An Invitation from our friend Mike Norris @ MikeNorrisOutdoors.com

Mark this down on your calendars! On Thursday, July 31st, I'll be celebrating my first year anniversary show with a "LIVE" broadcast of "Outdoors with Mike Norris" from 3 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 6:15 p.m. at Water Werks II, the fishing and boating store located just south of Route 56 on Route 59 in Naperville.

Come on by and enjoy this special broadcast of the radio show! Joining me at Water Werks II will be Chicago Sun-Times outdoors columnist Dale Bowman, "Hunting the Midwest's" Chris Bates, CLTV Great Outdoors host Steve Sarley, Midwest Outdoors writer Walt Matan, Fox River fishing guide Ken Gortowski, and Lake Geneva Fishing Club President and radio show producer Ken Abraham. I'll have giveaway prizes, and you just may wind up on the show.

Following the 6 -6:15 p.m. broadcast of the radio show, Ken Gortowski and I will conduct a seminar on how to fish the Fox River. The Fox River teems with smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. It's a great opportunity to learn how to catch these fish throughout the season!

CONSERVATION WORLD ADDS AN HOUR OF FUN AND FAMILY-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES FOR THE 2003 ILLINOIS STATE FAIR

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - Conservation World will remain open an hour later each evening during the 2003 Illinois State Fair, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold announced today. The new hours of operation at Conservation World are
10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily during the fair, Aug. 8-17.

"An extra hour will allow more state fair visitors to enjoy the beautiful setting and family-oriented activities of Conservation World," Brunsvold said. "Whether they’re planning a dinner of world champion barbeque from southern Illinois’ famous 17th Street Barbeque or simply looking for a relaxing spot to kick back as the sun sets, this extra hour will allow more people to experience Conservation World."

The extra hour each evening allows for adjusting the schedule of entertainment and activities in Conservation World to educate and entertain visitors until 8 p.m. Interactive displays, informative exhibits, seminars and entertainment in Conservation World provide an up-close look at the state's diverse natural resources, conservation programs and outdoor recreation opportunities.

The famous Scheers' Lumberjack Show anchors Conservation World’s entertainment area with world champion log-rolling, hand ax throwing, chainsaw racing, cross-cut sawing, chopping and pole climbing three times a day at noon, 3:15 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.

Mother Goose and Friends breathe new life into everyone’s favorite childhood stories in an energetic show of brightly colored costumes, props and decorations four times daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Raptor Project's Birds of Prey program features eagles, falcons, hawks and owls in a unique, free-flying wildlife presentation emphasizing conservation, rehabilitation and propagation of birds of prey at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

The Hawg Trough, a 5,000-gallon, temperature-controlled water tank stocked with bass, bluegill, walleye and a variety of other Illinois fish features expert tips on proper baits, casting and other fishing techniques four times daily at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.

During select shows, sign language interpreters will provide services in Conservation World for those with special needs: the lumberjack shows at noon and 6:30 p.m.; birds of prey shows at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Mother Goose shows at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; and, the Hawg Trough fishing demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. In addition, a second sign language interpreter is available upon request on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Sangamon Valley Woodcarvers’ demonstrations are featured daily from 10 a.m.-
4 p.m. Carvers will answer questions and share tips, plus have many hand-made carvings available for purchase.

Chainsaw artists Tim and Karen Barker will dazzle visitors with their unique wood carving skills every day of the fair, turning six-foot logs into a wide variety of detailed figures, many of which will be auctioned throughout the year at Illinois Conservation Foundation events to benefit youth hunting and fishing events and promotions throughout the state.

Thanks to the generosity of the artists and the Illinois Conservation Foundation, one lucky Conservation World visitor will win one of the beautiful carvings. Registration is in the carvers’ area in Conservation World with the drawing to be held after the fair ends on Sunday, Aug. 17. The winner need not be present to win, but will be responsible for picking up and transporting the carving at a later date.

Activities for youngsters in Conservation World include a free 3-D archery range and a BB gun range. Youngsters can also learn to fish at a specially designed pond. The six daily free fishing clinics are at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. and feature a half-hour of expert instruction and a half-hour of catch-and-release fishing.

Field dog demonstrations will be conducted on the bank of one of the Conservation World ponds Aug. 8-10 at 4 p.m. featuring pointers, retrievers and springer spaniels with both professional and amateur handlers from several sporting dog organizations.

Individuals who subscribe to or renew a subscription to Outdoor Illinois magazine during a visit to Conservation World will be entered to win a special outdoor adventure prize package. (Only those 18 years of age or older who subscribe in person during the Illinois State Fair are eligible for the drawing). The $10 subscription includes 12 issues of Outdoor Illinois magazine with monthly features about state parks, fishing, camping, hiking, hunting and other outdoor recreation, as well as a free, full-color calendar each December. The drawing will be conducted Aug. 17.

Visitors to Conservation World can also register for a daily drawing to win a one-night stay at Rend Lake and Eagle Creek resorts, the lodges at Giant City, Illinois Beach, Pere Marquette and Starved Rock state parks, the cabins at Cave-n-Rock and White Pines state parks, and the Carlyle Lakefront Cottages at Eldon Hazlet State Park. Drawings will be held each evening at the entertainment area in Conservation World.

Youngsters visiting the Land Management and Education tent will be able to participate in a hunter safety quiz, while school teachers visiting the tent will learn about the ENTICE teacher training institutes and be able to take back to their classrooms educational materials for their students.

Visitors will be able to ask questions about conservation laws and learn about the duties of Conservation Police officers at the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement tent.

The Mines and Minerals tent will include two mineral education trailers, an explosives display, mine safety equipment and will highlight land reclamation efforts in Illinois.

The Discovery Park tent will feature educational exhibits and activities, hosted by experts from the Illinois State Museum, the Illinois Scientific Surveys, the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center and other IDNR offices. One display will feature the Grand Illinois Trail (GIT) Trail Blazers program, a 475-mile ride. The Office of Realty and Environmental Planning will be giving away a children's mountain bike and helmet to one lucky winner between the ages of 5-15. Youngsters will find forms to register for the bike and helmet in the Discovery Park tent. The name of the winner will be drawn on the final day of the fair.

The Forestry Tent will have Smokey Bear on hand at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day, and will play the game "Spin to Win" at 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. "Ask Your Forester" will be available for fairgoers with tree, insect and disease questions.

The Natural Heritage tent will feature displays on efforts to protect threatened and endangered species, to improve wildlife habitat and to preserve Illinois natural areas.

The Illinois Department of Human Services will host an air-conditioned "mobile nursery" in Conservation World, providing a clean, cool place to nurse babies or change diapers.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will offer children's environmental games and registration for a daily t-shirt give-away. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will have a display celebrating their 100th anniversary.

Many environmental and outdoor recreation organizations and groups will present displays in tents located throughout Conservation World.

Park District Conservation Day at the Illinois State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 16, will feature activities at Conservation World, as well as activities elsewhere on the fairgrounds (outside the Illinois Building, inside the Illinois Building theater and on the Lincoln Stage) involving 20 groups from Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies. Several zoos will have small animals on display during the day.

Clothing, hats, mugs, books and other merchandise from the IDNR and Illinois Conservation Foundation will be available for purchase at the Conservation World log cabin.

Illinois craftspeople will conduct demonstrations and have products available for purchase by visitors. Vendors include 17th Street Barbeque, as well as popular kettle corn, fresh pork rinds, hot river chips, old-fashioned root beer, refreshing strawberry shortcake and shaved ice. Other vendors will be selling dried herbs and fresh spices, Amish jams and jellies and Illinois-grown honey, fossils, rocks and minerals and several different types of wood carvings. Traditional candle making, always popular with children, is a special Conservation World activity remembered fondly by generations of visitors who seek it out each year.

"Conservation World really is a fair within the fair," Brunsvold said. "I hope everyone takes advantage of the wide array of entertainment and activities, and the expanded 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. schedule, to make Conservation World one of their stops during the 2003 Illinois State Fair."

***

Fort Massac State Park Historic Site, Museum, Visitor's Center and Boat ramp are closed due to construction. The park offices have moved to a construction trailer next to the historic site. The site superintendent can be reached at the construction trailer or by phone. The historic site will be closed until the completion of the replica of an 1802 American Fort. High flood waters have delayed the construction of the boat ramp and dock project. The other facilities in the park, picnic tables, shelters, campground area, hiking trails and playground areas are still open to the public. If you have any questions, please call Fort Massac State Park at 618/524-4712.
***

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.

17 Ill. Adm. Code 710, the Taking of Wild Turkeys – Spring Season. Deadline to comment in writing is September 15. Please send comments to Jonathan Furr, General Counsel, Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702-1271.

17 Ill. Adm. Code 635, Wildlife Conservation Measures and Practices. Deadline to comment in writing is September 8. Please send comments to Jonathan Furr, General Counsel, Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702-1271.

17 Ill. Adm. Code 590, Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting. Deadline to comment in writing is August 17. Please send comments to Jonathan Furr, General Counsel, Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702-1271.
***

The Illinois State Museum’s "Summer Festival of Films" offers free, quality, educational films this summer for children. The weekly one hour program is held each Monday and Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Through August 19 in the Thorne Deuel Auditorium, located on the Museum’s lower level. Film topics include animals, dinosaurs, volcanoes, nature, travel, art, and more. A different selection of films is shown each week. Each program concludes with a cartoon. The "Summer Festival of Films" is especially recommended for nursery school classes, day care groups, and families. For groups of 10 or more, please call for reservations at 217/782-5993.

* * *

The 2003 C2000 Ecosystems Program Conference is scheduled for Sept. 4-5 at the Perem Marquette Hotel in Peoria. The event includes ecological tours, workshops, and plenty of opportunities for sharing and collaborating with IDNR staff and other partnership members. More detailed information about the conference can be accessed online at http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/conference.

* * *

The 119th meeting of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2003, in Lakeview Conference Room A at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Building, One Natural Resources Way in Springfield, Illinois. 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.

* * *

Pere Marquette State Park has a variety of interesting educational programs. For more information about the programs below, contact the site interpreter, Scott Isringhausen, at 618/786-3323.

Saturday August 30th-- Join us and learn about the natural history of the park as we hike along one of the park’s most interesting trails. Wear good hiking shoes and bring binoculars! Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 8:30 a.m. The hike will last about 2 hours.

Saturday August 30th -- A program on the history and wildlife of Pere Marquette State Park. If you are new to the area or would like further information about the area, this program is for you. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 12:30 p.m.

From the Indiana DNR:

Indiana State Park and Reservoir Flooding

Several state park and reservoir facilities have temporarily closed because of flooding.

High water levels have resulted in the temporary closure of Ouabache State Park and Roush Lake (Huntington Lake) in northeast Indiana.

The following properties were also experiencing water related difficulties on Friday:

* Turkey Run State Park - all hiking trails are closed; suspension bridge is closed.

* Tippecanoe River State Park - boat launch is closed and hiking trails are saturated

* Raccoon SRA - beach is closed; South Shelter is closed; outlying ramps at Walker, Hollandsburg, Mansfield and Portland Mills are closed.

* Brookville Lake - Quakertown and Mounds beaches are closed.

* Shades State Park - all trails are very muddy, some with standing water.

* Lieber SRA - Shuttle service will be provided from the top of the hill to the dock area for marina users. The shuttle will operate Fri/Sat/Sun from 7 am to 10 p.m. and Mon through Thurs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Daily reservoir water level reports: http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/wc/reports/lkreport.html

General park and reservoir information: www.IN.gov/dnr

Aquatic Exotic Control Planning Underway

Monkey pox, toxic algae and flying carp.

It sounds like a bad horror movie, but they are real problems for Indiana. Increasing global trade and travel have brought hundreds of exotic species and diseases to Hoosier doorsteps.

"Introduced species are a form of biological pollution that can damage public health and our economy," said Bill James, DNR fisheries chief. "Our waterways are at an especially high risk of irreversible damaged."

Aquatic invaders such as zebra mussels, bighead carp, purple loosestrife, white perch and sea lamprey cost Hoosiers millions of dollars each year in control measures and lost natural resource value.

Indiana DNR biologists, university researchers, industry leaders, and conservation and environmental groups have joined together to address the problem. A group of people interested in control of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) met in April to begin developing a long-term ANS management plan for Indiana.

A draft plan will be reviewed and discussed at a public meeting on July 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Garrison Conference Center near Fort Harrison State Park on the northeast side of Indianapolis. The meeting is open to any interested groups or individuals.

The draft plan is available online at: http://www.invasivespecies.IN.gov, or by calling Gwen White at (317) 931-0908.

Once finalized, the plan will be used as a road map for guiding nuisance control efforts and enable Indiana to apply for federal funding of around $100,000 per year to support nuisance aquatic species control projects. The Indiana state legislature also recently approved an increase in the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) boater fee to generate about $1.1 million annually for sediment removal and control of nuisance plants and animals in Indiana waters. The plan will provide a basis for targeting these and other state actions on invasive species.

Individuals who need reasonable modifications for effective participation in the meeting should call the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife ADA Coordinator at (317) 232-4080 (voice and TDD).

Southwest Sider to named head of Cook County Forest Preserve District.

Steve Bylina, deputy commissioner of Chicago's forestry division has been appointed as the new Superintendent of the Cook County Forest Preserve District.  The CCFPD has not yet published a press release, so follow this link to the Daily Southtown article detailing the appointment.  Daily Southtown Article.

From the Illinois DNR:

Registration is now open for the annual Lions Fishing Derby for people with disabilities, scheduled for Thursday, July 17 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Shabbona Lake State Park in DeKalb County. The Paw Paw Lions Club is chairing the event on behalf of 16 sponsoring Lions Clubs in the region. Members of the DeKalb County Anglers organization will provide fishing gear and bait and will assist fishing derby participants. The fishing derby is open to persons with disabilities from throughout northern Illinois. For more information, phone 630/552-1345 or contact Shabbona Lake State Park at 815/824-2106.

REMINDER: Small boats are available for fishing by reservation and are free of charge at Ridge Lake. The lake is located inside Fox Ridge State Park, bout 7 miles outh of highway 16 in Charleston, Coles County. Hours are Thursday through Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. To make a reservation, please call 217/ 345-6490 during open hours. Ridge Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and walleye and anglers are allowed to keep legal size fish. Eight boats are available and each can handle 2-4 people. Once in the park, follow the signs to Ridge Lake.

