"Catch to Course" puts Asian Carp on Table

It's been said by many people even former Governor Pat Quinn, if you can't beat'em than eat'em.  Well Lt. Governor Sanguinetti did just that earlier this week.  Check out the press release from the Lt. Governors office.

Picture provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti celebrates partnership with Louisiana to market Asian Carp as food

Illinois, Louisiana promote invasive fish as healthy food source

CHAMPAIGN - Illinois Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti joined partners from Illinois and Louisiana at a luncheon in Champaign today to showcase and encourage the human consumption of Asian Carp as a healthy food source in America. These efforts can have a positive ecological and economic impact for both states.

Natural Resources Advisory Board of Illinois

Over the past several years, Capitol Outdoors has been attending NRAB meetings. Now, if you haven't heard of NRAB don't worry, 99% of hunters and anglers haven't. NRAB stands for the Natural Resources Advisory Board and according to the DNR is as follows:

The Advisory Board is statutorily created to advise the agency on long range policies to assist in guiding the protection and conservation of renewable resources of the state and recommend changes in hunting and trapping seasons and bag or possession limits. They also recommend to the Director which projects receive funding in bike, boat, and Open Space Lands Aquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant programs. Members serve six year terms and are appointed by the Governor. The Board holds quarterly meetings with time allotted for public comment on any topic.

In other words, NRAB hears proposals from the DNR and other constituents in order to recommend changes within hunting and fishing seasons, as well as our state parks.

Each quarter NRAB meets to discuss what has happened in the last few months and to discuss any of those possible changes.

Over these past years as we have attended these meetings Capitol Outdoors has realized how there is a gap in how this information travels to the public.  That is why starting at the first 2018 meeting of NRAB we will be broadcasting these meetings live on our Facebook.  This is so that you the hunter, angler and outdoor enthusiast are given the opportunity to be as informed as possible.
   

2018 Meeting Dates: 

January 22nd - IDNR Headquarters, Springfield, IL - Meeting Agenda

April 30th - IDNR Headquarters, Springfield, IL

July 30th - IDNR Headquarters, Springfield, IL

November 19th - To Be Determined - Whittington, IL - 11:00 a.m.

Want to know who is on the Board?

Natural Resources Advisory Board

*Information provided on this website is outdated.  Way to go Illinois!  We've reached out to the IDNR  to get an updated list and roll calls with no response.

Be sure to tune in Monday at 3 p.m. CST to see what NRAB is all about.

Champions are Made in the Off Season

Any high school, college or professional athlete that plays a sport has heard these lines from their coach during the off season.  For softball and baseball players it's practicing your swing and football players, lifting weights and studying film.  Bass fishing is no different, put the work in now and see the success later.  As a pro, your off season probably consists of doing commercials for sponsors, seminars and research for the upcoming lake schedule.

Anglers listen at the Student Angler Bass Education Series

Epic Way to Start a New Year

As temperatures drop, ice anglers get excited.  Walking on water isn't for everyone, however there are those that have the faith.  As colder weather approached hard water anglers start chatting on social media and other forums looking for safe ice.  In fact, we did a little of our own chatting providing viewers with a few updates at Jim Edgar Panther Creek and our excitement was growing as we saw the future weather forecast.

The New Year brought some frigid temperatures and many chose to stay in on New Year's Day, however, the weather didn't stop Capitol Outdoors and Matt Steele from hitting the ice.  We headed to Jim Edgar Panther Creek and in negative degree temperatures searched for some big crappie. However, it didn't quite go as expected.  Enjoy the video below: "Box of Chocolates, You Never Know What Your Going to Catch.

Farm Bill Forums Being Held for Sportsmen and Women

Keeping you informed from the Legislative Floors to the Great Outdoors means taking advantage of opportunities like this in order to better educate oneself.  Sportsmen and women have been invited to attend a forum on the Farm Bill.  Many of you may know how the Farm Bill plays an important role in conservation here in Illinois.   These forums are being held by the Theodore Reosevelt Conservation Partners and the Illinois Conservation Foundation which they've entitled "Illinois Sportsmen's Guide to the 2018 Farm Bill".

Tracker Releases New boat for 40th Anniversary

If you have a Facebook account it was hard not to see the sponsored ads by Tracker Boats for their 40th Anniversary boat. Each day they had a new post dropping the price a little each day until December 15th.  On that day they revealed the final price, along with the specs and what the boat included.  In front of a large crowd legend Johnny Morris, Bill Dance, Roland Martin and Jimmy Houston revealed the 40th Heritage Edition Tracker Boat.

