A scene found throughout the state during the summer months as fisherman converge on their favorite fishing holes. Many of these locations are found in state parks.

Illinois Fisherman Pay Their Way "Fishing is enjoyed by more Illinois residents than any other outdoor activity."

Every time an angler makes a purchase of some new fishing gear he is helping the fishing prospects in his state. And the more he spends, the more he helps!

This is the result of public law 681, the Federal Fish Restoration Act, passed by the 81st Congress on August 9, 1950. As a result of the law, better known as the Dingell-Johnson Act, states receive monies collected via an 11 per cent manufacturers' excise tax placed on ". . . fishing rods, creels, reels, and artificial lures, baits, and flies. . . ."

The tax was originally levied during World War II to produce wartime revenue. After the war, through passage of this Act, the money was made available to states based on populations and fishing license sales.

"States began receiving the Federal money in 1952," said Wm. Harth for the Illinois Department of Conservation. "It may be used for research, acquisition coordination and development of fishery-related properties and activities.

"The fisheries division first develops a project and submits it to the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Upon that agency's approval, the state may begin the project and upon completion the Act provides for us to receive a 75 percent reimbursement on money we have spent."

Since the inception of the act Illinois has received $3,809,964.17. This year's allotment for the Department is $336,251.08.

"In Illinois we use most of the money for development," said Harth. "We feel the best way to help the angler in Illinois is to provide more fishing areas for him. Since we began receiving the money we have bought property developed and built 15 lakes, and we have a 16th lake now being built."

The first such lake built with Dingell-Johnson monies was Red Hills Lake in Red Hills State Park, in 1953. Other lakes developed through monies created by the Act include Lake Murphysboro, Argyle Lake, Siloam Springs Lake, Lincoln Trail Lake, Johnson-Sauk Trail Lake, Randolph County Lake, Pierce Lake, Forbes Lakes, Lake George in Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, Rock Island County, Douglas County Lake, Morrison-Rockwood Lake, Sam Parr Lake and Bullfrog and Papoose Lakes in the Cook County Forest Preserve. Property has been acquired and work is now in progress for Shabbona Lake.

"Fishing is enjoyed by more Illinois residents than is any other outdoor activity," Harth concluded. "Each year over 800,000 licenses are sold to anglers. And as they purchase their fishing gear they are helping themselves to better fishing."

Illinois Parks and Recreation 12 November/December, 1972