Local governments can apply to the Department of Natural Resources for boat access grants now through Sept. 2. The grants are 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. Examples of eligible kinds of projects are water frontage land acquisition for public access areas, new construction or renovation of boat ramps and docks, restrooms and security lighting as well as parking areas, access roads and walkways. For more information on IDNR recreation grant programs, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Grant Administration, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702 via e-mail at http://dnr.state.il.us/ocd/Gaoutnew.htm, or check the Department's web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/finast/htm.

Midwest DNR News

From the Illinois DNR:

Registration is now open for the annual Lions Fishing Derby for people with disabilities, scheduled for Thursday, July 17 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Shabbona Lake State Park in DeKalb County. The Paw Paw Lions Club is chairing the event on behalf of 16 sponsoring Lions Clubs in the region. Members of the DeKalb County Anglers organization will provide fishing gear and bait and will assist fishing derby participants. The fishing derby is open to persons with disabilities from throughout northern Illinois. For more information, phone 630/552-1345 or contact Shabbona Lake State Park at 815/824-2106.
* * *
Small boats are available for fishing by reservation and are free of charge at Ridge Lake. The lake is located inside Fox Ridge State Park, bout 7 miles south of highway 16 in Charleston, Coles County. Hours are Thursday through Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. To make a reservation, please call 217/ 345-6490 during open hours. Ridge Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and walleye and anglers are allowed to keep legal size fish. Eight boats are available and each can handle 2-4 people. Once in the park, follow the signs to Ridge Lake.
* * *
Let OutdoorIllinois magazine help you discover exciting locations to visit this summer. Take a fishing road trip down Route 66 from Lake Michigan to Mazonia. Learn about the amazingly quick healing powers of Mother Nature and the restoration of Illinois River backwater lakes. Find out how "cats" are working to make a better world for Illinois waterfowl. Enjoy a magnificent cover image of a ruby-throated hummingbird feeding her nestlings. OutdoorIllinois is a great tool for learning about Illinois' natural, cultural and recreational resources and a bargain at $10 for a one-year magazine subscription. Call 1-800-720-3249 to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.
* * *

From the Indiana DNR:

Lake Michigan coastal advisory board to meet July 9

The public is invited to attend the Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program advisory board meeting July 9th at the NIRPC Office, 6100 Southport Road, Portage, Indiana.

Starting at 6:15 p.m. the 28 member board will provide a forum for public input on regional issues affecting Lake Michigan coastal resources and reflect a balance between preservation, protection, restoration, and when possible, development for this and succeeding generations.

The board will discuss program staff proposals for the Lake Michigan Coastal Program's next grant cycle. In addition, program staff will present information regarding proposed funding cycle timelines and grant opportunities.

The following individuals serve on the Coastal Advisory Board:

Dr. Mark Reshkin, board chair, IU Northwest professor emeritus
Charlotte Read, board vice chair, Save the Dunes Council
J. Allen Johnson, board secretary, Lake County resident
Kevin Breitzke, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission secretary and chairman of Environmental Management and Policy
Rudolph Clay, Lake County commissioner
John Evans, Porter County commissioner
William Hager, LaPorte County commissioner
Dorreen Carey, City of Gary environmental affairs coordinator
David Pilz, City of Valparaiso city engineer
Ian Steele, Michiana Shores town council
Edgar Corns, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District board president
Tom Keilman, Northwest Indiana Forum president
Dionne Wisniewski, LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau director
Stephen Mosher, Port of Indiana at Burns Harbor director
John Smolar, Portage Port Authority director
Jack Hires, Northwest Indiana Steelheaders
Tim Morgan, LaPorte County Park and Recreation Department superintendent
Paul Labus, The Nature Conservancy
Dale Engquist, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore superintendent
John Heidbreder, Lake County Sheriff's House Foundation president
Henry Bliss, Porter County resident
Tammy Steinhagen, LaPorte County resident
Adriane Blaesing, IDEM northwest regional office director
Jim Juricic, INDOT environment assessment manager, environment, planning, and engineering
Niles Parker, IDOC community development division manager
Bill Moran, NRCS district conservationist
Liz McCloskey, USFWS northern Indiana office
Brian Miller, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant associate director
Judy Beck, U.S. EPA Region 5 Lake Michigan regional team manager
Jan Miller, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River division, Chicago district.

From the Minnesota DNR:

DNR reverses no-wake restrictions on St. Croix (2003-06-27)

Today’s declaration of a “No Wake Zone” on the St. Croix River has been reversed, based on a revised forecast from the National Weather Service.

Due to heavy rainfall over much of central Minnesota earlier this week, water levels in the St. Croix River were predicted to rise to the point where boaters would be required to slow down to minimize shoreline damage. The special restriction, authorized by state rules in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, is triggered when the level on the St. Croix reaches 683 feet above sea level at Stillwater.

Earlier forecasts predicted that the level of the lower St. Croix would exceed that trigger as of this afternoon and remain above that level until well into next week. However, the most current forecast is for a crest of 681.8 feet.

DNR River Management Supervisor Steve Johnson explained, “It takes quite a bit of staff time to post signs at all the boat landings and marinas, and to notify the law enforcement community and the media when putting a high-water no-wake rule into effect. We have to make that decision based on the best available information at the time.”

Officials from Wisconsin, Minnesota and the National Park Service posted signs today regarding the slow no-wake requirement at all public accesses, and marina operators were notified. Those signs will now be removed.

The rule is aimed at reducing shoreline erosion and resulting property damage in areas not usually susceptible to wave action at lower water levels.

High water levels still mean that many islands in the St. Croix will be flooded and unusable for recreational purposes. Even without such restrictions, boaters are urged to slow down on the St. Croix River, Mississippi River and Minnesota River in order to minimize shoreline erosion and other property damage. Many area lakes also have risen to unusually high levels and may be susceptible to shoreline damage resulting from boat wakes.

Boat and water safety officials at the DNR also point out that rain-swollen streams often contain debris floating just below the surface that can pose serious hazards. Boaters should slow down and exercise extra caution in such conditions.
* * *
Anglers to swap out lead tackle this summer

St. Paul, Minnesota, June 12, 2003 — The Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are partnering with retailers, conservation, and outdoors groups to offer lead tackle exchanges across the state this summer. Over 17 lead tackle exchange events are scheduled beginning this month. Anglers can bring lead sinkers and jigs to the event to trade for non-lead ones.

“We want to offer anglers throughout Minnesota the chance to try out and compare non-lead tackle made from metals such as bitsmuth, tin, and stainless steel,” said Kevin McDonald, coordinator of the OEA’s non-lead tackle program.

Lead is a toxic metal that has adverse effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of mammals and birds. Found in most fishing jigs and sinkers, this metal is poisoning wildlife such as loons and eagles. Carrol Henderson, supervisor of the DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Program, is enthusiastic about the lead exchange program. “This is an excellent opportunity for people who care about wildlife to cooperate with the fishing tackle industry and reduce the amount of lead being deposited in Minnesota’s lakes.”

You can find a listing of lead tackle exchange events on the DNR events calendar. For more information on the program, visit the website of the MN Office of Environmental Assistance.

From the Indiana DNR:

Super-sized steelhead trout entering St. Joe River

The net poles are bending a little further as Indiana DNR biologists collect steelhead trout broodstock in the St. Joseph River this year.

"The fish are averaging two pounds heavier," said Bodine State Fish Hatchery biologist Bob Bell. "The 231 fish trapped so far have weighed an average of 11 pounds, and one out of ten fish are pushing 17 to 18 pounds -- some of the biggest Skamania steelhead we've ever trapped."

For the last ten years, Skamania broodstock trapped and transported to DNR's Bodine State Fish Hatchery near Mishawaka had an average weight of nine pounds.

Each year, biologists collect 700 adult Skamania steelhead at fish ladders in Michigan and Indiana. These summer-migrating trout are kept at the hatchery until they are ready to release eggs in the winter.

Some Skamania begin heading up Michigan's portion of the St. Joe in June, but the bulk of the Skamania run usually hits South Bend and Mishawaka in August and September.

DNR biologist David Meuninck speculates the fish are unusually hulky due to plentiful food, or that migrating fish may be older than usual.

Alewives, one of the primary food fish for trout and salmon in Lake Michigan, have been very abundant in the past few years. But last year's lack-luster steelhead run may be the key.

Last summer, Lake Michigan's water level was low and the water temperatures were high - not ideal conditions for steelhead migrations. Many steelhead may have stayed in the lake to forage, building up reserves for the grueling run up the river to spawn.

"The extra year of foraging might help account for the extra weight of the fish we are seeing this year," said Meuninck.

Meuninck is guardedly optimistic about what this will mean for St. Joe Skamania anglers this summer and fall.

"We could have some amazed anglers and a few more snapped lines," he said.

Lake Michigan and tributary fishing information: http://www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/lkmich/open.html

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Sylvan Lake a Mecca for northern Indiana anglers

Nearly 20 years after one of the most successful fish management projects in northern Indiana, Sylvan Lake is still a Mecca for area anglers.

Based on early success of a walleye stocking program started two years ago, the 669-acre lake could draw even more anglers in the future.

"Walleye fishing at Sylvan is really going to take off," said Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Jed Pearson. Pearson conducted a fish population survey there in early June and found young walleyes present throughout the lake.

Pearson says anglers are also catching several walleyes, although most haven't yet grown to the 14-inch minimum size limit, so they must be released.

During the June survey, biologists captured 103 walleyes ranging in length from six to 25 inches. One-year-old walleyes stocked last fall now average eight inches long. Two-year-olds stocked in 2001 now average 12 1/2 inches.

Pearson says nearly all of these two-year-old walleyes will likely exceed the size limit later this summer. When stocked, they were about six inches long.

Four 22- to 25-inch walleyes were also caught during the survey. These fish are the few survivors that remain from a stocking of two-inch fingerlings in 1996.

Sylvan Lake Turn Around

Twenty years ago, Sylvan Lake was overrun with carp, suckers and small crappies. Carp muddied the water, uprooted aquatic plants, damaged fish habitat and hurt fishing.

In 1984, DNR biologists treated Sylvan Lake and many of its tributaries with rotenone to remove the carp and establish a sport fishery comprised of bass, bluegills and channel catfish. Water quality and fishing improved dramatically.

Walleyes were added as a bonus, but later stockings were not very successful and were discontinued.

Since the renovation, carp reproduction has slowed due to a dense population of predatory bass, which are protected by a 14-inch minimum size limit.

At the time, cost of the lake renovation project was $125,000, paid by funds from fishing licenses and from the federal sport fish restoration program.

"I think anglers, lake residents and the entire Sylvan Lake community have gotten back more than their money's worth of investment in the lake," said Pearson. "What we did to turn the lake around in 1984 and the larger walleye fingerlings we are now stocking should continue to pay big dividends in the future."

From Hooked on Fishing International

DO'S AND DON'TS OF FISHING WITH KIDS

www.kids-fishing.com

Northerly Island Given Back To The People

By Joe Danzl - ChicagoFishingLinks.com - Click here to view more photos

Although Northerly Island has been open to fishing for the last week or so, Saturday was the "Official" Grand Opening as the Chicago Park District and Henry's Sport and Bait sponsored a Perch Derby that is sure to be an annual event.  Originally scheduled for DuSable  Harbor, the event was moved to Northerly Island after the courts upheld Mayor Daley's

As with most contests, there were medal winners.  But the biggest winners were all who showed up and participated in this historic event.  The medals went to the

A big THANK YOU goes out to Mayor Daley, Bob Long and his staff at the Chicago Park District, and of course the Palmisano Brothers and the Henry's staff for putting on such a great event.  See you all next year!!

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Bowman gets writing honor:

Chicago Sun-Times outdoors columnist Dale Bowman earned first-place honors in the Outdoor Writers Association of America's Excellence in Craft contest. His story "Simply Divine,'' about rafting the Vermilion River and considering access issues around it, won in the boating/paddlesports category for newspapers. It was the only writing honor given to an Illinois newspaper and the first for the Sun-Times.

No More Asian Bighead Carp Found In McKinley Lagoon.

The photos to the left are of the actual fish caught by Angler Sam Pena on June 5th.  As you can see, the "beast" has been kept frozen at Henry's Sport and Bait, located at 31st & Canal.  Steve was kind enough to have it pulled out for a few last photos.  Thanks again Steve!

If you come across one of these beasts, DO NOT THROW IT BACK.  Save it in a garbage bag and try to keep it frozen until the IDNR is notified.  Steve tells me that Henry's will take the fish and make notifications if necessary.

For more info, click here to visit the Asian Carp page of the IDNR.

(Click on the photos below to view at full size)

The Associated Press and ABC 7 in Chicago reported that an Illinois man drowned while trying to untangle a fishing line.  The accident occurred at the Horseshoe Lake State Park in Granite Illinois.  Click here for a link to the ABC 7 report.

From the Chicago Park District

FREE Perch Derby at Northerly Island

Chicago Park District Opens Northerly Island to Fishing

The Chicago Park District will host the first FREE Northerly Island Perch Derby on Saturday, June 21 from 6 am to noon. Northerly Island has been off limits to fisherman for decades and offers some of the finest shore fishing in the city.

“Northerly Islands is an ideal site for shore fishing that has been off limits for far too long,” said Chicago Park District Fishing Program Manager Bob Long, Jr. “The habitat and water currents, as well as rocky, wavy conditions along almost one mile of shoreline, make it suitable only to shore fishing and a new hot spot for Chicago anglers.”

Registration for the Perch Derby is from 5 to 6 am, and all contestants over age 16 must have a valid fishing license. The Perch Fishing Derby is open to people of all ages. First through third place fish, in both a Perch and Panfish category, will win gift certificates to Henry’s Bait Shop. All registered participants are entered in a raffle for various prizes.

Anglers will need to supply their own equipment.

For more information about fishing in Chicago call Henry’s Bait Shop at 312.225.8538 or visit the website at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

LAKE ERIE DREDGING PROJECTS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $480,000

COLUMBUS, OH - Recreational boaters will notice improved waterway navigation along four Lake Erie sites thanks to more than $480,000 in grants from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The funds will be used for dredging activities in Ashtabula, Lake, Lorain and Ottawa counties.

The largest grant award is $198,000 for the City of Mentor in Lake County for dredging within the waters of the Mentor Lagoons Marina. A $180,000 grant was awarded to the Conneaut Port Authority in Ashtabula County for maintenance dredging of recreational boating channels located in Conneaut Harbor. A $62,250 grant was awarded to Carroll Township in Ottawa County for traditional dredging at the entrance of the Toussaint River as it joins with Lake Erie. And a grant of more than $40,000 was awarded to the Lorain Port Authority in Lorain County for dredging in the east basin of Lorain Harbor.

