."

John Cooper, spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources, said: "Type E has caused illness and death in other areas of Canada. We may be having an outbreak of botulism, but we don't have anything to confirm it." - Sun, 7/28/2002

Here are a couple of interesting articles about the Asian carp problem:

Keep Asian carp out of lakes, or we will regret it

Editorial from Eric Sharp: Free Press Columnist

When the fight against the sea lamprey in the Great Lakes started 50 years ago, no one dreamed the parasites would still be destroying large numbers of lake trout, especially after governments had spent $250 million on the battle.

Probably the most important lesson we have learned from the lamprey mess is that once an exotic species gets established in the Great Lakes, it's there to stay. Efforts to keep the damage caused by sea lampreys to tolerable levels will be unending and expensive.

By the late 1990s, it looked as if attempts to poison lampreys and keep them out of spawning streams with electrical barriers and raised weirs were working. But we forgot about the St. Marys River, which turned out to be a lamprey factory, producing so many each year that virtually every lake trout in northern Lake Huron was killed before it reached spawning age.

Scientists have since found ways to minimize the number of lampreys the St. Marys and other streams churn out, but if we ever stop those control efforts, we'll see lake trout disappear again.

The lamprey also taught us some lessons about the politics of controlling exotic species. And those lessons are important, because we might be on the verge of repeating the mistakes of the lamprey era in dealing with a new threat to the lakes, exotic Asian carp.

Bighead and silver carp either escaped from or were released by catfish farms in the South. In less than 10 years they have spread up the Mississippi River system and been collected in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal only 25 miles below Lake Michigan. Some people say they have seen them 11 miles below the lake.

About a month ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers turned on an electrical barrier in the Chicago canal designed to keep the bighead carp at bay.

But it took so long to get the money to build and run the barrier that no one knows if the carp, which can exceed 100 pounds, are already above it. In addition, the barrier is an experimental project, and the money to operate it runs out in about 18 months.

And an even more immediate problem is the lack of a backup generator to keep the barrier going if the commercial power supply fails.

"One power failure could jeopardize the effectiveness of the barrier," said Mark Gaden, a spokesman for the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission. "We've asked Congress for funds to mediate that."

So far, Congress hasn't come through. Maybe that's because the amount needed is too small to draw attention. A $150,000 generator could be all that's standing between the Great Lakes and another environmental disaster, but things like that tend to get overlooked by people who hold onto their jobs by funneling millions or even billions of dollars to get votes and campaign contributions.

But failure to act on these environmental threats can be incredibly costly. Chris Goddard, executive secretary of the fisheries commission, figures that in the past 15 years, fixing damage from zebra mussels has cost governments and business along the Great Lakes hundred of millions of dollars.

A second barrier in the Chicago canal would cost about $350,000 to install and $100,000 a year to maintain. Even the larger figure is a fraction of the cost of some junkets the State Department puts on for bigwigs.

Like zebra mussels, bighead and silver carp are filter feeders. But they also are thousands of times the size of a zebra mussel. They don't filter plankton from open waters but live by sucking in algae and detritus from the bottom.

Asian carp aren't much use as a sport fish, and they have the ability to root up bottom vegetation and turn rivers and lakes into mud pits. But even scarier is that in some of the big pools along the Mississippi, they have multiplied so quickly that in less than a decade they make up 90 percent or more of the fish life.

Biologists worry that a few million of them sucking up the water of the Great Lakes could disrupt the food chain and lead to a collapse of major sport and commercial species like salmon, walleyes and perch.

They also worry about what would happen if bighead and silver carp get into tributary rivers.

The truth is that no one is sure what bighead and silver carp would do to the ecology of the Great Lakes if they become established there. But if our experience with sea lampreys and zebra mussels is anything to go by, we probably don't want to find out.

Group wants permanent barrier to stop Asian carp

By Maura Kelly
The Associated Press
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They're huge, hungry and have been known to hop into passing boats.
The Asian carp — now found in the Mississippi River — is about 25 miles away from invading the Great Lakes, where it could threaten native fish species by eating their food, experts say.

An international commission had hoped a temporary electrical barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal could stop the fish, which can grow to 100 pounds and four feet long.

But one barrier in the canal — the only connection between the Mississippi River basin and the Great Lakes basin — isn't enough, officials say.

Leaders of the International Joint Commission on Thursday said they want a second, similar barrier to be permanently installed in the canal as a backup. That barrier could be located a quarter- to a half-mile away from the existing one, officials said.

"We feel we need redundancy — a second barrier — to have complete effectiveness," said Dennis Schornack, chairman of the commission's U.S. section. "What if the first one were to fail?"

Scientists say the barriers cause fish to feel a tingling sensation that repels them so they turn around instead of swimming into Lake Michigan.

The commission, a Canadian-American authority that regulates waters on the countries' border, has sent a letter to United States and Canadian government officials asking to install the permanent barrier as well as continued operation of the temporary one.

