Mike Conlin just got his response to one of the most talked about FOI requests in IDNR history, and it's unsatisfying; and the response backs up the need for the Fish Management Fund idea he and J.R. Black have pushed.
This wild weekend wandering around Chicago outdoors will take some girding of the loins, or should that be ungirding; but mainly a seeking of water and a way out of the heat, I know I am.
It's been good for 14-year-old fishermen catching what's there, good enough for a double down on both a Chicago fish and a north suburban one.
For the last several years, our youth group has helped with moving fish from the IDNR boat to Northern Illinois Anglers Association tanks be tagged for the Kankakee River Fishing Derby.
Click here for today's column about the reasons for the revival of bass fishing at Braidwood Lake.
Several fishing events highlight this lakes section of the Midwest Fishing Report; otherwise the brutal heat is the lead.
It only seems apt to run the Stray Cast here.
Low water and heat headline this rivers section of the Midwest Fishing Report.
Rick Remington comes through again.
Scott Meister talks about the reintroduction of tagged brood stock smallmouth bass into a restored stretch of the West Branch of the DuPage River this afternoon on "Outside" on WKCC-FM (91.1).
Click here for today's column, a pulling together of responses to last Sunday's column about southern Illinois vs Northwoods.
Mulling things on my morning ramble
with Storm, the family's mixed Lab.
Perch came in this week and that leads this Wild Weekend Wandering around Chicago outdoors, as well it should at the end of June.
Click here for today's column about a Father's Day outing with my two youngest at Braidwood Lake, which included a watersnake eating a bluegill.
Summer weather and hopes that perch will fully kick in lead this lakes section of the Midwest Fishing Report.
It only seems apt to run the Stray Cast here.
Low water (in most areas), reopening of the Indiana streams and summer patterns lead this rivers section of the Midwest Fishing Report.
Alex Kiscellus had plenty of sightings of deer in the Fox River and earned WOTW for the photo and the commentary on it.
Paul Brewer, wild turkey project manager for Illinois, talks about this spring's turkey hunting season, then he delves into the broader ideas of turkey management Monday afternoon on "Outside" on WKCC-FM (91.1).
Click here for today's column about the draw of the Northwoods vs staying in-state and going to southern Illinois.
Looks like we are wading right into summer and bullfrog season opens today in Illinois, and both lead this Wild Weekend Wandering around Chicago outdoors.
The IDNR announced deer seasons for 2012-13, including the closing of 10 formerly-open counties in the late-winter season.
Matt Kalkowski landed his first big king Friday and honored FOTW honors, partially a celebration of the ongoing spring for salmon for boaters around Chicago fishing.
EAGLE RIVER, Wis.--Click here for today's column about a trip north to fish the Spring Classic on the Eagle River Chain.
Summer patterns settle in, including hints of better perch fishing on southern Lake Michigan, for this lakes section of the Midwest Fishing Report.
It only seems apt to run the Stray Cast here.
Extremely low water and catfishing time lead this rivers section of the Midwest Fishing Report.
Cathie Healy Kramer caught this photo at the entrance to Johns Manville off Route 6 over the I&M Canal.
Click here for Sunday's column, a take on the status of the IDNR funding bill.
Ray Marshalla discusses the excitement of his career, then we expand to broader issues of the IDNR and waterfowl this afternoon on "Outside" on WKCC-FM (91.1).
Summer comes to this Wild Weekend Wandering around Chicago outdoors: from heat to free fishing days to an in-water boat show to perch fishing to wading.
Christopher Lundquist had a Memorial Day weekend to remember, worthy of FOTW.
Click here for details of Scott Duncan's first victory as a walleye pro.
Click here for today's column on the set up for the first Chicago In-Water Boat Show at 31st Street Harbor Thursday through Sunday.
Hints of perch fishing taking off on the Chicago lakefront and Free Fishing Days in Illinois lead this lakes section of the Midwest Fishing Report.
It only seems apt to run the Stray Cast here.
Perfect weather and perfect timing lead this rivers section of the Midwest Fishing Report, highlighted by a nicely turned description of the prime hour on the Fox River by Alex Kiscellus.
Karen Dobesh photographed this red fox and kits for WOTW.
Stephanie Frischie talks The Nature Conservancy's Kankakee Sands project this afternoon on "Outside" on WKCC-FM (91.1).
Click here for this week's column in the Sun-Times outdoors page about the beginning bee program at the Shedd.
Mulling things on my morning ramble
with Storm, the family's mixed Lab.
Ken Ferencz emailed these turkeys in window for WOTW.
Even by Chicago standards, it's been a wild week of weather with nearly a change of 50 degrees in high temperatures from last weekend to yesterday, and that certainly has an impact on this Wild Weekend Wandering around Chicago outdoors.