The ODNR Division of Watercraft administers the Recreation Harbor Evaluation Program grants. The grants program is funded through the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund, which consists of watercraft registration and titling fees and a percentage of the state gasoline sales tax.

Additional information on recreational boating in Ohio and ODNR grant programs is available at ohiodnr.com

From the IDNR:

Braidwood and LaSalle lakes will reopen for recreation on Saturday

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – Braidwood and LaSalle lakes will reopen for recreation on Saturday, May 31 at sunrise, the Department of Natural Resources announced today.
The two lakes, which provide the cooling water for nuclear power plants, were closed last week following a heightened national security alert. The lakes will be open under their regular schedule until further notice.

IDNR News Bits

Braidwood and LaSalle Lakes Closed again until further notice

Don Dziedzina of Illinois Outdoors passed along the following notification from Carol Knowles of the IDNR:

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - As a result of the President raising the security level from yellow to orange, the Department of Natural Resources is announcing the closing of the lakes that provide the
cooling water for the nuclear power plants at Braidwood and LaSalle beginning Wednesday, May 21, until further notice.

There have been no specific or credible threats to any site in Illinois, according to law enforcement and federal intelligence agencies. All other lakes at nuclear power plant sites remain open on their normal schedules at this time.

Thanks for the early notification Don. - JD

Click here for more Homeland Security links.

From the Wisconsin DNR:

Lake sturgeon to return to the Milwaukee River

MILWAUKEE , Wis. – For the first time in more than a century, lake sturgeon will cruise the Milwaukee River, capitalizing on improvements in water quality and the removal of the North Avenue Dam that once blocked spawning runs of this ancient, gigantic fish.

On Monday, May 12, fisheries crews from the Department of Natural Resources and a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Great Lakes Water Institute scientist will transfer up to 60,000 weeks-old sturgeon to the Milwaukee River at Grafton. The stocking will occur between 1 and 2:30 p.m. in Lime Kiln Park.

The stocking is a milestone in the resurrection of a river not long ago given up for dead, and for Wisconsin’s lake sturgeon management program, which is 100 years old this year. Having protected and nurtured in Lake Winnebago what is now the world’s largest lake sturgeon population, the program is focusing on restoring lake sturgeon in other parts of its original range in Wisconsin.

“This represents the first stocking in a Lake Michigan tributary that we know of and is an important step in a multi-agency effort to help restore lake sturgeon to Lake Michigan,” says Brad Eggold, DNR’s Southern Lake Michigan fisheries team supervisor.

“It also signifies to a great extent the work that’s been done in the Milwaukee River watershed to clean up pollution and to remove dams that blocked the fish’s passage, most importantly the removal of the North Avenue Dam in 1997. That progress makes the return of sturgeon possible after more than 100 years.”

The project is funded in part by a grant from the National Marine Fisheries Service and a contribution from the Milwaukee River Revitalization Council. Future lake sturgeon rehabilitation efforts in Lake Michigan will be guided by a lake-wide plan being developed by a task group of the Lake Michigan Committee. That committee establishes broad fish community objectives for Lake Michigan and coordinates management activities of mutual interest among representatives from the Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois Departments of Natural Resources, and the Chippewa-Ottawa Resource Authority.

Fred Binkowski, the WATER Institute scientist who raised the sturgeon in his laboratory on Lake Michigan, said the stocking was another feather in the cap of a state management program regarded as an international model.

“It could be 25 years before we start seeing the results of this, but to one day have people standing on the Wisconsin Avenue bridge as these magnificent fish make their spawning run – that will be the crowning jewel,” Binkowski says.

Lake sturgeon can grow to 200 pounds and live 100 years. Female sturgeon don’t start spawning until they are 20 to 25 years old, and males start at 10 years or so, so most of the current biologists working on the project will be retired if and when the fish start their spawning runs.

The small lake sturgeon being stocked in the Milwaukee River and a companion stocking set for the same week in the Manitowoc River are being transferred at a small size because the literature suggests that smaller fish may more successfully “imprint” on the water where they’re released and return to these waters years later to spawn, Eggold says.

Also, the fish being stocked are different ages. Though only a few days separate them, that could be enough to make a difference in survival, Eggold says. The younger fish haven’t yet started feeding on outside food, but have subsisted on their egg sacs, and the older fish have moved on to eat food Binkowski feeds them.

“We want to see whether there is food in the river now that coincides with their needs at these life stages,” Binkowski says.

The fish themselves are hatched from eggs and milt coming from two different locations – the Fox River and the Wolf River – in an attempt to increase the genetic diversity and produce a fish that’s better fit for the particular water, he says.

Getting to adulthood will be a challenge. DNR surveys of the river reveal good habitat for overwintering and spawning, but the lake sturgeon will be only about ¾ -inch long at stocking, and must first survive these initial months, and then subsequent years of eluding predators and finding sufficient food.

Even then, as the survivors begin their spawning runs, they’ll still encounter some obstacles: namely, remaining dams on the Milwaukee River. Eggold hopes DNR can work with dam owners in coming years so they operate the dams or remove or change the structures to allow the fish to migrate.

But Eggold marvels at the possibility of returning an ancient fish species to a river that just 30 years ago was highly polluted and home only to carp and a handful of other hardy fish species.

DNR’s program requiring all wastewater dischargers to meet pollution limits, and the investments that those public and private dischargers have made, have greatly reduced pollution in the river from industry and municipal wastewater treatment plants; state and local efforts to reduce polluted runoff from farms and urban areas also has helped. Finally, in 1997, the City of Milwaukee, DNR and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spent $4.5 million to remove the 17-foot high, 350-foot wide North Avenue Dam and to reclaim habitat and improve conditions along the river. The removal of the structure, which was about three miles upstream of the Milwaukee River confluence with Lake Michigan, marked the first time since 1835 that that stretch of the river flowed freely.

Today, 30 species of fish have been documented in the Milwaukee River, including the Greater redhorse, a state threatened species, and under suitable flow conditions, trout and salmon have migrated about 30-miles upstream to the Village of Grafton and Cedarburg on Cedar Creek


Fish stocking in Beaver Dam Lake

BEAVER DAM, Wis.– Department of Natural Resources hatchery and operations crews supplied the Beaver Dam Lake Improvement Association with about 870,000 northern pike and 2 million walleye eggs this year.

DNR gives the eggs to the lake improvement association as part of a cooperative rearing agreement to operate a portable fish hatchery on Beaver Dam Lake.

The eggs were collected by DNR from Lake Puckaway in Green Lake County and Lake Delavan in Walworth County.

Besides the eggs, the DNR recently stocked an additional 300,000 northern pike fry and three million walleye fry in Beaver Dam Lake, a 6,542-acre impoundment on the Beaver Dam River.

Since the 1987 chemical treatment, DNR has stocked over 33 million northern pike and 49 million walleye into Beaver Dam Lake. Altogether, 86 million fish representing 12 different species have been stocked into the lake over the last 15 years.

Detroit River/Lake Erie boundary change helps anglers obey law

Michigan State conservation officials today reminded anglers of a new legal boundary on the lower Detroit River, enacted to simplify law enforcement and help anglers follow the law.

The legal boundary between the Detroit River and Lake Erie has been changed. Previously, the boundary demarking where the Detroit River ends and where Lake Erie begins was Oak Street in Wyandotte. The new boundary, changed by law and effective last June, is listed in the 2003 Michigan Trout and Salmon Guide (http://www.mdnr-elicense.com/welcome.asp) as an imaginary east-west line across the southern tip of Celeron Island, approximately 4 miles to the south.

The area from Oak Street to the southern tip of Celeron Island is now considered Great Lakes Connecting Waters, instead of Great Lakes waters, and will be subject to an opening date of June 7 for muskellunge and June 21 for largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Lt. Dave Purol of DNR’s Law Enforcement Division noted that the Oak Street boundary, which did not extend to the lake shore, was not easily recognizable by the fishing public.

“It made enforcement difficult, and confused many anglers,” Purol said. “Celeron Island is a prominent physical structure in the lower Detroit River, making it a more logical boundary.”

Leading Experts Convene In Chicago To Address Issues Of Harmful Invasive Species

Asian carp, Zebra mussel and other species endanger Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin ecosystems – threaten $4.5 billion fishing industry and impact water quality

CHICAGO (May 14, 2003) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley, the Chicago Department of Environment and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today kicked off a two-day Aquatic Invasive Species Summit that brings together more than 60 scientists and researchers from around the world. Their goal is to discuss and develop long-term solutions for prevention of invasive species exchange between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins.

Invasive species that are not native to specific waters can have a devastating impact on the environment and interfere with waterway transportation, pollution control and flood control. They also threaten the $4.5 billion commercial sport and fishing industries in the Great Lakes. Over the last 40 years, a new invasive species has been identified every eight months.

Mayor Daley urged summit attendees to develop real, long-term solutions and overall guidance to address the issue of invasive species.

"We need to start working on a permanent solution to this growing problem, and that's the purpose of this summit," said Mayor Daley. "The longer you put off solving a problem, the more it costs you in the long run. With the increase of global travel and trade, we can expect new pests to arrive even more frequently in the future."

Protecting the Great Lakes from harmful invasive species is part of a much larger water agenda initiative that the Mayor unveiled last month that calls for water conservation, water quality protection, green infrastructure, stormwater management and public awareness. The Great Lakes contain 95 percent of the nation's fresh surface water supply.

Non-native species threaten native species. More than 160 non-native species now live in the Great Lakes drainage basin, and nearly the same number live in the Mississippi River drainage basin. These two basins are connected by the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Cal-Sag Channel (CSSC), which together constitute a "revolving door" for invasive species.

The zebra mussel and round goby are among species that already have traveled from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. At least four more have the potential to move between the two basins, including the bighead carp and silver carp. These two types of Asian carp have traveled from the Mississippi River to the Illinois River and could soon enter the Great Lakes.

An experimental electric barrier designed to repel fish has been operating in the Sanitary & Ship Canal for roughly a year. It does not prevent the exchange of all invasive species and life stages. For example, plankton and species in immature life stages can still cross the barrier. The barrier has a maximum service life of three years; a second barrier will be in place by fall 2004. But a better, long-term solution is necessary.

Summit participants will examine the full range of alternatives. At the event's conclusion, they will emerge with priority action steps and a preliminary work plan for protecting the Great Lakes and Mississippi River drainage basins.

Other summit sponsors and participants include the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources; the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council; the Consulate General of Canada; the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association; the International Joint Commission; and leading university researchers.

State fish and wildlife agencies in the Midwest will share more than $96 million in excise taxes paid by hunters, anglers and boaters.

The agencies will use the money for fish and wildlife conservation by acquiring land, improving habitat, and conducting research, education, and other programs. The funds will also help pay for hunter safety and aquatic education and fish and wildlife-related recreation projects. The funds are part of a total of more than $478 million apportioned nationwide under two Federal Aid programs administered by the Interior Department's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The wildlife restoration apportionment for the ServiceÌs eight-state Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region is more than $43 million, with $8.4 million apportioned for hunter education. The sport fish restoration apportionment for the region for 2003 is nearly $53 million.

Nationally, the wildlife restoration apportionment for 2003 totals $213 million, with $39 million apportioned for hunter education. The nationwide apportionment for sport fish restoration for 2003 totals more than $265 million.

The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act), enacted in 1937, and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson Act), enacted in 1950, collectively have raised more than $8.5 billion.

Wildlife Restoration Program funds are made available based on land area (plus inland waters such as lakes and large rivers) and the number of hunting license holders in each state. Distribution of hunter education funds is based on the relative population of each state. The Service distributes sport fish restoration funds to the states based on the land and water area (land plus inland water, the Great Lakes and marine coastal areas) and the number of fishing license holders in each state.

Federal Aid funds pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of each project while the states contribute at least 25 percent.

The Wildlife Restoration Program money is derived from an 11 percent excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition, a 10 percent tax on pistols and revolvers, and an 11 percent tax on certain archery equipment. Half of the tax on handguns and archery equipment is made available for state hunter education and safety programs.

States use Wildlife Restoration Program funds to manage wildlife populations, habitat, research, surveys and inventories and to fund hunter education.

The Sport Fish Restoration funding results from a 10 percent excise tax on fishing equipment and a 3 percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar fish finders. The Wallop-Breaux legislation of 1984 increased the tax base for sport fish restoration to include a portion of the federal fuels tax and import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats.

States use Sport Fish Restoration Program funds to stock fish; acquire and improve sport fish habitat; provide aquatic resource education opportunities; conduct fisheries research; and build boat ramps, fishing piers, and other facilities necessary to provide recreational boating access.

Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration apportionments for fiscal year 2003 for the Midwest are as follows:

Federal Aid is Sport Fish Restoration apportionments for fiscal year 2003 for the Midwest are as follows:

State Apportionment

Please visit the Service's Division of Federal Aid website at http://federalaid.fws.gov for information on Federal Aid apportionments.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

CLTV Misses Scoop

Live and learn. Let's hope they did a little learnin' there.

NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

ANNUAL DOWNSTATE GOLF BENEFIT FOR ILLINOIS CONSERVATION FOUNDATION SET FOR JUNE 3

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Conservation Foundation's 8th Annual Downstate Golf Benefit to support youth fishing, hunting and other educational programs will be held on Tuesday, June 3 at The Rail Golf Club in Sherman near Springfield.

"The golf outing is a wonderful opportunity for our friends to join us in support of our natural resources and outdoor recreation," said Joel Brunsvold, Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Chairman of the ICF Board. "This year in particular, it's also a chance for everyone to come out to renew old acquaintances and to spend some time with me and some of the other new faces at the Department."

The downstate golf outing continues to be one of the most popular events conducted by the Foundation, raising money to support youth deer, turkey and waterfowl hunts, along with family-oriented activities including Free Fishing Days and National Hunting and Fishing Days.

The golf registration fee is $150 per person, while foursomes may register for just $500. The fee includes golf greens fees and cart, lunch, dinner, beverages, awards and prizes. The field is limited to 144 players.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to support the ICF golf benefit, and ultimately youth hunting and fishing programs, by becoming a hole sponsor for $500 each.

The four-person scramble format golf competition will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Lunch begins at 11:45 a.m., dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the awards program follows at 6 p.m.

To register for the golf outing, become a sponsor, or for more information, contact IDNR Public Events and Promotions, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, call 217/785-8955, SBC Relay 800/526-0844, TDD 217/782-9175, or e-mail us at events@dnrmail.state.il.us.