Charles Barclay, a spokesman for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs for the U.S. State Department, said the department received the letter.

"The issue is one that we take seriously. We're studying the letter and don't have a determination as to how we'll proceed," he said.

The temporary barrier in the canal, which connects the Mississippi and Chicago rivers, was turned on in April and is scheduled to be removed after 18 months. The commission also wants a backup electrical generator for that barrier to guard against power outages.

The barrier is a series of cables under the canal that send a low-level charge to the fish, and is located near Romeoville.

The $2.2 million device originally was set up to control the round goby, another invasive fish. It is being monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"We're confident it's working, but we don't know how effective it is overall. That depends on the monitoring," said Roy Deda, deputy for project management at the Corps' Chicago office.

The Asian carp threatens the plankton food supply of paddlefish, gizzard shad, bigmouth buffalo and other filter feeders. They also compete with larval and juvenile fish and mussels. The fish can eat up to half their body weight in a day in plankton, leaving little food for other fish.

Arkansas fish farmers imported the Asian carp from China in the 1970s to improve water quality in their pens. Some escaped and began appearing in the Mississippi River in the 1990s.

"Their migration has reached a critical stage," Schornack said. "We really run the threat of potentially turning the Great Lakes into a carp pond."

© 2002 Associated Press — All rights reserved.

NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources main headquarters in Springfield is in a new location and has a new address. The headquarters is located on the northwest corner of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Mail to the facility should be addressed as follows: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. The main telephone number remains unchanged at 217/782-6302. Telephone numbers for all other offices of the Department also remain unchanged.

Springfield-area residents should be advised that the License/Permit office at the old facility at 524 S. 2nd Street will be closed beginning the week of July 28. Staff will be moving to the new building that week. For license sales, please see an area vendor or contact the Department via the internet at http://dnr.state.il.us. The License/Permit office in the new facility will open for business to the public beginning Monday, Aug. 5 and be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The telephone number is 217/782-7305. A drive-up window will be available later in the fall.

The Illinois State Fair is Aug. 9-18. The public will be able to access the new DNR headquarters, but will need to pay a State Fair per-person entrance fee as well as a $6 parking fee to park on the Fairgrounds in designated public parking. For individuals who do not wish to enter the fairgrounds, an auxiliary License/Permit office will be set up at the DNR Service Center (blue building) located north of the Fairgrounds, between Taintor Road and Veterans Parkway. Hours for that facility are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the two weekends of the State Fair, Aug. 10-11 and Aug. 17-18, licenses will be available at the Law Enforcement tent at Conservation World from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Beginning Aug. 19 after the close of the Illinois State Fair, the public once again will have access to the new DNR headquarters. The Department apologizes for any inconvenience to the public during this time.

***********************
The Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board will meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2002, in the Illinois Authors Room of the Illinois State Library, 300 S. Second St., Springfield. The Board determines what species are threatened or endangered in the state and advises the Department of Natural Resources on the means of conserving them. The Board meets quarterly, revises the list of protected species every five years and completed its most recent revisions in 1999. For more information, contact the Board at 217/785-8687.

***********************
Communities seeking to add to their recreation opportunities can apply for a variety of state outdoor recreation grants provided through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Grant Administration.

Local government units authorized by law to operate and maintain land for public recreation purposes are eligible to apply for the grants. Grant programs with application periods open through September 1 are:

• Boat Access Area Development Program - financed with revenues derived from marine motor fuel tax and boat/canoe registration fees, the program provides financial assistance to local government agencies for acquisition, construction, expansion and rehabilitation of public boat and canoe access areas on Illinois lakes and rivers. Grant awards are limited to a $200,000 annual maximum for motorized access projects and $50,000 for non-motorized/canoe access projects.

***********************
MUSSEL HARVEST CONTRACTS AVAILABLE: Contracts to harvest commercial mussels will be available for a portion of the lower Illinois River from Aug. 1-31. Mussel harvest will be allowed by contract from the railroad bridge near Pearl at river mile 43.3 to the LaGrange Lock and Dam at river mile 80.1. The Illinois River was closed to commercial mussel harvest in 1994. At that time, biologists believed that the zebra mussel would cause the extermination of native mussel species.
In recent years, zebra mussels have declined in the lower river while native mussels appear to be healthy and abundant. This conservative approach to the mussel harvest is designed to allow limited harvest and to gather information to be used in setting future harvest regulations.
Individuals interested in obtaining a contract must be have an Illinois mussel harvest license and not have been guilty of a fishing violation for the past 12 months. A signed contract will be required of each mussel harvester and a daily report of mussel harvest must be completed.
For additional information or to obtain a contract, contact Commercial Fishing Program Manager Rob Maher at 8450 Montclaire Ave., Brighton, IL 62012, 618/ 466-3451.

***********************
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is stocking channel catfish in 13 lakes and ponds in Moultrie and Shelby counties on July 30. The catfish will, on average, weigh approximately one pound and be approximately 14 inches in length, providing immediate improvements in fishing quality in the stocked waters.