Tracker Boats' staple to fame is to have an angler be able to purchase a boat with an electronic, a trolling motor and outboard at an easy to afford price.  Johnny Morris along with the team at Tracker Boats did just that!  For $9,995 including the trailer, this unique retro looking boat will have anglers across the country hitting the water in no time.  Coming with a 40 hp four stroke Mercury engine, a 12 volt 45 lb thrust MinnKota trolling motor and so much more, this boat is priced for anyone to enjoy some time on the water.  If you are a new angler or looking to get to onto some of those smaller waters here in Illinois then you really need to look at this boat!

Picture provided by HeritageBoat.com

Illinois CPOs Hard at Work Issuing Over 1,800 Citations and Warnings

While we're out in the field waterfowl hunting, deer hunting or just doing a little fishing, Illinois CPOs are hard at work enforcing Illinois wildlife laws.  It's easy to forget about law enforcement officers when you obey the law.  However, just because you and I are responsible doesn't mean accidents or negligence in the field doesn't happen.  Below you'll read about how our CPOs issued over 1,800 citations and warnings in less than a month.  While reading this don't forget about the last big bust in regards to fishing, CPOs cited a father and son who were in possession of over 115 perch!  

Our CPOs are doing the best job the can, especially being understaffed. (IDNR is Seeking Applicants for Conservation Police Officer Training).  But, they can't do it by themselves.  Poaching and those in violations of the law need to be reported and that's where you can help.  Make sure to take out your cell phones and add this number.  Call 1-877-2DNRLAW (236-7529) to report anyone you see who is doing something they shouldn't be!

IDNR Conservation Police Issue More Than 1,800 Citations and Warnings to Violators During Illinois’ Busiest Hunting Season

SPRINGFIELD, IL – While firearm deer hunters in Illinois took more than 80,000 deer during the state’s busiest hunting season, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Conservation Police report just four hunting-related accidents were reported, three of them involving injuries resulting from tree stand falls.

Fishing, Hunting and Outdoor Show List for 2018

2018 Illinois Outdoor, Hunting and Fishing Expos

Expo season is right around the corner and we will once again be attending many of the expos around the State of Illinois.  Here at Capitol Outdoors this is a time where we see old friends, and meet some new ones as well.  It's also a time for local businesses that have come to light in the last year to promote their business.

Here is a list of some of the expos we know that are coming up. Send us information for your expo or other outdoor shows at capitoloutdoors@gmail.com.

Outdoor shows are the perfect opportunity to get ready for the upcoming season and find once a year deals

- Milwaukee Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

December 8 - 10th 2017

Hunting and Fishing Black Friday Ads 2017

Hunting and Fishing Black Friday Ads 2017

Outdoor Black Friday Ads 2017

Who doesn't like a good deal, right? Whether you are out this Black Fridays shopping for deals or in the blind hunting for ducks, we have gathered some ads for you to look at.

Many people shop on Black Friday for Christmas gifts, however a better idea is to look for deals to replenish your supplies. Stock up on that hunting and fishing gear so that you don't feel it in the wallet when that time comes.

2017 Fishing Careers Workshop Offers Advice and Insight into Fishing Industry

The old question among anglers, 'how do I make a career in the fishing industry?'   This question drove fishing legend Al Lindner, his son Troy Lindner and ten other top notch fishing industry leaders to share their passion, successes and advice with a room full of eager participants at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd Minnesota.

Various high schoolers and established industry leaders from 14 states and Providence of Quebec, attended the 2017 Fishing Careers Workshop and then there's little ole' me.

Growing up in the 90's, In-Fisherman was the YouTube of today, anglers read and watched Al Lindner and others teach fishing tactics and how to's.  He wasn't just a TV personality, he was someone I looked up to.  What kid/adult wouldn't want his job?  Making videos about fishing, the dream job!

Lessons from My Rookie Year of Illinois Tournament Bass Fishing

Scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, posts are popping up already about tournament fishing for the 2018 Illinois Tournament Season.  It's hunting season and ice fishing is right around the corner and people are already talking tournaments in 2018.  That's cool though, I have too!  It inspired me to drop a few lines about my rookie year of fishing tournaments and what I learned along the way.

Mike Iaconelli would tell you "never give up"!  This is a picture from the Lincoln Bass Club's two day tournament out at Jim Edgar Panther Creek.  Two days  and we only weighed in one fish. Within the final hour of the tournament I reeled in my biggest tournament fish at 5 pounds 13 ounces.  Never overlook a small victory.

Tournament Organizers Apply for Permits Starting November 1st for 2018 Season

While many of us are thinking ducks and bucks, tournament anglers should already start thinking about next year.

If you are a director of a circuit or are wishing to apply for a permit to host a tournament on an Illinois lake, then this is for you.  Starting November 1, 2017 those who wish, can submit an application through the IDNR website.  See below for the press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

2018 Illinois Fishing Tournament Applications Accepted by IDNR Beginning Nov. 1

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Fishing tournament organizers can begin applying for 2018 tournament permits on November 1, 2017.