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THINK SAFETY FIRST WHEN BOATING: WEAR LIFE JACKETS, BE ALERT, STAY SOBER

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Boat operators and passengers can enhance the enjoyment of their time on Illinois lakes, rivers and streams by wearing life jackets, staying sober and being alert to others on the water, according to Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold.

"The number of boating accidents, injuries and fatalities rose last year in Illinois, and in most cases those involved were not wearing life jackets," Brunsvold said. "This year, we are reminding boat operators and passengers to wear their life jackets, slow down, stay sober and improve their chances of having a safe, enjoyable experience while boating."

Statistics compiled by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Law Enforcement show 23 people died and 92 others were injured in boating-related accidents in 2002. That compares to eight fatalities and 75 injuries in boating accidents in Illinois in 2001, 14 fatalities and 76 injuries in 2000, 13 deaths and 75 injuries in 1999, and 19 fatalities and 107 injuries in 1998.

There were a total of 135 boating accidents involving 188 vessels on Illinois waters last year. That compares with 112 boating accidents involving 171 vessels in 2001, 155 boating accidents involving 231 vessels in 2000, and 159 boating accidents involving 238 vessels in 1999. There were a total of 176 boating accidents in 1998.

Reports indicate that at least 16 of the 23 boaters who died in Illinois accidents last year were not wearing life jackets.

"There is no doubt that life jackets save lives," said Tom Wakolbinger, director of the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement. "Most of those who died in Illinois boating accidents last

year might have survived had they been wearing a life jacket. The two people who died while wearing life jackets died from blunt trauma."

Illinois law requires that life jackets, also known as personal floatation devices (PFDs), be available for each person aboard a boat or other watercraft. State law also requires anyone operating a personal watercraft to wear a life jacket, and anyone under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket while aboard any watercraft under 26 feet in length at all times the boat is underway, unless they are below deck in an enclosed cabin or operating on private property.

The IDNR offers free boating safety courses to review boating laws and provide instruction on the safe and attentive operation of watercraft. Safety course schedules are available by contacting the IDNR Safety Education Office at 800/832-2599, SBC Relay 800/526-0844, TDD 217/782-9175, or by checking the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us.

"The safety courses are taught by hundreds of dedicated volunteer instructors and are a key to the state's boating safety effort," said Wakolbinger. "More than two-thirds of boaters injured in accidents last year had not participated in a formal boat safety education course."

Of last year's 92 injuries and 23 fatalities in boating accidents, 48 injuries and 14 fatalities occurred on open motorboats, while 29 injuries and two fatalities involved personal watercraft and 13 injuries and four fatalities involved cabin motorboats. The other injury accidents involved sail, pontoon and row boats.

Among the primary causes of boating accidents in 2002, careless or reckless operation, operator inexperience, excessive speed and hazardous water conditions were the most frequently cited contributing factors.

"Most boat accidents are preventable," said Wakolbinger. "Most boat accidents occur on clear, sunny days with mild winds and good visibility. Operator inattention or carelessness, along with a lack of boater education, appear to be key contributors to accidents."

Alcohol use was listed as the primary cause of six boating accidents, five injuries and two fatalities in the state last year. Boaters are reminded that strict enforcement of laws against operating under the influence (OUI) will continue.

"Conservation Police Officers and other law enforcement personnel will continue to emphasize OUI enforcement because they know keeping impaired boaters off the water makes boating safer for everyone," Wakolbinger said. "Boat operators will be arrested if testing shows their blood alcohol concentration exceeds .08. There were 275 OUI arrests and 81 operator privilege suspensions related to OUI offenses last year."

National Safe Boating Week is observed each year during the week preceding the Memorial Day holiday weekend. This year's National Safe Boating Week observance is May 17-23. The campaign's theme, which emphasizes use of life jackets, is "Boat Smart. Boat Safe. Wear It!"

For the full text of the 2002 boating accident report, see the Department's web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/law3.

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The Department of Natural Resources reminds you to leave young wildlife you may encounter outdoors alone - do not interfere with them or try to move them. Well-intentioned people believe they are helping an animal when they remove it from the wild, especially when they think it has been abandoned by its mother. However, mothers have to leave their offspring occasionally to forage for food and will return.

Many young animals die within a few days of being removed from their environment because people have no idea of their nutritional requirements. Those that survive often are deposited back into the wild without having had the chance to acquire the skills their mothers would have taught them.

Wildlife also should be left in their natural environment because of the diseases they can transmit to humans and domestic animals. For instance, raccoons may be infected with a roundworm that is dangerous to humans. Some wild animals can carry rabies (a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system) and tularemia (a bacterial disease carried by infected rodents). Wild animals also may be infested with ticks, fleas, lice or other parasites.

Nature protects young animals by camouflaging them with mottled coloring and giving them little or no scent that predators can detect. The white-tailed deer, for example, has a spotted coat for camouflage. A fawn gives off very little scent, and will lay motionless if it notices any movement. Nests of baby rabbits include the mother's underbelly fur to help make them less visible. Baby raccoons wait until a certain age to emerge from their nesting cavities in trees.

Individuals who come across injured wildlife should leave the animal alone and let nature takes its course. However, if an injured animal is a threat to public safety, an animal control officer or a wildlife rehabilitation center should be contacted. These centers specialize in caring for an animal until it can be returned to its natural environment. The name of the nearest wildlife rehabilitator can be obtained by contacting the local office of the Department of Natural Resources.

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The Department of Natural Resources is offering a Volunteer Projects Directory, listing volunteer opportunities statewide. The directory is available through DNR's Constituency Services staff. Call 217/782-4963 or visit the web site at http://dnr.state.il.us.

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REMINDER: Nominations are being accepted THROUGH June 13 by the Illinois Conservation Foundation for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made significant commitments to natural resource protection and outdoor recreation in Illinois. Nominees should include those outdoor sportsmen and women who truly have made significant contributions or exhibited unparalleled dedication in preserving, promoting, enhancing or supporting natural resources or outdoor recreational opportunities in Illinois.

All nominations must be submitted on an official nomination form, which may be obtained by contacting Kathy Wheeler, Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/785-2003, e-mail icf@dnrmail.state.il.us.
More information is also available through the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org.

The induction banquet for the new class will be held at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace on Friday, Feb. 20, 2004.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization which has raised more than $16 million in support of programs and projects of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources since 1995.

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The boat ramp and dock at Fort Massac State Park is still closed due to construction. The construction on the historic site with the building of a replica of a 1802 American Fort is to be completed later this year. A French and Indian War Reenactment will be hosted by the Massiac Marines on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25. The reenactment will be held near the Seventh Street entrance to the park. There will be demonstrations of military life, and a mock battle each day. No food vendors will be at the event, and admission is free.

On June 29, Bowman's Company will reenact the march of George Rogers Clark from Fort Massac to Kaskaskia. Bowman's Company will start at Fort Massac on Sunday, June 29, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. they will do a living history program at the park. Early the morning of Monday, June 30, they will start their march to the first camp site at Forman.

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"This is a great opportunity for us to give something back to the community and to help a very worthy cause," said Braidwood's Site Vice President Jim von Suskil. "The tournament conducted last fall earned over $5000 for the Beth Ann Miller Health Foundation to assist in their fight against bacterial meningitis. We hope to build on that success."

Competing fishermen will have a chance to have some fun and at the same time win some impressive cash prizes. The first place team will reel in $2500, with second and third place netting $1500 and $1000, respectively.

The tournament will commence from Braidwood Lake's Kankakee Road (South) Ramp. The entry fee is $100 per team with all proceeds, including 100% of all tournament entry fees, going to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Rules and entry forms are available on the Internet at www.exeloncorp.com/programs/Braidwood/fishingtournament.

To receive an entry form by mail or for more information, contact Braidwood Generating Station Communications Director Neal Miller via e-mail at Neal.Miller@exeloncorp.com or by telephone at (815) 417-3184.

NOTE:  We will also conduct registration from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 10 at the Kankakee Road Ramp (South Ramp) at the lake.

From the Ohio DNR

Another Year of Great Fishing Expected for Lake Erie in 2003

Anglers can again expect to find some of the nation’s finest and most diverse fishing opportunities this year on Lake Erie, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

"Whether targeting the lake’s famous walleyes, plentiful perch, hard-fighting smallmouth bass or steelhead trout , great fishing opportunities are available this year on Lake Erie,” said Roger Knight, Lake Erie fisheries program manager for the ODNR Division of Wildlife.

"Fishing should be good to excellent for most species this year,” said Knight. “With a large charter boat fleet, numerous boat ramps and marinas, and shoreline access to the lake and its tributaries, anglers should take advantage of the fishing experiences that Lake Erie offers.”

Walleye

An abundant 2001 walleye hatch will enter the Lake Erie fishery this year. As a result, state fish biologists expect this season’s anglers to reel in plenty of good walleye catches. The plentiful two-year-old fish from the 2001 hatch will measure 13 to 15 inches. Anglers can also expect to catch a good number of fish from the 1999 hatch that will measure 16 to 18 inches. Anglers should anticipate 20 to 26 inch catches from the 1996 and 1998 hatches, as well as some fish from earlier hatches now in the Fish Ohio category at more than 28 inches. The reduced bag limit for Ohio anglers remains in effect at four walleyes during March and April and six walleyes the remainder of the year.

"Long cold winters normally benefit young walleye by helping reduce the numbers of other fish species - such as gizzard shad, alewife and white perch - who compete for the same food sources as the walleye,” said Knight.

More important to a successful walleye spawn, he added, is warm and mild spring weather. Knight said it is worth noting that it was the combination of cold winters and mild springs during the 1980s that helped produce that decade’s now world-renowned Lake Erie walleye fishery.

"We actually have just as many spawning walleyes in Lake Erie today as we did in the early 80s,” said Knight.

Yellow Perch

The excellent perch fishing anglers have experienced since the mid-1990s should continue through 2003 and beyond. Limit catches of large yellow perch, common across the lake last year, should again be attainable on many trips. Many of these excellent table-fare fish will be in the 9 to 13 inch range with August, September, and October being the peak harvest months.Conservative regulations for sport and commercial fishermen and improved spawns have helped Lake Erie's yellow perch stocks to gradually recover after low levels in the early 1990s.

This season, thanks to an excellent hatch in 1996, anglers should continue reeling in fine catches of perch measuring 10 to 12 inches. Added to the catch will be perch from the 1998 and 1999 spawns, measuring 8 to 10 inches. Catch rates should peak in September and October and rival those of 2002. Ohio's daily bag limit for yellow perch remains at 30 fish per angler.


Smallmouth Bass

Fishing for Lake Erie's third most popular sport species should remain good to excellent during 2003. Smallmouth bass anglers can expect to land smallies from 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 classes now ranging in size from 14 to 18 inches. Typical catches will be in the 14 to 18 inch range and weigh 1.5 to 3.5 pounds. Fishing should be good at many of the traditional spots especially in the spring and fall. Successful spawns over the past decade have provided excellent smallmouth bass fishing opportunities across Lake Erie. Anglers target smallmouth bass from spring through fall with the best action occurring in May, June and September. If recent trends continue, anglers will see catch rates similar to that of 2002. Hot spots should include the Lake Erie islands area, Western Basin Reef Complex, Sandusky Bay, Ruggles Reef, and harbor breakwalls from Cleveland to Conneaut. The daily bag limit for smallmouth bass is five fish with a minimum size length of 14 inches.

Steelhead Trout

On the open lake, anglers should look for peak steelhead action on the waters off Lorain to Conneaut throughout June and August, with catches measuring 19 to 28 inches. Many charter guides now offer steelhead charters as an alternative to traditional walleye charters. Once Lake Erie's steelhead move into central basin streams in the fall, these feisty fish provide additional angling opportunities for wading stream anglers throughout the fall and winter months. The Division of Wildlife maintains this popular fishery by releasing approximately 400,000 steelhead trout each spring in the Vermilion, Rocky, Chagrin and Grand rivers and Conneaut Creek.

Fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly. Adjusting fishing methods according to current conditions is key to the best success. Anglers should take into account such factors as season, cloud cover, water clarity, boat traffic, wave action, and amount of prey fish present. Electronic equipment to mark fish is advisable. Once a school of fish is located, anglers should try various techniques including drifting, trolling, and jigging at various depths in the water column.
For a recorded Lake Erie fishing report, call 1-888 HOOKFISH.

INTERNATIONAL QUOTA AGREEMENT FOR LAKE ERIE WALLEYE AND PERCH FISHERIES ANNOUNCED

Harvest quotas for the 2003 Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries have been set by the Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and will remain largely unchanged from the previous year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

This year, the entire lake’s annual harvest quota of walleye is again set at 3.4 million fish, while the yellow perch quota is up slightly to 9.9 million pounds.

The Lake Erie Committee is made up of fisheries managers representing Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario. Each year this committee sets the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), which reflects the number of fish that can be taken from the lake without harming these populations.

“By pooling our resources to monitor and manage this great fishery, we’re cooperatively working to attain healthy fish populations and an equitable distribution of fisheries benefits among our member agencies,” said Roger Knight, ODNR’S Lake Erie Committee representative.

“Two years ago, we committed as a group to lowering the walleye quota to allow this species at least three years to rebuild its population,” said Gary Isbell, fish management and research administrator for ODNR’s Division of Wildlife. Isbell noted that since 2001, the walleye TAC has remained at 3.4 million fish.

Each state is allotted a share of the total allowable catch, determined by a formula based on surface area within each jurisdiction. Ohio and Ontario receive the highest quotas because their waters encompass the highest percentage of the lake. Of the 2003 quota, Ohio's share is just over 1.7 million, about 51 percent of the total. Ontario's share is just under 1.5 million walleye, about 43 percent of the total allocation. The remainder is shared by New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Ohio’s daily bag limit for walleye caught in Lake Erie and its tributaries will not change. Anglers may harvest four fish from March 1 through April 30, and six fish from May 1 through the last day in February per angler.

Sport fishing on Lake Erie is a catalyst that draws anglers from all across the nation and helps boost local economies all along the lakeshore.

“Last year, walleye fishing got off to a slow start because of the cold and rainy spring weather, but anglers saw improvement as the summer progressed,” said Isbell. “We anticipate anglers experiencing a better season this year, with good numbers of 19- to 22-inch walleye from the 1999 hatch, many 13- to 15-inch fish from the 2001 hatch, and some 24- to 27-inchers from the 1996 hatch,” he added.

This three-year conservation effort for walleye follows the similar successful action taken by the Lake Erie Committee to boost the population of yellow perch. The perch population is improved to the point the Lake Erie Committee slightly increased the 2003 total allowable catch for yellow perch to 9.906 million pounds, up from 9.333 million pounds in 2002.

