Commercial Fishing, Electronic License, & Volunteer Trail Awaiting Governor

Commercial Fishing, Electronic License, & Volunteer Trail Awaiting Governor

There's been movement on the Illinois Senate floor.  All these bills have passed both the house and senate and now wait Governor Rauner's signature. 

With the legislative deadline approaching what else will come up for a vote?  Stay informed by following us. 

• Wildlife-Hunting License-100th GA - HB 3093

• COMMERCIAL FISHING REGULATION-100th GA - HB 3272

• FISH-LAKE MICHIGAN COMMERC LIC-100th GA - HB 3273

• DNR-VOLUNTEERS-TRAIL PROGRAM-100th GA - HB 3455

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Sportsman’s Awareness Public Meeting Scheduled in Millstadt, IL

A MUST ATTEND EVENT FOR ILLINOIS HUNTERS AND ANGLERS

In order to pass our heritage on to the next generation, we need policies that reflect and protect our hunting and fishing lifestyle.  That's why the Sportsman's Awareness Public Meeting hosted by IFOR and Kaskaskia River Deltawaterfowl Chapter is a must attend event.  "The informational meeting is open to the public and will help sportsmen and women become more aware of legislation, regulatory changes, and issues that currently face hunters, anglers, and shooters in Southern Illinois."

Informational meetings like these help us as hunters and anglers stay informed and organized.

Sportsman’s Awareness Public Meeting Scheduled in Millstadt, IL

Sportsmen and women from throughout southern Illinois are invited to learn about issues currently facing hunters, anglers, and outdoors enthusiasts in Illinois

Millstadt, IL — The Illinois Federation of Outdoor Resources (IFOR) and Kaskaskia River Delta Waterfowl Chapter announce the upcoming Sportsman’s Awareness Public Meeting. The informational meeting is open to the public and will help sportsmen and women become more aware of legislation, regulatory changes, and issues that currently face hunters, anglers, and shooters in Southern Illinois. The meeting will be held at Millstadt

Sportsmen’s Club, 4915 Schmidt Lane, Millstadt, IL on June 15, 2017 at 7:00PM . Scott Bryant, President of IFOR will be presenting an informational program that will help sportsmen better understand the regulatory process and current issues surrounding outdoor activities.

“There are so many new regulations, proposed regulations, and issues that sportsmen in IL face today,” said
Bryant. “It’s increasingly difficult for the average sportsman to keep up with the rapidly changing regulatory
environment as well as the increasing number of threats to the hunting and angling heritages that southern Illinois sportsmen and women hold so dear. “

The goal of the meeting is to help sportsmen understand the most pressing issues both from regulatory agencies as well as other community groups and how to appropriately address them.

All southern Illinois sportsmen are encouraged to attend. Admission is free.

For more information, press only:
Scott Bryant
618-535- 0151
skycarp@aol.com

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

BOWFISHING 101 – LEARN ABOUT BOWFISHING!

Ever wanted to try bowfishing?  On June 10th from 9:00 am to 12:00 PM you can get the 411 when it comes to this fast growing sport.  

"Misguided Bowfishing in cooperation with The Bowfishing Association of America (BAA) is hosting an educational event, “Bowfishing 101 – Learn About Bowfishing!”  If you've ever wanted to try or are new to bowfishing then this is a must attended event.  Read below for the full description on this truly educational event.

BOWFISHING 101 – LEARN ABOUT BOWFISHING!

Misguided Bowfishing in cooperation with Bowfishing Association of America to present program to the public providing education and hands on opportunities to learn about bowfishing.

Baldwin, IL – Misguided Bowfishing in cooperation with The Bowfishing Association of America (BAA) will behosting an educational event, “Bowfishing 101 – Learn About Bowfishing!” program at Baldwin Lake, Kaskaskia River SFWA in Baldwin, Illinois, Saturday June 10 th from 9AM-12PM.