The stocking will occur at Hidden Springs State Forest (Shelby County) in Hickory Ridge Pond, Sassafras Pond and White Oak Pond; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Ponds and Lakes (Shelby and Moultrie counties) including Beaver Pond, McClure Pond, Sand Pond, Stone Pond and Wood Lake; Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Management Area (Moultrie County) in Elder Pond, Ringneck Pond and Wood Duck Pond; and, in Wyman Park Pond in Sullivan (Shelby County). For more information, contact, Mike Mounce, IDNR Division of Fisheries, 217/345-2420.

***********************
An updated Landowners Guide to Natural Resources Management Incentives is now on the web and can be found at: http://dnr.state.il.us/OREP/C2000/Incentives.htm. There is a link to the document on both C2000 and Conservation Congress web pages of the Department of Natural Resources web site, which is http://dnr.state.il.us.

***********************
If you enjoy the outdoors, be alert to the possibility of West Nile Virus. While not a common occurrence, individuals can become infected with the West Nile virus by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness, but some may become ill, usually three to 15 days after being bitten.West Nile is similar to the St. Louis Encephalitis virus. Symptoms can be mild, such as a fever and headache. In some individuals, however, particularly the elderly, West Nile virus can cause serious disease that includes muscle weakness, brain inflammation, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, coma or death. No human case has been reported in Illinois to date.

WNV is carried from infected birds through mosquitoes to humans. It is not spread by person-to-person contact or directly from birds or mammals to people. However, hunters are urged to take proper precautions and to wear rubber gloves when field dressing game. Proper cooking kills WNV, so health officials believe there is no danger associated with eating wild game that might be infected.
To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, a number of precautions are recommended: --Whenever outdoors between dusk and dawn, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Loose-fitting, light colored clothing is best.

--Use mosquito repellent containing 25 percent to 35 percent DEET when it is necessary to be outdoors, applied sparingly to exposed skin or clothing, as indicated on the repellent label. Consult a physician before using repellents on young children.
--Check residential screens, including porches and patios, for tears and other openings.
--Eliminate stagnant water in bird baths, ponds, flower pots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles in which mosquitoes might breed.

***********************
The Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program's One Million Meals Crusade will present one winner with a Realtree Camouflage Muzzleloading Shotgun donated by Knight Rifles of Centerville, Iowa. From August 1 - December 31, anyone making a tax deductible donation of $35 or more to Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger will be entered in the drawing.

Louis Cambier of Pecatonica, IL. and Thomas Headrick of Summit, IL. were the recent winners of deer and turkey hunting equipment prizes donated by Hunter's Specialties, Inc. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa for this summers raffle which took place from April 1 to July 1.

The One Million Meals Crusade was launched by ISAH to encourage donations to cover the costs of processing deer donated to the program hunters. In 2001, 20,204 pound of deer meat was donated to ISAH, which has provided more than 110,000 pounds of venison and 440,000 meals to needy families through food banks and food pantries in Illinois since 1994.

To make a tax deductible contribution, contact Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield , IL. 62702, or call 217/ 782-4963.

***********************
The Ron Ward Memorial Bass Fishing Tournament will be held on August 4 on Lake Shelbyville. The Tournament, sponsored by the Champaign-Urbana Bass Club, raises money in memory of long-time member Ronnie Ward, who died suddenly last year. Proceeds from the Tournament are used to sponsor scholarships for graduate students conducting bass research. Last year's scholarship recipient was Steve Cooke, a student of David Philipp at the Illinois Natural History Survey working on the physiological effects of tournament catch and release. For more information about the Ron Ward Memorial Tournament or the scholarship given in his honor, visit the Champaign-Urbana Bass Club web site at http://www.cubass.com.

***********************
During the next nine months, the boat ramp at Fort Massac State Park will be closed periodically while construction is underway to upgrading the ramp, boat dock, parking facility, lighting and other items. To check the status of the boat ramp call 618/524-4712 or 618/524-9321.

***********************
Roadwork has been completed at Mermet Lake Fish & Wildlife Area and the site is reopened to vehicular traffic. For more information about the park call 618/524-5577.

***********************
Join us for the Calumet Biodiversity Blitz, a 24-hour inventory to find as many species as possible. The event is from 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at William W. Powers State Recreation Area, 12949 Avenue O (123rd Street and Avenue O), Chicago. Here you will be able to observe scientists engaged in an actual biological inventory; join special tours of Eggers Woods, Wolf Lake and Powderhorn Lake; attend short presentations by experts on birds, mammals, fishes and fungi; participate in volunteer stewardship activities and learn how you can become involved in the Calumet Stewardship Initiative. For more information, contact bioblitz@fieldmuseum.org

***********************
REMINDER: Local governments, privately owned marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs have until Aug. 16 to apply for grants available to provide temporary docking facilities for large boats. Funds for the program come from federal excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels through the Sport Fishing and Boating Safety program, and can provide up to 75 percent