Yellow perch quotas for individual jurisdictions surrounding the lake are based on a different sharing formula than walleye, involving surface area and past fishing performance. Ohio's share of the 2003 perch allocation is 4.3 million pounds - about two hundred thousand pounds above last year - and is allocated between sport and commercial fisheries.

“The sport fishing catch for yellow perch was tremendous last year and we anticipate it continuing,” said Isbell. “Last year we saw a lot of 30-fish limit catches, and better angler success than in previous years. We should see a repeat of that success again this year.”

Ontario will receive about five million pounds and Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York will share the remainder.

Ohio’s daily bag limit for sport anglers remains at 30 perch per angler. Existing commercial fishery regulations also remain in effect.

The Lake Erie Committee remains concerned about changes in the Lake Erie environment caused by aquatic nuisance species and climate-driven impacts on lake levels. Spring weather patterns adversely affected walleye and yellow perch hatches in 2000 and 2002 and the committee anticipates major cuts in walleye and perch TAC in 2004 and 2005 to help offset these poor hatches. Work by the member agencies will continue through the summer to determine strategies for reducing harvest where necessary and for protecting Lake Erie’s valuable resources.

OHIO FREE FISHING DAYS CELEBRATED MAY 3 AND 4

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio residents are encouraged to take advantage of Free Fishing Days on May 3 and 4 and experience the great fishing Ohio has to offer. During these two days only, Ohioans may fish in any of the state’s public waters without having to purchase a fishing license, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

At all other times of the year, anglers older than 16 years of age are required to have a valid fishing license. An annual resident fishing license costs $15. People aged 66 and older can obtain a free fishing license at any license vendor. A one-day fishing license is also available for $7, and that amount can later be redeemed for credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license. A fishing license is normally required to take fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters.

Ohio’s Free Fishing Days was established in 1993 to promote fishing and allow Ohioans to experience fishing before buying a license. The offer is open to Ohio residents, and extends to all public waters, including Lake Erie and the Ohio River. An estimated 1.5 million people fish each year in Ohio.

Great fishing exists across the state, with Ohio anglers enjoying a wide range of fishing opportunities: from Lake Erie’s renown walleye to Ohio River striped bass, and thousands of miles of streams in between with plentiful smallmouth bass, muskie, catfish, crappie and bluegill.

OPENINGS STILL AVAILABLE FOR UPCOMING WOMEN'S OUTDOORS WORKSHOP

COLUMBUS, OH - Openings are still available for the popular Becoming An Outdoors-Woman workshop to be held May 16 thru 18 in Delaware County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

“There are still a few spots open for this popular program,” said Jen Dennison, coordinator of the Becoming An Outdoors-Woman program. “Women participating in the program are of all ages and walks of life seeking to learn or improve their outdoor skills. Since the program began in 1994, course instructors have received an impressive 100 percent approval rating from participants.”

Twice a year - in May and October - the workshop is held at Recreation Unlimited in Ashley, one hour north of Columbus.

Becoming An Outdoors-Woman is a national program designed to introduce women to a variety of outdoor skills in a comfortable, non-competitive environment. The program offers introductory classes for women to learn skills such as: firearms and safety, canoeing, hunting, photography, archery, fishing, bird watching, and much more.

For a registration form or more information call 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Inland game fishing season opens Saturday, May 3

MADISON – Three hundred and fifty years after Izaak Walton first released "The Compleat Angler," his literary classic extolling the joys of fishing, tens if not hundreds of thousands of anglers will take to Wisconsin waters in search of that same relaxation, and in some cases, a full creel.

May 3 is the opening day of Wisconsin’s 2003 regular inland fishing season. Chances are if the weather is reasonable, many of the state’s 1.4 million licensed anglers will be found on one of Wisconsin’s 15,000 inland lakes or 32,000 perennial miles of stream.

"Fishing on opening day is a tradition that many anglers look forward to all year," says Mike Staggs, director of fisheries management and habitat protection for the Department of Natural Resources. "If the weather’s good, I think we’ll see a lot of people out on the water enjoying themselves."

Wisconsin annually sells about 1.4 million fishing licenses and typically, a large proportion are bought in time to allow the angler to cast a line on opening day. For example, by the end of opening weekend in 2002, 476,446 customers had purchased a license permitting them to fish.

"Wisconsin residents and visitors are hooked on fishing," Staggs says. "Nearly a quarter of Wisconsin adults fish, compared to 16 percent nationally, and Wisconsin is one of the top five destinations for non-resident anglers."

An estimated 1,412,000 anglers 16 years and older fished 22,042,000 days in Wisconsin in 2001 and spent more than $1.22 billion in direct expenditures, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

The total economic impact of sportfishing to Wisconsin’s economy was $2.3 billion, sixth highest in the nation. Sportfishing in 2001 provided more than 26,000 jobs, and brought in $90 million in sales and income tax revenue for the state’s general purpose fund, according to the American Sportfishing Association.

The broad appeal of fishing – Izaak Walton wrote in The Compleat Angler, or the Contemplative Man's Recreation, that there was "no life so happy and pleasant as the life of a well-governed angler" -- is one reason why his book has proved so popular. More than 500 different editions have been issued since the book first appeared in 1653, and it is the third most reprinted book in the English language after the Bible and Pilgrim's Progress, according to the New York Public Library, which hosts a special exhibit on this classic and its author through June 14.

Studies dating to the early 1970s suggest anglers are strongly motivated to fish by four principal factors: temporary escape, achievement, exploration and experiencing natural settings, according to "Factors Influencing Recreational Fishing and Boating Participation," a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service report.

Anglers as a whole attach less importance to catching and keeping fish, compared to other motivations, the report says. However, some angler groups consider the challenge of fishing and the experience of catching fish to be more important than others, with importance varying by the fish species the groups target and whether they fish from shore, a boat, or some other mode. Angler groups that target large fish, for example, reported that the challenge of fishing and the experience of the catch were very important to them, the USFWS report says.

Here’s some basic information anglers will need to help them enjoy their opening weekend of the 2003 regular season on inland waters.

Anglers will have plenty to cast for opening day, May 3, when the game fish season opens on inland waters for walleye, sauger, and northern pike statewide. The largemouth and smallmouth bass southern zone opens May 3 with a minimum length limit of 14 with a daily bag limit of five fish in total. The largemouth and smallmouth bass northern zone opens for catch and release only from May 3 through June 20; from June 21 to March 1, there’s a minimum length limit of 14 inches with a daily bag limit of five fish in total. The northern zone is the area north of highways 77, 64 and 29.

The musky season opens May 3 in the southern zone and May 24 in the northern zone, with Highway 10 the dividing line.

The seasons for rock, yellow and white bass, panfish, bullheads and rough fish, catfish, cisco and whitefish are open all year. Check the 2003-2004 Guide To Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations for special regulations listed by county, for regulations on the Great Lakes and boundary waters, and for tributary streams to Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

Fish population surveys from spring and fall 2002 point to another great year on the water. Musky populations are at or near-historic highs; trout anglers will find 10,000 miles of class I, II, and III streams to fish, Lake Winnebago walleye populations are in excellent shape, and Lake Michigan chinook fishing should be strong again, although not likely as hot as in summer 2002.

For specific forecasts for many popular fishing waters, read the DNR 2003 Wisconsin Fishing Report available on the DNR Web site and in hard copy at DNR service centers and, in limited supply, at businesses that sell Wisconsin fishing licenses. More information on where to fish is also on the Fish Wisconsin page of the DNR Web site.

Wisconsin residents and nonresidents who are 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. People can buy licenses in three quick and convenient ways:

• Call toll free at 1-877-945-4236
• Go online to www.wildlifelicense.com/wi
• Visit any license agent location or DNR service center

The complete 2003-2004 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations is available at DNR offices and license agents. It also can be found in portable document format (.pdf) by visiting www.fishingwisconsin.org, then look under the "Fishing in Wisconsin" for "Regulations" or contact the Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection at (608) 267-7498 for more details.

New major statewide rule changes for hook and line fishing took effect April 1, 2003, unless noted, and are listed below. Check the "Special regulations by County" in the 2003-2004 Guide for county listings of waters where the size and/or bag limits differ from the statewide rules.

• Trout Regulations Simplification - The entire trout regulation category system was simplified, with the changes effective March 1, 2003. Please see the related story in this issue of DNR News and check out the Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide, 2003-2004.
• Cisco (lake herring) and whitefish in the Great Lakes - The daily bag limit for cisco, lake herring, whitefish, and their hybrids has been changed to 10 fish in total on all Great Lakes waters.
• Muskellunge in Green Bay and Lake Michigan - The minimum length limit for muskellunge has been increased to 50 inches on Green Bay, Lake Michigan and Lake Michigan tributaries in the northern muskellunge zone (north of Waldo Boulevard in the City of Manitowoc).
• Yellow perch in Lake Michigan - The closed season for yellow perch has been changed to May 1 through June 15 on Lake Michigan and tributaries.
• Salmon in Lake Superior - The 15-inch minimum length limit for salmon on Lake Superior has been eliminated.
• Brook trout in Lake Superior - The minimum length limit for brook trout on Lake Superior has been increased to 20 inches and the daily bag limit has been reduced to one.
• Walleye in Escanaba Lake - The minimum length limit for walleye on Escanaba Lake, a state-designated research lake where a new study is starting, has been increased to 28 inches and the bag limit reduced to one effective May 3, 2003.
• Unattended fishing lines - During the open-water portion of the fishing season, anglers will be required to remain within 100 yards of all their lines at all times.

Although fish are delicious and nutritious, some contain contaminants at levels that can pose health risks to people who eat fish fish frequently. To help people reduce their exposure to these contaminants, the state issues advice to help anglers plan what fish to keep as well as how often and how much fish to eat. Please read the information below and consult the complete fish consumption advisory, found online at www.fishingwisconsin.org, then look under "Wisconsin Fish," and "Consumption Advice."

• One meal per week of panfish such as bluegill, sunfish, black crappie, white crappie, yellow perch or bullheads AND
• One meal per month of walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white sucker, drum, burbot, sauger, sturgeon, carp, white bass, rock bass or other species.
• People in this sensitive group are advised to not eat musky.

• unlimited amounts of panfish AND
• One meal per week of walleye, northern pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, channel and flathead catfish, white sucker, drum, burbot, sauger, sturgeon, carp, white bass, rock bass and other species.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is now accepting registration applications for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend™, June 6-8, 2003 at the beautiful Lorado Taft Campus in Oregon, Illinois. Try your hand at charting a course, shooting a bow, firing a shot, tying a fly, catching a fish, paddling a canoe, building a campfire or learning to cook with only the supplies you can carry in a backpack. Program instructors provide a supportive, safe, non-threatening and noncompetitive learning environment. First time participants are given priority registration. To find out more information and to obtain a registration form go to the IDNR website: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/BOW/index.htm. Click on the link "registration form" to download the application. You can call for information at 217/782-4080 or e-mail:mallen@dnrmail.state.il.us.

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REMINDER: Nominations are being accepted THROUGH June 13 by the Illinois Conservation Foundation for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made significant commitments to natural resource protection and outdoor recreation in Illinois. Nominees should include those outdoor sportsmen and women who truly have made significant contributions or exhibited unparalleled dedication in preserving, promoting, enhancing or supporting natural resources or outdoor recreational opportunities in Illinois.
All nominations must be submitted on an official nomination form, which may be obtained by contacting Kathy Wheeler, Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/785-2003, e-mail icf@dnrmail.state.il.us. More information is also available through the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org.

The induction banquet for the new class will be held at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace on Friday, Feb. 20, 2004.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization which has raised more than $16 million in support of programs and projects of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources since 1995.

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Planning a Free Fishing Days event this year? Dozens of organizations are expected to conduct fishing derbies and other special events as part of Illinois Free Fishing Days, June 6-9. The four-day celebration promotes sport fishing by providing anglers with the opportunity to fish without purchasing an annual fishing license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp. Free Fishing Days is co-sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Plano Molding Co., the world's largest manufacturer of fishing tackle boxes. Organizations interested in receiving promotional and educational materials to be used as part of a Free Fishing Days event, or for more information, should contact Gary Watson, IDNR Public Events and Promotions, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/782-9990.

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RiverWatch monitoring season begins on May 1st. Citizen Scientists across the state wade into shallow streams to collect physical and biological data on the state's streams. The upcoming monitoring season is May 1st – June 30th, statewide. If you have any questions about the RiverWatch monitoring season, please contact Shelly Fuller, RiverWatch Program Coordinator, at 888/428-0362.

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Applications are due May 19th for the 2003 Governor's Pollution Prevention Awards, presented by the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center, a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The awards honor Illinois companies and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to environmental excellence through pollution prevention. The awards will be presented in Springfield on Oct. 14. For more information, or to request an application, call Jini Cook at the WMRC at 217/244-6553 or visit the center's web site at http://www.wmrc.uiuc.edu.

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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.

17 Ill. Adm. Code 2070, Capacity Plates Standards-Watercraft, deadline 5/5/03; 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1070, Possession of Specimens-End/Threat Spec., deadline 5/12/03; 17 Ill. Adm. Code 130 Camping on DNR Properties, deadline: 5/19/03; 17 Ill. Adm. Code 690 Squirrel Hunting, 5/26/03; 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1515 Cons. Reserve Enhancement Program, deadline 6/9/03.

Comments regarding these rules can be sent by the listed deadline to the Legal Office of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702-1272.

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The next meeting of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2003, in the Godschalk Room of the Thornhill Building, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, Illinois. 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.

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Celebrate spring in Illinois. The May issue of OutdoorIllinois tempts the tasted buds with mouth watering recipes for that seasonal woodland treasure the morel mushroom. Learn about one of the state's largest parks, Jim Edgar Panther Creek, mountain biking, how birds are named and why creel clerks are interviewing anglers. OutdoorIllinois is a great tool for learning about Illinois' natural, cultural and recreational resources and a bargain at $10 for a one-year magazine subscription. Call 1-800-720-3249 to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.

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Dredging of the harbor at Pere Marquette State Park is ongoing. On days when dredging occurs, the boat ramps will need to be closed. Staff tentatively plan to dredge Monday-Thursday, leaving the ramps open on weekends and holidays, including the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. As the dredge moves further into the harbor, the lower end will be able to be used by river traffic. Work at the facility is expected to take several weeks. For more information contact the park office at 618/786-3323.

Anglers reminded to check new regulations before 2003 fishing opener (2003-04-23)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers to take a moment to review the 2003 Fishing Regulations before the inland fishing season opens on May 10.

Regulations booklets include special and experimental regulations, regulations changes, and new information about exotic species, catch and release, and fish identification.

"We made a number of changes this year and anglers need to make sure they are aware of the regulations before they fish," said Linda Erickson-Eastwood, program manager for the DNR Division of Fisheries. "Besides that, the regulation book contains excellent information to help anglers protect their resource and enjoy their time on the water."

Special or experimental regulations new this year include Annie Battle Lake (Otter Tail County), Bass Lake (Todd County), Cedar Lake (Morrison County), Mink Lake (Wright County), Pimushe Lake (Beltrami County), Big and Little Pine (Otter Tail County), Somers Lake (Wright County), Steiger Lake (Carver County) and Zumbro River (Wabasha County). In addition, new northern pike regulations are in effect on 66 lakes and one stream.

Special and experimental regulations are summarized on pages 27-42 in the regulations booklet. New regulations are signified with a pointing finger. Unless specifically mentioned, all other general regulations, seasons, limits, border water regulations, possession and transportation regulations apply to waters with special and experimental regulations.

Statewide regulations will now apply for Bavaria Lake (Carver County), where special regulations governed largemouth bass and Platte Lake (Crow Wing/Morrison counties) where special regulations governed northern pike. Statewide regulations are found beginning on page 17 of the fishing regulations booklet.

New statewide bag limits on crappie, sunfish, lake trout and catfish officially begin May 10. The lake trout bag limit change does not apply to Lake Superior and its tributaries up to the posted boundary. However, the crappie and lake trout bag limit changes do apply to the Canadian border waters. The changes are in response to extensive biological analysis and public input on the state's game fish limits. Most Minnesota game fish limits have remained unchanged for the last 40 to 70 years, yet fishing pressure and technology have increased dramatically during that time.

Anglers should also note the special regulations affecting treaty lakes and Mille Lacs Lake, which are not listed in the 2003 regulations booklet. These regulations will be announced in the media, posted on the DNR Web site, and posted at public access sites on the affected lakes. A list of counties where waters might be posted with treaty regulations can be found beginning on page 25 of the fishing regulations booklet. A brochure listing treaty lake regulations will be available soon from the DNR Information Center in St. Paul by calling (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367). The information will also be available from local fisheries offices in the treaty area. New treaty regulations go into effect on the fishing opener May 10.

The summer catch-and-release trout regulation for the 3.3-mile posted section of the Middle Branch of the Whitewater (Winona/Olmsted counties one-quarter mile upstream of County Road 107 bridge to the source) is still in effect. It was accidentally left out of the 2003 synopsis.

Additional changes and new regulations are listed on page 5 of the 2003 Fishing regulations booklet, available wherever fishing licenses are sold.

Fishing licenses valid for 2003 are on sale now at any of the 1,850 Electronic License System agents located throughout the state. Licenses are also available at the DNR Web site www.dnr.state.mn.us or by calling 1-888-665-4236.

Minnesota Department of Health releases annual fish consumption advisory (2003-04-23)

For Minnesotans who like to eat the fish they catch from the state's lakes and rivers, mercury remains the contaminant that poses the greatest health risk, according to the Minnesota Department of Health's annual fish consumption advisory and two new national studies. Released each spring, the advisory provides guidelines on how much fish people can safely consume while minimizing their risks from contaminants like mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

"This is a valuable tool for Minnesota consumers," said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dianne Mandernach. "Fish can be an important part of a healthy diet. By taking a few simple precautions and placing a few limits on your fish consumption, you can still go fishing and safely consume your catch."

In Minnesota, more than 90 percent of the advisories to limit consumption are based on levels of mercury, according to MDH Environmental Scientist Patricia McCann. "All fish tested in Minnesota have mercury," McCann said. "In fact, all fish, whether store bought or sport caught, have some mercury. The amount depends on what the fish feed on, how old the fish are and to some degree the water they live in."

The advisory addresses consumption of both commercially-sold fish and fish taken by anglers from local waters.

According to results from an ongoing study by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota fish are low in most contaminants tested, except for mercury. The EPA's four-year National Fish Tissue Study measures contaminants in fish from lakes across the United States. Results from the first two years of the study were recently released to participating state and tribal agencies.

Mercury and PCBs levels measured in the fish that were studied are typical of what is measured in fish collected and tested for the state's Fish Contaminants Monitoring Program, a cooperative effort of MDH, Department of Natural Resources and the Pollution Control Agency. Data from the program are used to produce the annual fish consumption advisory.

Other chemicals included in the EPA study are organophosphate pesticides, dioxins, furans, PCBs, mercury, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other semi-volatile organic compounds. The levels of these chemicals are generally low in Minnesota fish and low in comparison to other areas of the country. More on the EPA study can be found at http://epa.gov/waterscience/fishstudy/.

The chief concern with mercury in fish is its potential ability to adversely affect the central nervous system, particularly in developing fetuses and children under age 15. Methylmercury is the form of mercury in fish. A developing nervous system is more sensitive to the effects from exposure to methylmercury. People are exposed to methylmercury mainly through eating fish.

The MDH fish consumption advisory provides special precautions for women of child bearing age who are pregnant or are planning to be pregnant, and for children under age 15.

"While most mercury exposure is below a level of concern, some groups of people may be exposed to more mercury than is considered safe," McCann said.

Recently published results from the Centers for Disease Control National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey included measurements of mercury levels in the U.S. population. Approximately 8 percent of women age 16 to 49 had mercury levels higher than recommended as safe by the EPA.

"This estimate is based on sampling the general population and does not characterize subgroups of people who may eat a lot of fish - so there may be people in Minnesota who are eating more fish than the people in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey sample," McCann said.

Despite concerns over mercury and other contaminants, people should not be discouraged from going fishing or eating their catch, health officials say. Fish is a low-fat, high-quality protein food source and may reduce risk of some chronic illnesses. For most people, one to two meals of fish per week are generally considered optimal for balancing the health benefits and the health risk from contaminants in fish.

"Choosing which fish to eat for those meals is important to minimize exposure to mercury and other chemicals in fish. Following the guidelines in the MDH fish advisory can keep your exposure to a safe level," McCann said.

The fish advisory is now available in an eight-page brochure, "Eat Fish Often?" That brochure is available by calling MDH at (651) 215-0950 or toll free 1-800-657-3908.

MDH also has a separate publication that provides additional information for pregnant women. "An Expectant Mother's Guide to Eating Minnesota Fish" is available in both English and Spanish. Both "Eat Fish Often?" and the "Expectant Mother's Guide" are also available online at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/fish/orders/materials.html.

More detailed, site-specific recommendations are available online at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/fish/index.html. Detailed recommendations are also available in the Lake Survey Reports produced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Lake Survey Reports are also available online at www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html.

For more information on recent news regarding mercury, visit the MDH environmental health Web site at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/fish/links.html.

Anglers urged to help prevent spread of bass virus

State resource officials today announced that Largemouth Bass Virus (LMBV) continues spread in southern Michigan lakes, and called upon anglers to help contain the disease and protect fish populations.

Largemouth Bass Virus is one of more than 100 naturally occurring viruses that affect fish, and is closely related to viruses found in frogs and other amphibians. Its origin and how it is spread are unknown. The virus is not known to infect humans, and infected fish are considered safe to eat. However, it is recommended that all fish be thoroughly cooked as general food safety rule.

The disease was first discovered in Michigan in the fall of 2000, by biologists from the Michigan and Indiana Departments of Natural Resources jointly investigating a die-off of largemouth bass in Lake George, on the Michigan-Indiana border near I-69. It was the furthest north that the virus had ever been detected in the United States.

The Department of Natural Resources began actively surveying lakes in Southern Michigan for LMBV in 2002. Based on these and earlier data, the virus has been confirmed in the following 9 of 19 lakes examined:

• Lake George, Branch County - found in 90% of 2000 samples but not detected in 2002 samples.
• Long Lake, Hillsdale County (near Camden) – found in 2001 samples
• Klinger Lake, St. Joseph County – found in 2001 samples
• Long Lake, St. Joseph County – found in 2001 samples
• Austin Lake, Kalamazoo County – found in 2002 samples
• Woodland Lake, Livingston County – found in 100% of 2002 samples
• Saddle Lake, Van Buren County – found in 2002 samples
• Lake Orion, Oakland County – found in 6.3% of 2002 samples
• Devils Lake, Lenawee County – found in 14.3% of 2002 samples

Michigan DNR Fish Production Manager Gary Whelan said LMBV appears to infect other fish species, including smallmouth bass, bluegill, and crappies, but has caused mortality to only largemouth bass. The disease typically kills large adult fish and usually causes mortality when fish are most stressed. Potential stressors include very hot weather, heavy angling pressure, and possibly aquatic weed or other treatments during very hot periods. Any measures that minimize stress on these fish will reduce the impact of the disease and mortality.

“The DNR cannot eradicate this virus or treat infected wild fish populations,” Whelan said. “However, as we continue investigating this disease, we appreciate receiving reports of unusual fish mortalities.”

Many largemouth bass mortalities reported in 2002 occurred from mid-July to mid-August, and some of these were likely LMBV related. However, many of the reports came in weeks after the mortalities, which is too long for confirmation of the disease.

Infected fish show few outward signs, although they may be lethargic, swim slowly, and are less responsive to activity around them. The virus has been found in many lakes with no reports of disease or fish mortalities.

Dying fish often are seen near the surface and have difficulty remaining upright. Upon internal examination, such fish usually will have bloated swim bladders, which accounts for the cause of swimming problems. Red sores or other lesions occasionally may be seen on the skin of the fish, but these are secondary in nature and not part of the virus infection.

Consistent with the recommendations reported from the Largemouth Bass Virus Workshops, sponsored by ESPN and BASS Federation, the DNR is calling on anglers who target largemouth bass to voluntarily help reduce angling stress on largemouth bass populations during warm weather. DNR Fisheries Division Chief Kelley Smith noted the DNR will again be monitoring lakes in central and southern Michigan this summer, in partnership with the Michigan BASS Federation.

"This is a new disease to northern lakes, and there is much for us to learn about how it works," Smith said. "For example, we still do not know how largemouth bass populations will be affected in Michigan’s lakes on the long term. We urge all members of the angling community to continue to help us monitor our waters. When you see unusually high mortalities of adult largemouth bass, please contact one of our offices immediately so we can investigate the die-off. Further, we look forward to working with our partners at the Michigan BASS Federation, and appreciate their willingness to help us collect information necessary to better understand and manage this virus.”

The DNR reminds anglers and boaters to take the following steps to help prevent the spread of LMBV:

• Clean boats, trailers, other equipment thoroughly between fishing trips to keep from transporting LMBV, as well as other undesirable pathogens and organisms, from one water body to another with special care to clean fishing equipment when you are done fishing known locations of the virus.
• Do not move fish or fish parts from one body of water to another, and do not release live bait into any water body. • Handle bass as gently as possible if you intend to release them and release them as quickly as possible.
• Refrain from hauling the fish for long periods in live wells if you intend to release them.
• Minimize targeting of largemouth bass during the period from mid-July to mid-August, especially during exceptionally hot weather conditions.
• Report dead or dying adult largemouth bass fish to Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division offices.
• Volunteer to help agencies collect bass for LMBV monitoring.
• Educate other anglers about LMBV.

The Michigan DNR will continue to communicate any new information learned about the disease in Michigan. Interested anglers can get more information here: http://espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/index.html.

Inland trout season opens with a few changes in stocking locations

Before sunrise this Saturday, the banks of many Indiana streams will be swarming with anglers anticipating the feel of feisty rainbow trout on the end of their lines.

Indiana's inland trout season commences at 5 a.m. Saturday, April 26.

DNR biologists stock more than 24,000 trout in 18 streams this week. The rainbows draw thousands of anglers armed with gear ranging from unsophisticated cane poles to expertly-balanced fly rods. For bait, the most popular choice is canned corn, but a few opt for intricately-tied flies.

Looking to provide maximum access to trout fishing sites, DNR biologists have altered some traditional stocking locations this spring.

"Some areas that were previously stocked didn't have adequate access or parking, so we've chosen areas we know are accessible to anglers," said Neil Ledet, DNR fisheries biologist.

Additional sites at County Road 52 and U.S. 6 along Solomon Creek in Elkhart County are being stocked this spring, extending the trout fishery by a mile.

Previous stocking points that are not stocked this year include:
- Little Elkhart River at County Road 10 and U.S. 20 in Elkhart County, and
County Road 1100 West in Lagrange County.
- Rowe-Eden Ditch at U.S. 20 in Elkhart County
- Solomon Creek at County Road 48 in Elkhart County

A complete listing of stream trout stocking locations is available at:
http://www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/trout/trout_streams.htm

The daily bag limit for trout is five fish with a minimum length of seven inches. Stocked trout average 10 inches in length. A fishing license and trout stamp are required to pursue inland trout.

Trout are also stocked in many Indiana lakes. More information about trout stocking and regulations is available at:
http://www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/trout/trout_regs.htm

Lake Michigan coho catch climbs with thermometer

Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologists stationed on Lake Michigan report that coho salmon fishing has picked up this week. South Bend-area biologists rate steelhead trout fishing in the St. Joseph River as average.

Lake Michigan

Fleets of trolling fishing boats, ranging in size from bass boats to two-deck deeplake charter boats, paraded up and down the Inland Steel break wall outside Buffington Harbor last weekend. Most boats reported good catches of coho salmon, and despite the rough water, many charter boats returned to the lake for afternoon forays. Anglers also were boating an occasional big brown trout, steelhead trout, or hefty chinook salmon.

Charter boat captain Mike Orr, known locally to other anglers as "Hardcore Orr," reports his best catches are in hard to reach places.

"Do you want to catch fish, or do you want to be comfortable," he asked passengers as he headed out of a relatively calm harbor into pitching waves and high winds last weekend. Orr and his passengers landed 12 coho and one 13-pound king salmon in about three hours of fishing.

Most boats at the Buffington Harbor docks report this year's coho are running bigger, with most coho caught between 18 to 22 inches long. Hammond, Ind. salmon fishing guru Tim Wiening guessed the coho had a few more weeks growth on them this year because of a slow lake warm-up.

DNR biologist Janel Palla reports good catches in all the usual places -- along the Inland wall in Buffington Harbor, at the Gary Light, and outside Michigan City Harbor. Palla says anglers planning on fishing near the Michigan City Lighthouse should know dredging could affect nearby fishing.

Most of Lake Michigan's spring fishing activity in Indiana occurs within a two-mile band of warming water along the shoreline, with coho salmon contributing close to 95 percent of the catch. Last year, Indiana anglers caught 107,000 coho salmon, and 80,000 of these were harvested during spring.

St Joseph River

DNR biologist Bob Bell says St. Joseph River spring steelhead fishing should be about average this weekend. And after this weekend, the fishing should slow as trout swim off spawning beds and make their way back toward the lake.

"The spring steelhead fishing was fantastic before a big cold front moved through two weekends ago," said Bell. "Now, people are still catching a few nice fish. Some of the charter guys are still doing well." Ball reports 2,400 steelhead swam up the South Bend Fish Ladder between March 1 and April 9.

Bell also reminds anglers that small hatchery trout are being stocked this week in several lake tributaries. To facilitate stocking, fishing is closed until June 15 on Trail Creek between the Franklin Street Bridge in Michigan City and U.S. 35, and on the East Branch of the Little Calumet River between U.S. 12 and U.S. 20.

NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

 * * *

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is now accepting registration applications for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend™ , June 6-8, 2003 at the beautiful Lorado Taft Campus in Oregon, Illinois. Try your hand at charting a course, shooting a bow, firing a shot, tying a fly, catching a fish, paddling a canoe, building a campfire or learning to cook with only the supplies you can carry in a backpack. Program instructors provide a supportive, safe, non-threatening and non-competitive learning environment. First time participants are given priority registration. To find out more information and to obtain a registration form go to the IDNR website: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/BOW/index.htm Click on the link "registration form" to download the application. You can call for information at 217/782-4080 or email:mallen@dnrmail.state.il.us.

* * *

Planning a Free Fishing Days event this year? Dozens of organizations are expected to conduct fishing derbies and other special events as part of Illinois Free Fishing Days, June 6-9. The four-day celebration promotes sport fishing by providing anglers with the opportunity to fish without purchasing an annual fishing license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp. Free Fishing Days is co-sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Plano Molding Co., the world’s largest manufacturer of fishing tackle boxes.

Organizations interested in receiving promotional and educational materials to be used as part of a Free Fishing Days event, or for more information, should contact Gary Watson, IDNR Public Events and Promotions, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/782-9990.

* * *

RiverWatch monitoring season begins on May 1st. Citizen Scientists across the state wade into shallow streams to collect physical and biological data on the state’s streams. The upcoming monitoring season is May 1st – June 30th, statewide. If you have any questions about the RiverWatch monitoring season, please contact Shelly Fuller, RiverWatch Program Coordinator, at 888/428-0362.

An article in Friday's Daily Southtown resulted in a few E-Mails. After doing a little research, I was able to come up with the following related information:

From the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, released 03/28/03:

2003 SPORTS FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY ANNOUNCED

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health today announced its 2003 consumption advisories for sport fish caught in Illinois waters. The annual list includes the following revisions and recommendations:

• the addition of three bodies of water – Lake in the Hills in McHenry County, Midlothian Reservoir in Cook County and Monee Reservoir in Will County – to the special mercury advisory. Consumption of largemouth bass taken from these bodies of water should be limited to one meal per month by sensitive populations and one meal per week for all others;
• the recommendation to eat only one meal per week of all sizes of carp caught in the DuPage River and Lake Fork Creek in the Kaskaskia River Basin due to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination; and
• a revision to the length of certain fish contained in the advisories for Lake Michigan. Due to falling levels of PCB contamination in rainbow trout, the dividing line between the advice for one meal per week and one meal per month has been raised from 17 inches to 22 inches. All sizes of lake whitefish are now in the one meal per month category.

The remainder of this year's consumption advisories are unchanged from last year's, including the statewide advisory for mercury. That advisory was added last year after research found that methylmercury is more toxic than previously thought. If eaten regularly, fish containing high levels of methylmercury could harm the central nervous system of a fetus, which may result in lower intelligence, abnormal muscle tone and slowed motor function.

While nearly all fish contain trace amounts of methylmercury, larger fish that feed on other fish accumulate higher amounts of methylmercury and pose the greatest risk. These predator fish include all species of black bass, (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted), striped bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, walleye, saugeye, flathead catfish, muskellunge and northern pike.

Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and it can be released into the air through industrial pollution. When it falls into surface water, bacteria in the water cause chemical changes that transform the mercury into methylmercury, which is then taken up by fish as they feed on aquatic organisms.

The statewide mercury advisory cautions pregnant or nursing women, women of childbearing age and children younger than 15 years of age to eat no more than one meal per week of predator fish. Women beyond childbearing age and males older than 15 years of age may continue to enjoy as many meals of predator fish as they please, with the exception of fish from seven bodies of water (including the three added this year) where high levels of methylmercury were found. More restrictive meal advice applies to fish taken from these waters.

For fish that may contain PCBs and chlordane, the advisory provides eating advice in five categories – unlimited consumption, no more than one meal per week, no more than one meal per month, no more than six meals per year and do not eat.

Anglers who vary the type and source of sport fish consumed – opting for the younger, smaller fish, and consuming leaner species such walleye and panfish over fatty species such as carp and catfish – and who prepare and cook fish in ways that reduce the amount of contaminants can limit their exposure to harmful substances that may be found in fish.

There are several ways to reduce any PCBs and chlordane present in edible portions of fish:

Before cooking, remove the skin from the filet and cut away any fatty tissue from the belly and dorsal areas.
Broil, bake or grill in a way that allows fat to drip away.
Discard fat drippings or broth from broiled or poached fish. Do not use in other dishes.
These precautions will not reduce the amount of mercury in fish. Mercury is found throughout a fish's muscle tissue (the edible part of the fish) rather than in the fat and skin. Therefore, the only way to reduce mercury intake is to reduce the amount of contaminated fish eaten.

While there is no known immediate health threat from eating contaminated fish from any body of water in Illinois, there are concerns about the effects of long-term, low-level exposure to the pesticides and chemicals found in fish listed in the advisories. Methylmercury, the other contaminant of concern in Illinois fish, can cause reproductive damage and have adverse effects on the central nervous system, including developmental delays.

The advisories for PCBs and chlordane are also based primarily on protecting women of childbearing age, pregnant women, fetuses, nursing mothers and children younger than 15 years of age. They may be overprotective for women beyond childbearing age and adult men.

The Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program screens fish samples from about 40 bodies of water per year for contamination from 13 banned pesticides and industrial chemicals. The program is a joint effort of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Nuclear Safety and Public Health.

The fish are collected by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and tested by IEPA. The Department of Public Health bases its consumption advisories on the IEPA test results. This year's advisories are included in the Illinois 2003 Fishing Information Guide, which is available from IDNR, from businesses that sell state fishing licenses, and on IDPH's Web site, www.idph.state.il.us.

2003 Illinois Fish Advisory from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health
http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/fishadv/fishadvisory03.htm

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Related Links:
Mercury, What Every Citizen Should Know
http://www.epa.state.il.us/mercury

Inland Lake Monitoring Programs
http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/surface-water/inland-lakes-mon.html

INDR Related Link:
http://www.dnr.state.il.us/fish/2002/40.pdf
(Needs Adobe Acrobat Reader)
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

Daily Southtown Article - (link should be good for at least a week, maybe more)
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/yrtwn/south/043syt5.htm

FPDCC 2003 TROUT SEASON OPENING DELAYED

April 4, 2003

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County's 2003 Trout Season Opening, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2003, has been delayed until dawn on Tuesday, April 8, 2003. Due to inclement weather in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area, the District's trout delivery and stocking has been delayed.

We apologize for any inconvenience imposed by this delay.

From the IDNR:

Axehead, Belleau, and Sag Quarry East Lakes Trout Opening DelayedDue to weather problems experienced by the supplier of trout for spring fishing, Axehead, Belleau, and Sag Quarry East Lakes will not be stocked in time for opening this weekend. The lakes will remain closed through the weekend, and open for fishing on Tuesday, April 8. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is notifying press contacts as fast as possible. Any further question should be directed to their Department of Resource Management or Fisheries field office at 709/403-6951.

ACQUISITION OF 29 ACRES IN TAMPIER GREENWAY

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board President John Stroger today announced the acquisition of two parcels totaling more than 29 acres in the Tampier Greenway, located in Orland Park.

"The addition of these 29 acres allows the District to further protect and preserve the Tampier Greenway - an area long considered a District priority in southern Cook County," said Stroger. "We are pleased to continue to develop and procure land in this area and look forward to increasing our open space holdings in that area wherever possible."

This latest acquisition brings the District's total holdings in the Tampier Greenway to 90 acres. The District currently owns more than 68,000 acres in Cook County, over 10% of the total land mass.

FPD TO STOCK THREE LAKES WITH TROUT

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board President John Stroger has announced that the Forest Preserve District of Cook County will be stocking Axehead Lake (Park Ridge), Belleau Lake (Des Plaines) and Sag Quarry East (Lemont) with rainbow trout beginning Monday, March 31st until dawn on Saturday, April 5th. The lakes will be closed to all fishing between these dates.

"We are proud to offer Cook County anglers the opportunity to test their lures and instincts in catching the often-elusive trout," said Stroger. "The District prides itself on offering area fisherman the chance to take advantage of what has come to be an annual Spring-time ritual."

Approximately 2,000 pounds of trout will be stocked between the three sites. The breakdown will be as follows:

· Axehead - 750 pounds;
· Belleau Lake - 750 pounds; and
· Sag Quarry East - 500 pounds.

There is a daily five trout creel limit with no size restrictions. No more than two lines per person with no more than two hooks per line may be used. A valid Illinois fishing license with an Illinois Inland Trout Stamp is required by anglers 16 years of age or older. An Illinois fishing license is not required for disabled persons with a State of Illinois disabled identification card showing a Class 2 or 2A disability, a Veterans Disability Card or active military personnel.

For further information, contact the Forest Preserve District of Cook County's Conservation Department at 708-771-1335.

FPD CERTIFICATION OF 29 NEW MASTER STEWARDS

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board President John Stroger has announced that the Forest Preserve District of Cook County has certified 28 Master Stewards through the Conservation Department’s Master Stewards Program, begun in November 2002. Certification as a Master Steward authorizes trained District volunteers to supervise volunteer work activity.

“Volunteers have long been a key element in achieving the District’s ecosystem management efforts and this program is yet another way for us to recognize their value,” said Stroger. “I applaud the Master Stewards for the energy, spirit and commitment they bring to the District and look forward to the wonderful work they will do for years to come.”

The Master Stewards program trains and accredits volunteer supervisors through a series of seminars and tests. To be accredited as a Master Steward, volunteers must have passed tests on ecology and District policies and participated in sessions on safety and risk management. Once accredited, Master Stewards are able to supervise volunteer habitat management activities anywhere within the District’s system of management sites.

The 28 Master Stewards trained thus far places the District well beyond its halfway point of reaching its goal of 50 Master Stewards. Master Stewards work closely 10-12 volunteer workdays each weekend during the summer months.

For more information on the District’s Master Stewards program or any other volunteer effort, please contact the Conservation Department at 708-771-1334 or visit us online at www.fpdcc.com.

Young Anglers Learn Where to Put their Fish and Their Trash

Two national brands sponsor programs to teach conservation to young anglers.

There have been no specific or credible threats to any site in Illinois, according to law enforcement and federal intelligence agencies. All other lakes at nuclear power plant sites remain open on their normal schedules at this time.

Angler help needed for trout & salmon study

As of 10:00 p.m. on March 17^th, the Illinois DNR has yet to announce any closings or restrictions to any of the state’s cooling lakes, nor has the United State’s Coast Guard announced any restrictions around the various Ports of the Great Lakes. The following link is the Public Information page of the Coast Guard’s Ninth District: http://www.piersystem.com/external/index.cfm?CID=443

The following press release is from the United States Department of Homeland Security, and was issued at 9:00 p.m. on March 17^th, 2003:

While the March 1 arrest of senior Al Qaida operative, Khalid Shaykh Muhammad (KSM) has put the Al-Qaida senior leadership on the defensive - and will be debilitating in the long term -- the Intelligence Community believes that KSM’s capture will not necessarily affect operations that are ready or nearly ready for execution.  There are many recent indications that Al-Qaida's planning includes the use of chemical, biological, and/or radiological materials.

Intelligence reporting also indicates that while Al-Qaida and those sympathetic to their cause are a principal threat, Iraqi state agents, Iraqi surrogate groups, other regional extremist organizations, and ad hoc groups or disgruntled individuals not connected to existing organizations or state agencies, may use this time period to conduct terrorist attacks against the U.S., or our interests abroad.

In recent months, there have been reports of suspicious activity in and around military facilities, ports, waterways, general infrastructure (bridges, dams, power generating facilities), and targets that are considered symbolic to U.S. power and influence.  The discovery of ricin production in London raises the concern of the Intelligence Community that extremists are planning to follow through on longstanding threats of poison plots against U.S, British and Israeli interests - and possibly other targets in Europe.  

The Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with numerous departments of the federal government has begun implementing increased protective measures under a comprehensive national plan to protect the Homeland: "Operation Liberty Shield."  

Operation Liberty Shield will increase security at our borders, strengthen transportation sector protections, enhance security at our critical infrastructure, increase public health preparedness and make sure all federal response assets can be deployed quickly.

Tonight, I have spoken to the nation's Governors and asked them to deploy the National Guard or additional police forces to improve security at critical locations throughout their states.  Other state, local and private sector leaders are also being contacted to engage their support to increase the nation's security.

These heightened security measures will help deter terrorism and increase protection of America and Americans.  In the meantime, as on the other occasions when the national threat level has been increased, we encourage members of the public to continue their daily work, family and leisure activities with a heightened awareness.

ABC 7
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/031703_ns_icerescue.html

NBC 5
http://www.nbc5.com/news/2044790/detail.html

CLTV
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-030317lake,0,3689326.story?coll=chi%2Dnews%2Dhed

Braidwood Lake has been open for public use since March 1, 2003 and is open seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. until sunset.

Both LaSalle and Braidwood could be closed without notice if heightened security reasons make it necessary. If you are traveling from a far distance, you might want to call ahead to these facilities to ensure they are open.

Mazonia - Braidwood State Fish & Wildlife Area - 815/237-0063

LaSalle Lake (Illini State Park) - 815/795-2448

Heidecke Lake (Goose Lake Prairie Natural Area) - 815/942-2899

03/07/03

From the Indiana DNR

Outdoor Skills Workshop Designed for Women

From the Indiana DNR

Cold weather fuels ice fishing fever

This Saturday started out like any other. Duke welcomed the audience and introduced the days

Extreme angler info 2003 - DNR posts new fish survey info online

Fishing addicts craving in-depth fishing information can get an on-line fix by reading the newest DNR fish research reports.

DNR fisheries scientists have surveyed nine more popular lakes and rivers, crunched the numbers, evaluated fishing regulations, and posted results, charts and conclusions to help calculating anglers plan outings.

Some of the stuff you'll learn while perusing the new reports include:

- Southern Indiana's Blue River smallmouth and rock bass populations are at record high levels. Last fall, biologists calculated the Blue River held an average of 299 smallmouth and 589 rock bass per mile. The last record high smallmouth estimate was 96 bass per mile in 1998. Check the charts and see which section of the river held the most smallies and goggle eyes.

- Mighty Monroe Lake continues to grow a lot of fish. Walleye growth rates have increased. Largemouth bass growth is above average. Wiper fishing continues to increase in popularity. Big catfish were also found in the survey, but the crappie continue to be over abundant and stunted. Keep an eye on increasing lake vegetation, and pull out Monroe Lake fishing notes from the early nineties, when underwater greenery was last abundant.

- The verdict is in on Brookville Lake's 14-inch-minimum-size walleye limit imposed in 1996. Biologists found about the same number of large walleye in the lake before and after the stricter keeper limit. Instead, walleye fry survival seems to be the limiting factor.

- Walleye fishing should continue to get better at Eagle Creek Reservoir near Indianapolis. The DNR has stocked the lake with walleye every year since 1997, and biologists have rated every stocking a success. Nearly all of the fish over one-year old are already 14 inches long or longer.

- Walleye stocking success continues to be poor at Summit Lake near New Castle, despite an over supply of their favorite forage -- yellow perch.

- Between April and October 2001, 44,500 bluegill weighing 18,300 pounds were harvested from Dogwood Lake near Montgomery. When fried, these summer fish would require about 6,000 boxes of cracker crumb breading. Dogwood Lake anglers also caught and released a phenomenal number of bass. Fishing pressure has increased 22 percent since 1996. And a whopping 89 percent of fishing parties rated their fishing trip as "excellent."

- Other reports show more than half the fish harvested from Cagles Mill Lake were crappie, and the lake's white bass population is exploding in size. The experimental no-harvest bass regulations at Dove Hollow Lake in Glendale Fish and Wildlife Area has resulted in improved panfishing and a large bass population, but bass growth rates are extremely low. And a survey of White Lick Creek flowing through Boone, Hendricks and Morgan Counties shows an abundant and healthy fish community, but watershed quality is potentially threatened by increasing residential construction in the three counties.

A full stringer of new lake surveys can be found at:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/publications/notes/notes.htm

Past survey reports are also available for:
Bixler Lake, Bluegrass FWA, Deam Lake, Diamond Lake, Eagle Lake, Fall Creek, Hovey Lake, Huntingburg Lake, Lake James, Lynville Park Lake, Martindale Pond, Middlefork Reservoir, Oak Lake, Pike Lake, Reservoir 26, Saddle Lake,
Skinner Lake, Spy Run, West Fork of White River.

ILLINOIS NATURE PRESERVES COMMISSION ANNOUNCES NEW NATURE PRESERVE, LAND AND WATER RESERVE APPROVAL

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission today announced the dedication of two new nature preserves and two nature preserve additions, along with the registration of six new land and water reserves.

"Through these nature preserve dedications and land and water reserve registrations, the Commission has conferred enhanced protection for critical habitat and a variety of rare, threatened or endangered species of plants and animals on more than 370 acres of important natural lands," said Illinois Nature Preserves Commission Director Carolyn Grosboll.

Areas dedicated as nature preserves may be used for viewing wildlife, nature photography, hiking and approved scientific research. Areas registered as land and water reserves may be used for the same activities, along with fishing, hunting and other approved activities that do not have negative impacts on the natural features of the protected area.

The nine-member Commission determines whether an area is significant enough to warrant protection as a nature preserve or as a land and water reserve. After approval by the landowner and the Commission, nature preserves must be approved by the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Governor. Land and water reserves require the approval of the landowner, the Commission and the IDNR Director.

Illinois now has 313 nature preserves in 79 counties totaling 42,583 acres, and 79 land and water reserves in 45 counties totaling 23,860 acres.

Landowners interested in preservation of high-quality natural lands should contact the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/785-8686, Ameritech Relay 800/526-0844, TDD 217/782-9175.

The new nature preserve dedications are:

Lake Co. - R. & J. Halkovich Addition of Nature Preserve Buffer to MacArthur Woods Nature Preserve
Robert and Janice Halkovich are dedicating 3.5 acres of land near the MacArthur Woods Nature Preserve in Libertyville as nature preserve buffer. MacArthur Woods is a 504-acre forest preserve owned and managed by the Lake County Forest Preserve District. It is recognized for its high-quality forest habitat and is home to two state-listed bird species, the brown creeper and red-shouldered hawk. In addition, state-listed plant species at MacArthur Woods include the dog violet, purple-fringed orchid, dwarf raspberry, marsh speedwell, and tubercled orchid. The addition will buffer the nature preserve from incompatible land use and development along its eastern boundary, protect a surface water link with the nature preserve and may also serve as an impetus for other landowners to protect the current open-space character of land that extends along St. Mary's Road. (Contact: Steve Byers, 815/385-9074)

Lake Co. – Addition of Nature Preserve Buffer to Middlefork Savanna Nature Preserve
Lake Forest Open Lands Association is dedicating 82.8 acres as nature preserve buffer to Middlefork Savanna Nature Preserve near Lake Forest. Middlefork Savanna has frequently been described as the best surviving black soil savanna in Illinois, among the most rare types of natural habitat in the state. The site also includes prairie, sedge meadow, and marsh habitat. Threatened or endangered species found at the site include a federally-listed plant species (Eastern prairie-fringed orchid) and three state-listed plant species (golden sedge, marsh speedwell, and pale vetchling). The 499-acre Middlefork Savanna Nature Preserve is owned by the Lake County Forest Preserve District. (Contact: Steven Byers, 815/385-9074)

Marshall Co. – Oak Bluff Savanna Nature Preserve
Oak Bluff Savanna, owned by Maury Brucker and Emiko Yang, is a five-acre site included within the 15.2-acre Oak Bluff Prairie Natural Area, located near Henry. The nature preserve features prairie, savanna and forest habitat. White oaks are the largest and most obvious trees within the high-quality savanna, which supports small thickets of hazelnut and oak grubs. Flowers include yellow stargrass, Culver's root and the state-threatened Hill's thistle. (Contact: Tom Lerczak, 309/543-2744)

McHenry Co. – Amberin Ash Ridge Nature Preserve
Deborah Staley is dedicating a 9.8-acre tract of upland forest and seep near Bull Valley as the Amberin Ash Ridge Nature Preserve. The tract had been dedicated previously as a nature preserve buffer for the Boone Creek Fen Nature Preserve. Preservation of the seep and woods at the site help protect important recharge and discharge zones to maintain water quality in the area. (Contact: Steven Byers, 815/385-9074)

The new land and water reserve registrations are:

Douglas Co. – Upper Embarras Woods Land and Water Reserve
The Upper Embarras Woods Land and Water Reserve, owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), is a 100-acre forest located within Walnut Point State Park near Oakland. It includes mature old second growth forest that is part of a remnant of presettlement forest adjacent to the west boundary of the Upper Embarras Woods Nature Preserve. The new land and water reserve and the nature preserve are part of the largest remaining forest tract along the Embarras River, from the headwaters south of Champaign-Urbana to Charleston, a distance of more than 80 river miles. The forest supports bird species that are sensitive to fragmentation and require large blocks of forest to breed. The adjacent Embarras River provides habitat for at least five species of state-threatened or endangered mussels. The land and water reserve will serve as a buffer for the river. (Contact: Eric Smith, 217/278-5773)

Effingham Co. – Rock Cave Land and Water Reserve
The Rock Cave Land and Water Reserve is a 57-acre site owned by the IDNR near Altamont which features upland forest and sandstone cliff habitat. The site's name is for a shelter cave that has been eroded from soft sandstone bedrock. It is a part of the larger Rock Cave Natural Area that consists of 448 acres of upland and ravine forest, sandstone outcrops, rock formations, and streams. It is home to two state-threatened plants: the fibrous-rooted sedge and blazing star. There are a number of unusual species among the approximately 350 plant species in the area, including Harvey's buttercup, interrupted fern, pinesap, bird foot violet, and poke milkweed. The area also has a rich display of spring wildflowers and a population of American beech. (Contact: Terry Esker, 618/783-2685)

Hancock Co. – Cecil White Prairie Land and Water Reserve
The Cecil White Prairie Land and Water Reserve near Carthage, owned by the IDNR, includes 33 acres of upland forest with scattered ridges of loess hill prairie and savanna. The site is recognized for having one acre of high-quality loess hill prairie and contains significant Native American archeological resources. (Contact: Angella Moorehouse, 309/776-4066)

Knox Co. – Haw Creek Sedge Meadow Land and Water Reserve
The 10-acre Haw Creek Sedge Meadow Land and Water Reserve includes approximately two acres of wetlands surrounded by an eight-acre woodland buffer. The wetlands are fed by seeps which discharge water from various sources at the base of a north facing slope. The reserve, located southeast of Galesburg, is part of a 240-acre farm owned by Ellen Gibbons of Peoria Heights, which has been owned by her family since 1860. The site is the first in Knox County protected under Illinois Nature Preserves Commission programs. (Contact: Angella Moorehouse, 309/776-4066)

St. Clair Co. – Columbia Quarry-Dupo Prairie Land and Water Reserve
The Columbia Quarry-Dupo Prairie Land and Water Reserve, owned by Columbia Quarry Company, is located near Dupo on limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. It is a 6.2-acre site containing loess hill prairie, upland forest, and limestone cliff habitat. (Contact: Debbie Newman, 618/684-3840)

St. Clair Co. – Columbia Quarry-Sugar Loaf Prairie Land and Water Reserve
The Columbia Quarry-Sugar Loaf Prairie Land and Water Reserve, owned by Columbia Quarry Company, is located near the Dupo Prairie Land and Water Reserve also registered by the Commission recently. It is a 62.5-acre site containing loess hill prairie, upland forest, and limestone cliff habitat. (Contact: Debbie Newman, 618/684-3840)

REMEMBER WILDLIFE PRESERVATION FUND WHEN PREPARING ILLINOIS INCOME TAX RETURN

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The beginning of the new year is a good time for supporters of wildlife in Illinois to consider a donation to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Preservation Fund when preparing their 2002 Illinois state income tax returns, Director Brent Manning said today.

"The income tax check off and other donations made to the Wildlife Preservation Fund each year help protect wildlife, restore wildlife habitat and maintain the natural beauty of Illinois," said Manning. "Take a few minutes this winter or spring as you prepare your state tax return to consider a contribution in support of wildlife preservation."

For the 20th consecutive year, the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund appears on Illinois income tax return forms as a contribution check-off option. Last year, more than $244,000 was donated to the fund as it remains one of the most successful of the state income tax checkoffs. In all, more than $3.9 million has been donated to the fund during the past 19 years.

During the next year, the Wildlife Preservation Fund will assist in supporting 55 wildlife habitat, species restoration, education and research projects throughout the state, focusing on rare, threatened or endangered insects, birds, fish and other wildlife.

Donations to the Wildlife Preservation Fund are tax deductible and may be made on line 28a of the IL-1040 form, or line 12 on the Telefile worksheet. Donations to the fund may also be addressed to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Preservation Fund, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271.

01/05/03

Fishing Club Seeks Speakers for 2003

The Riverside Riverside Fishing Club is seeking guest speakers for many of their 2003 monthly meetings.  The club meetings are held every 2nd Thursday of each month at the American Legion Hall located at 900 S. LaGrange Road, LaGrange IL.  Anyone interested in being a guest speaker can respond to the following press release:

SEEKING SPEAKERS

To broaden our knowledge base, the RFC is seeking speakers for the monthly meetings. The club is a multi-specie club, therefore, the topics are open raging from knowledge of tackle, equipment, bodies of water, specific fish, techniques, to environmental. We are very interested in all subjects of fishing.

Please contact Renee Irwin at Reneei@attbi.com or (630) 854-3055 with the month you would like to speak, a topic, and fee.

Click here to view our Fishing Clubs Page for more information about this, and other local clubs.

01/02/03

The Indiana DNR Responds to Questions About the Disqualification of the Recent Record Breaking Walleye

Earlier today, ChicagoFishingLinks.com received the following press release from the Indiana DNR about the circumstances that caused them to disqualify Scott Hoswell's record breaking walleye that he caught on December 11th:

A giant walleye caught recently from Lake Michigan will not be accepted by
the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as a new Indiana state record.

The 14.47-pound walleye was caught Dec. 11 by Scott Hoswell of Frankfort,
Ill. while fishing from a boat in the Port of Indiana.   The 32.25-inch long
fish was about a quarter pound heavier than the standing record walleyes
taken in 1974 from the Kankakee River and 1977 from the Tippecanoe River.

In the process of verifying the new record, DNR officials learned from
Hoswell that the fish was taken from a boat while fishing inside the Burns
International Harbor, commonly known as the Port of Indiana.  The harbor is
a commercial port facility operated by the Indiana Port Commission.  For
safety and security reasons, recreational boats are not permitted within the
harbor.  A DNR public fishing site is located within the harbor for
shoreline fishing, but there is no public boat launching ramp at the site
and fishing from boats is prohibited.

"Indiana's record fish entry rules require that a fish be legally taken to
be eligible," said Bill James, DNR Chief of Fisheries.   "We appreciate Mr.
Hoswell's honesty and his skill as an angler.  Unfortunately, we will not be
able to accept an entry that did not comply with all relevant laws and
regulations, including watercraft rules."

DNR conservation officers advised Hoswell of recent changes to the law that
restricts boats from venturing past the entrance of the breakwall at the
Port of Indiana.  No citation was issued.  Indiana Port Commission rules do
permit private craft, including fishing boats, to enter the Port "as a
harbor of refuge."  However, the rules specify that "No person shall launch
a boat or fish from a boat in the port area."

Despite the disqualifying technicality, James is enthused about the catch
and future walleye fishing prospects.  "It's a pretty safe bet that this
wasn't the only state record walleye in southern Lake Michigan," he said.
"Sooner or later I expect to see another one landed that will meet all the
requirements for a new record."

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