Marmion Academy Student Wins Illinois High School Muskie Tournament

It's no secret that high school bass fishing is on the rise, not just in Illinois but across the country.  Students were out again this weekend, hoping to make a name for themselves and their school.  However, this was not a bass tournament, this was the Illinois High School Muskie Tournament hosted by the Shawnee Muskie Hunters.   Anglers went out on a one day adventure looking for the elusive muskie.  

Libertyville High School Kicks Some Bass at Lake Springfield / FLW High School Illinois Open

Any tournament angler knows that when you hit the water it is not you against the other anglers, its more like you against the fish.  From across Illinois and from our neighboring state of Missouri, high school anglers arrived Friday night for registration to take on that challenge.  It was then that they were informed that the tournament would be postponed a day.  A great call by tournament Director Dave Maxfield.  If you were outside on Saturday you can understand why.

Top 5 teams from Sunday's FLW High School Bass Open on Lake Springfield 

IDNR Newsbits for October 2017

The Illinois DNR Newsbits is a monthly publication by the IDNR giving constituents of Illinois the '411'.  These issues are geared toward the outdoor enthusiast on a wide array of topics.   However, if you are a trapper in Illinois, this issue is for you. Don't get us wrong, there are some great events going on this month but there are plenty of opportunities here for the trapper.  

Look below.  

The IDNR forgot to mention one thing in this month's newsbits and that's the Illinois Trout Opener October 21, 2017.  Find out where you can go trout fishing across the state. 

Illinois DNR Newsbits for October 2017

Youth Deer Permits: Resident and non-resident Illinois Youth Firearm Deer permits are available over-the-counter (OTC) from DNR Direct license and permit vendors. The Youth Deer Hunt is Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 7-9.

Central Illinois Crappie Club Holds Open on Clinton Lake

Back in July, Capitol Outdoors attended ICAST in Orlando, Florida.  While there, we were astounded by how vast the fishing industry really is.  Today, we learned even more!  Thirty-six boats attended the first Central Illinois Crappie Club Open on Clinton Lake sponsored by Exelon.  "This is a great turn out" said Greg Humphrey of Bloomington.  "Usually there's 20 or so boats that attend, so seeing this many people out here is great"!

As the sun began to rise over the trees members did live-well checks and prepared their boats for a day out on the water.  The director went over the rules and told anglers they were searching for a maximum of seven,no less than ten inch crappie.

Pere Marquette State Park Hosts Educational Fishing Pond Dedication and More

Take the weekend of October 6th,and head down to Pere Marquette State Park.  The park will be hosting a ceremony dedicating their new Educational Fishing Pond.  Although the ceremony may only take a few minutes, this park has so much more to offer.  

"Fall color drives are popular along the wooded ravines and riverside roadways at and near Pere Marquette".

Growing up most of my time outdoors was spent with my dad and brothers.  Some of the most memorable times spent outdoors were with my mom leaf peeping.  Many of you may enjoy doing this with your kids.

Dedication Ceremony Planned for Oct. 6 for New Educational Fishing Pond at Pere Marquette State Park

GRAFTON, IL – Pere Marquette State Park will host a dedication ceremony and grand opening on Friday, Oct. 6 at 11:30 a.m. for the park’s new Educational Fishing Pond.

The public is invited to the ceremony to help celebrate the completion of the project. The new fishing pond will be used at the annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair every June, as well as for other park interpretive programs and Urban Fishing Program events.

The new pond is located just outside of the Visitor Center in front of the Log Cabin at Pere Marquette State Park.

The pond was constructed thanks to the support of individual and corporate donors.

The Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery was the primary donor for the project. Monsanto, Friends of Pere Marquette State Park Foundation, and another sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous also were major donors for the project. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries provided funding to pay for aerator and pump services and supplies for the pond. Total Lawn Care, Inc. of Jerseyville was the contractor for the project. Other project partners include:

Pere Marquette State Park staff
IDNR Region 4 Hot Shot Crew
IDNR Office of Resource Conservation, Fisheries
IDNR Office of Land Management
IDNR Office of Realty and Environmental Planning
Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources (IFOR)
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
Unique Concrete Concepts - Jerseyville, IL
Trico Electric - Jerseyville, IL
Baxter Gardens - Chesterfield, MO
Gorman Brothers Ready Mix - Jerseyville, IL
Goedecke Company - St. Louis, MO
McClintock’s Tree Service – Jerseyville, IL

Illinois' Fall Trout Opener is October 21

Looking for a great way to get those adults, youngsters or friends out fishing?  Look no farther then the Illinois Fall Trout Season.  This is a great opportunity to get outside, enjoy the cool breeze and catch some trout.  

