William G Stratton Lock and Dam Resumes Full Time Operations

Fish, or boat on the Fox River?  This is for you!  The released the follwoing press release regarding opperations of the Stratton Lock and Dam on Fox River.  Please share and spread the word with those who boat or fish on the Fox River.

IDNR Announces Seven-Day Operating Schedule at Stratton Lock Resumes June 28

MCHENRY, IL - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced that the William G. Stratton Lock and Dam on the Fox River in McHenry will resume full-time daily operations for the remainder of the 2017 boating season beginning June 28. 

From June 28 through September 30, the Stratton lock tenders will operate the facility seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. until midnight. From October 1-31, operating hours will be 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. daily. The lock is closed for the season each year from November 1 through April 30.

Since the 2017 boating season lock operations began on May 3, Stratton lock hours have been 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sunday and holidays; 10:00 a.m. until midnight on Thursday through Saturday; and, closed each Monday and Tuesday.

Legislative Wrap Up for First Section of 100th General Assembly

Legislative Wrap-up for First Year of 100th General Assembly

The legislative deadline for the first year of the 100th G.A. (May 31st) has come and gone.  This year, the general assembly was focused on major reforms to try and combat the budget deficit and ultimately pass a budget.

The political back and forth and blame game continued throughout the session and no real reform happened and unfortunately this state is still without a budget.

Speaker Madigan has called for continuous session throughout the summer in an attempt to pass a budget before the June 30th deadline. 

In between all the budget discussions, there were in fact some hunting and fishing bills that made it through both chambers and now sit on the Governor's desk.    

If you would like more information on each bill, click on the link.

Bills that passed both chambers:

• HB 2028 -Aquatic Life License Renewal Date
• HB 2685 - Wildlife Trapping - Green Hides
• HB 3093 - Electronic Hunting License
• HB 3272 - Commercial Fishing Regulations
• HB 3273 - Fish-Lake Michigan

There are still some major hot button issues that sit in either chamber to be potentially voted on. Such as the Bobcat Prohibition Bill, Lead Ammunition Ban and the Crossbow Hunting bill. 

Be sure to subscribe so that you can stay up to date as things happen in the General Assembly. 

Know someone that needs to be informed of these issues?  Forward this along.  Let's unite and be informed hunters, anglers and outdoor men and women! 

A Message from Director Wayne Rosenthal and June's News Bits

A Message from Director Wayne Rosenthal

Last month, Illinois once again saw major flooding, with flood impacts seen on our big rivers and their tributaries in just about every part of the state. This was the third major flood event to occur in Illinois in a year. However, despite near-record flood levels in some parts of the state, flood damages were minimal. In comparison to some other states, major floods hardly made the news in Illinois.

Fish, Learn, Enjoy at the 26th Annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair

There are no excuses for not attending this event!  This is a great opportunity to get the family outside with things for everyone to enjoy. Have your little ones catch a fish and get a photo, win some prizes and much more.  Not the fishing type?  Well, its never to late to get your feet wet and learn some new things.  You and your kids will learn a great deal about conservation, fisheries and more.  

Get outside on June 10, 2017 at the Pere Marquette State Park for the 26th Annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair.  Below you can read the press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources regarding this fantastic annual event.  

Fishing Event a Great Catch for Families on June 10 at Pere Marquette State Park

26th annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair

GRAFTON, IL – For a day filled with fun and educational activities for the entire family, check out the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair on Saturday, June 10 at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton on Illinois Route 100. The 26th annual Fishing Fair – from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. – will include favorite activities from previous years, plus several new activities families should enjoy.

Activities include a new and improved catch-and-release bluegill pond, where young anglers can have their photograph taken with their catch; the popular One-Cast station, where everyone wins a prize; and, bowfishing stations where children can shoot at moving targets in a pool or at a 3D target. Every child who completes at least seven stations at the Fishing Fair will receive a prize and have the chance to catch a trout in the trout pond.

A new 4,000-gallon mobile aquarium – Texas Bass Tanks with Brad Campbell – will be featured this year, stocked with many of the fish species found in the Illinois River. Fishing seminars will be presented all day, including local experts demonstrating a variety of fishing techniques. Television personality Jeff Watson and his Grizzly Bear will be part of the festivities, as well. The Rockabilly Revival will be playing live music, and there will be food available for purchase.

“We want to get kids hooked on fishing, and not on some less desirable things that are available for our kids to choose from,” said IDNR Urban Fishing Coordinator Scott Isringhausen. “Thanks to our generous sponsors, we are able to continue to offer this free event. We are very fortunate to have Phillips 66 of Wood River as a Premier Sponsor, together with Farm & Home, Wal-Mart, Cabela’s of St. Charles, and the Jersey County Board.”

There is no charge to attend the Fishing Fair, or to catch a fish, and parking is free. No license or fishing gear are needed. For more information, contact Pere Marquette State Park at 618-786-3323 ext. 1 or the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge at 618-883-2524.

The event is hosted by Pere Marquette State Park (administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources), and co-sponsored by the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge (administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.