“Bowfishing is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports right now. Our goal with this program is to give the public an opportunity to learn about bowfishing combined with the opportunity to have a hands on experience using bowfishing equipment. Bowfishing is and excellent family friendly sport that can be enjoyed by all ages and provides a method to remove invasive and injurious fish from our waters in IL” said Dwayne Durr, program coordinator and IL BAA State Representative.

Reminders to Boaters from the IDNR - Wear PFD and Stay Sober

With summer just around the corner the IDNR is reminding boaters to stay sober on the water and wear them life jackets.  Regardless, if you take your buddies out on a bass boat or your family on a pantoon boat, you are a part of the club.  We may not have a special wave like the motorcyclist but we do wave and watch out for each other.  If you're going to be drinking let someone else drive.  It's not worth risking a OUI, or worse.  As for life jackets, I'll let this video do the talking.  Below you'll find a press release from the IDNR with some of the rules and regulations while boating in Illinois.  

Stay Sober, Wear Life Jackets While Boating in Illinois

National Safe Boating Week is May 20-26

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois Conservation Police officers are reminding boaters that safety on the water in Illinois starts with boat operators staying sober and all boaters wearing life jackets. Illinois’ busiest boating season is about to begin, and waterway safety reminders are part of the observance of National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26.

“It takes only a few seconds to fasten a life jacket, and wearing a life jacket can save your life,” said Illinois Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez. “In addition, just like driving a car or truck, staying sober while operating a boat is the law in Illinois.”

Statistics compiled by the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement show that there were 73 boating-related accidents in Illinois in 2016 resulting in 36 injuries and 11 fatalities. The number of boating-related accidents last year was below the five-year average, and compares with 74 accidents with 49 injuries and 14 fatalities in 2015. (Annual boating accident statistics are compiled based on the Federal Fiscal Year of October 1 through September 30).

In enforcing Illinois boating laws, Conservation Police officers (CPOs) in 2016 issued 1,721 citations and 5,258 warnings. CPOs made 147 arrests for boaters operating under the influence (OUI) in 2016.

IDNR statistics indicate that eight of the 11 people who died in boating accidents last year may have survived if they had worn a life jacket or other personal flotation device (PFD); three of the 11 boating-related fatalities involved alcohol or drug impairment.

Illinois law requires that properly-fitting PFDs – life jackets or life vests – be available for each person aboard a boat or other watercraft. State law also requires that 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. Illinois law also requires persons of any age to wear a PFD while operating a personal watercraft or Jet Ski.
The IDNR offers free boating safety courses providing a review of boating laws and regulations and instruction on safe and attentive operation of watercraft. The IDNR encourages boaters of all ages to take a safety course. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1998 must pass a course and have a valid Boating Safety Certificate to operate a motorboat (with over 10 horsepower); and, state law requires boating safety education for persons ages 12 to 17 to operate a motorboat.

The free safety courses taught by volunteer instructors are available throughout Illinois, and schedules are available by checking the IDNR website’s boating information page at

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety/Pages/BoatingSafety.aspx

For a fee, online boating safety courses are also available.

There were 248,948 registered boats in Illinois in 2016, and the IDNR issued 58,067 annual Water Usage Stamps, which are required for non-powered watercraft.

To review a copy of the latest edition of the Illinois DNR Boating Report, compiled by the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement, go to the IDNR website.

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety/Documents/BoatingAccidentReport2016.pdf

National Safe Boating Week is observed each year during the week prior to the Memorial Day holiday weekend. For more information on the national safe boating campaign, go to the website at www.safeboatingcampaign.com.

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety/Documents/BoatingAccidentReport2016.pdf

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

IDNR Releases Management Plan for Reintroduction of Alligator Gar in Illinois Waters

IDNR Releases Management Plan for Reintroduction of Alligator Gar in Illinois Waters

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Division of Fisheries has published its Fish Species Management Plan for Alligator Gar in Illinois, which details IDNR’s effort to reintroduce alligator gar to Illinois waters.

A fish native to Illinois, the alligator gar was determined to be extirpated, or extinct from Illinois waters. The last known catch of the fish, prior to the start of the reintroduction effort, was in the Cache River basin in southern Illinois in 1966.