The Illinois catchable trout program is funded by those who use the program through the sale of Inland Trout Stamps. For the fall season, the IDNR stocks approximately 80,000 rainbow trout into bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted.

I grew up trout fishing and still do it today.  Want to know how to catch some trout.  Read some of our other articles "Capitol Outdoors' Tips and Tricks for Inland Trout Fishing"  watch our youtube video - Trout Fishing at Southwind Park Springfield.

Illinois Fall Trout Season Opens October 21

2017 Illinois Fall Trout Locations (*) Denotes Sites Open for Catch-and-Release Fly Fishing Early Season 

The Fall Catch-and-Release Fly Fishing-Only Season Opens October 7 at nine sites

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The 2017 Illinois Fall Trout Fishing Season will open on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 54 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state. 

Eclipse 2017 Fishing Adventure

Waking up on August 21st to a weather report featuring clouds was a little disappointing to say the least.  Meteorologists predicted that the clouds would clear up around 1pm but with the way the sky looked, I was not hopeful. 

This being a great astronomical event, I took the opportunity to get some fishing in.  Not only did I want to be on the open water during the eclipse, I wanted to see how the fish and other wildlife were acting before, during and after. 

I loaded up the boat and headed to Jim Edgar Panther Creek, to fish for some bass and try out some new techniques. During my last tournament on this body of water, I fished a spot that was a little disappointing.  I decided to cruise the choppy waters and head back to that spot to test my luck yet again.  It still ended up being a disappointing spot, but I was optimistic.  It was the eclipse afterall, there had to be a 'biggin' out here.  

As I was fishing, I was continuously, observing the cloud pattern and there looked as if a rainstorm was on the horizon.  I was reaching for my raingear  in preparation when the sky openned up and a bolt of lightening struck in the distance.  It seemed as though this was a microburst, winds picked up, leaves and tree limbs were flying and the sound of rain was intense.  It was amazing and nerve-racking at the same time and as I watched the rain make its way across the lake towards me, I knew I wasn't going to be able to make it back to the ramp, so I beached my boat. 

Fifteen minutes later, the storm was over and I headed back out on the water to darker skys in hopes of catching the 'Eclipse Biggin'.

With my new boat, I started fishing a little further from shore because I don't want to accidentally hit something, she is 'my baby' after all. I am hitting the shoreline with a medium diving crank bait, when i stick a short at about 10 inches. I am always trying to improve my fishing game, so after some small catches, I decided to move to deeper water to work on my deep water fishing techniques. 

It seemed at about this time, things started to change.  It was late morning and it was very very quiet, even for Jim Edgar.

The usual sounds of birds chirping was non existent, and there was an eerie feeling across the lake.  

My deep water fishing consisted of a texas rig with a green pumpkin worm, dragging and twitching off the bottom.  Today, it didn't matter what you were doing, they were biting and it was loads of fun. 

My shortest fish was about 8 inches, and my 'biggin' of the day was about 18 inches.  It was a great feeling being able to catch my limit over and over again.  I never experienced a day where I was catching so many keepers. 

After awhile of fishing, I decided to head home hoping that the sky was clear for viewing.  As I got home the look of disappointment was on my wife's face was all I needed to see to know that she had not been able to view it all day.   

However, our wish was granted as the sky cleared.  Watching the end of the eclipse with my wife was icing on the cake to my Eclipse Fishing trip.  I'm not sure if the eclipse had anything to do with how great the fishing was or if I was just lucky, but this trip was up there with some of the best fishing days I have ever had.    

Did you go out fishing during the Eclipse?  If so, how did you do? 

Our First Trip to ICAST 2017

Our First Trip to ICAST 2017

July 13, 2017 Orlando, FL - It was a surreal moment walking into the Convention Center in Sunny Orlando Florida to attend the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades show, better known as ICAST. We were among many other media, exhibitors and manufacturers that gathered in Orlando to attend this worldwide conference. This year ICAST hosted about 500 exhibitors and had about 15,000 people registered for the show, including  people from over 70 countries.

On the Water Demonstrations

On Tuesday, we attended the On the Water event which allowed media and buyers the opportunity to test out new products.  This was held at the Orange County Convention Center North Campus.  There were many booths exhibiting their new items. During the demonstrations we had the opportunity to test out the Ultraskiff 360, the first and only patented portable round boat.  As you can see from the video below, it is very durable and has the ability to withhold rocking without tipping over. BOTE was also featuring their new Rover at ICAST, a paddleboard and microskiff in one.  This uniquely engineered product ended up winning Best of Show in the New Product Showcase.  You can read more about the specs for this amazing product here.  Throughout the event we also stopped and talked with Trapper Tackle who were debutting their Trapper Round Bend Treble hook and American Tackle demonstrating their JIGSKINZ “ProSkinz Color Series”.