“The plan details our efforts and activities as we attempt to reestablish and manage alligator gar populations in Illinois,” said IDNR Fisheries Chief Dan Stephenson. “They are a large, unique species that we would like to see thriving in Illinois waters again. There has been a lot of interest in our reintroduction efforts already, and we encourage anyone interested in sport fishing and this project to look at the plan.”

The alligator gar is the largest of the gar species and second largest freshwater fish in North America, next to the white sturgeon. The current all-tackle record alligator gar, caught in 1953 in Texas, weighed 302 pounds and measured 7-ft., 6-in. in length. Researchers determined that prior to extirpation, Illinois produced some individual gar measured at more than eight feet in length, with the heaviest weighing 176 pounds.

IDNR Fisheries personnel last fall stocked approximately 1,600 alligator gar as part of the reintroduction program at Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (Tazewell Co.), Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area (Cass Co.), Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison Co.), and Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area (St. Clair Co.). Tiny electronic tracking tags were attached to those fish for biologists to monitor their progress.

The success of the plan will be documented through annual progress and achievement reports for each management objective, and the plan will be updated as needed.

The Fish Species Management Plan for Alligator Gar in Illinois is posted online at the link below:
https://www.ifishillinois.org/programs/ALG_Plan_2017.pdf

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

DNR- Ashes in State Parks-100th GA - SB 1586

DNR- Ashes in State Parks-100th GA - SB 1586

Senator Bill Cunningham

Filed: SB 1586 on 2-9-17

Amends the State Parks Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may establish rules for the public to safely and appropriately scatter cremated remains in a State park. Defines "cremated remains."

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Crematory Regulation Act. Provides that "scattering area" also includes property used for outdoor recreation or natural resource conservation owned by the Department of Natural Resources and designated as a scattering area.

• Date Chamber Action
• 2/9/2017 Senate Filed with Secretary by Sen. Bill Cunningham
• 2/9/2017 Senate First Reading
• 2/9/2017 Senate Referred to Assignments
• 2/28/2017 Senate Assigned to Public Health
• 3/8/2017 Senate Postponed - Public Health
• 3/15/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Bill Cunningham
• 3/15/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
• 3/17/2017 Senate Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 7, 2017
• 3/22/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Public Health
• 3/28/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
• 3/29/2017 Senate Do Pass as Amended Public Health; 008-000-000
• 3/29/2017 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 30, 2017
• 4/6/2017 Senate Second Reading
• 4/6/2017 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 25, 2017
• 4/27/2017 Senate Third Reading - Passed; 056-000-000
• 4/27/2017 House Arrived in House
• 4/27/2017 House Chief House Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
• 4/27/2017 House First Reading

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Two Things for Illinois Anglers to Remember Before going Fishing this Weekend.

Two Things for Illinois Anglers to Remember Before going Fishing this Weekend.

There's so much going on this weekend for Illinois anglers.  There is Multiple bass tournaments, trout fishing, salmon run along the lake front, the long held tradition of smelt fishing and the opening of Heidecke Lake.  While we're all doing something different, there's two things we wish for you to remember before heading to that secret spot.

• Fishing License - April 1st starts the date where last years license is expired.  So make sure to buy all necessary stamps as well stamps especially for trout and salmon.  This link will connect you to the IDNR website where you can find fees and buy online.  

• 2017 Rules and Regulations - Here's a tip for you.  Since so many of you have a smart phone make sure to download the PDF so you have it everywhere you go.  Download it just in case the lake you're on has no cell service.  While many of these rules are the same, there have been some changes. So do your due dillegence and make sure to read the book.  Even if you have in the past its a great idea to have so you can help inform others that may not know.  

If you haven't been out yet with the unseasonably warm weather make sure to get out this weekend and enjoy all the adventures Illinois has to offer! 

Check back to see what we did this weekend. 

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Parks and Recreational Facility Construction Act-100th GA - HB 2828

Parks and Recreational Facility Construction Act-100th GA - HB 2828

Representative Charles Meier

Filed: HB 2828 on 2-9-17

Amends the Parks and Recreational Facility Construction Act of 2009. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning priorities for projects.

House Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Parks and Recreational Facility Construction Act of 2009. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to prioritize projects under the Act that create parks universally designed to meet everyone's needs, ages, and mobility and where all equipment, and the park itself, is handicap-accessible over projects that would create parks where only some equipment, or only the park itself, is handicap-accessible. Effective immediately.

Previous Actions:

• Date - Chamber - Action
• 2/9/2017 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Charles Meie
• 2/9/2017 House First Reading
• 2/9/2017 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 2/22/2017 House Assigned to Executive Committee
• 3/24/2017 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Charles Meier
• 3/24/2017 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
• 3/27/2017 House Re-assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
• 3/27/2017 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
• 3/28/2017 House Motion Filed to Suspend Rule 21 Agriculture & Conservation Committee;Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie
• 3/28/2017 House Motion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed
• 3/28/2017 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 012-000-000
• 3/28/2017 House Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 012-000-000
• 3/29/2017 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Illinois Fisheries Department Looking for Muskie during Trap Net Survey

Illinois Fisheries Department Looking for Muskie during Trap Net Survey

Autumn enjoying the survey

Fishing is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to catch. This past week the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Department was looking for the ever-elusive muskie. On March 20 - 22nd members of the Fisheries Department set the net traps at Jim Edgar Panther Creek's Prairie Lake.   Over the next two days they came back to check the nets and Autumn and I were there to watch.  We were informed that we would have the opportunity to observe them checking nets and surveying the fish, so we jumped at the opportunity.


As the IDNR and other observers launched Autumn and I headed to the back side of the lake to the first net location. Last year there were over 100 muskies surveyed, so everyone's expectations were high.   After checking the first net excitement turned to disappointment when not a single muskie was caught.  The water temperatures were in the high to mid forties and with another 47 nets to check anticipation and enthusiasm were still in the air.

After the completing the net checks the IDNR headed back to the boat ramp with a total of 44 muskie to weigh, measure and identify the sex.

Here is the results of the muskie survey reported by the IDNR over those two days:

A total of 44 muskie were collected in 48 trap net nights (8 females and 36 males). Female muskie ranged from 39.4 – 46.6” and 18.4 – 30.7 lbs, while male muskie ranged from 29.4 – 40.2” and 6.4 - 18.5 lbs. All muskie collected were in excellent body condition. A muskie PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tag study began in 2016. The 2017 survey resulted in the recapture of 15 muskie (2 females and 13 males) that were tagged last year and 29 newly tagged fish.

Here is a video that shows how quick these surveys are.  The first thing they do is measure, then check to see if there's a PIT tag already in a fish.  You can see them use the yellow gun device to check for a transponder.  If not they would inject a PIT right next to the dorsal fin.  I asked how long the IDNR has been using PIT and it's been over 15 years.  Who pays for all this you might be wondering?  The Shawnee Muskie Club paid for the nets and PIT tags.  Thank you very much, your efforts in helping the IDNR in their time of need is much appreciated by Capitol Outdoors and countless other anglers across the state.

Not a muskie fishermen! While the DNR states that there are not supposed to be crappie in Prairie Lake there is a population.  The Fisheries Department reported that:

'The trap net survey also resulted in a good black crappie and sunfish species sample. The largest black crappie in the survey measured 14.6” and 1.8 lbs.'

It's also not a secret to bass anglers that there are some monsters swimming around the lake.  During the survey there was one big bass caught that we just had to share. According to the survey:

'A few larger bass were starting to move as well. The largest bass collected measured 20.8” and 5.9 lb.'

All in all the weather was windy, cold and a little wet but I am glad that we had the opportunity to see our Fisheries Department in action.  While I have seen a lot of this on TV, it was amazing to see how the science is done on sight.  We can't wait until next year.  A big thank you goes out to Nerissa McClelland and the entire Fisheries Department for their hard work.  If you ever get the chance to watch the IDNR survey fish, I highly recommend it because it was pretty cool and Autumn really enjoyed it.

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe