NewsFront

Illinois simplifies Mississippi River fishing regs

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Missouri Department of Conservation recently entered into an agreement to allow anglers from either state to fish anywhere in the Illinois-Missouri boundary waters of the Mississippi River or its backwaters under a more uniform set of regulations. Fishery biologists, law enforcement officers and fisheries administrators from the two agencies developed the agreement to make it easier for anglers to obey fishing regulations.

"In the past, regulations were different for almost every sport fish, depending on which state's waters you were fishing," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "The new agreement establishes uniform regulations on methods, seasons, length limits and daily limits for sport fishing along the Illinois-Missouri boundary."

Previously, an Illinois-licensed angler fishing on the Missouri side of the river could legally fish without a Missouri license, but only if doing so in "flowing portions" of the river, a subjective and often temporary condition. A Missouri-licensed angler could fish on the Illinois side of the river, but could not stand on shore and fish from Illinois property in the same water that was legal to fish from a boat.

MDC Fisheries Division Administrator Norm Stucky summed up the change, saying, "It is time that we treat this great river as it truly is—a single ecosystem in which fish move freely throughout. Anglers should be able to enjoy this wonderful resource without undue anxiety over geopolitical boundaries that mean nothing to the fish."

Treating the river as one system required Missouri and Illinois officials to define the term "backwater." For the purposes of Missouri fishing regulations, a backwater is now "any flowing or non-flowing water lying exclusively within the flood plain of a river and connected to that river at any water level below official flood stage." Illinois defines the term more broadly, but Missouri-licensed anglers can enjoy worry-free fishing in Illinois waters that are connected to the Mississippi River at levels below flood stage.

Missouri anglers should be aware that their statewide three-pole limit has been reduced on the Mississippi River. However, the number of hooks they may use on labeled set lines has been increased. As of March 1, not more than two unlabeled poles (formerly three) and not more than 50 hooks (formerly 33) may be used by any person at one time anywhere on the river.

There is no closed season on any species except paddlefish (spoonbill). Snagging for paddlefish is allowed from March 15-May 15 and again from Sept. 15-Dec. 15. This represents a compromise between the formerly non-aligned seasons in the two states.

The new agreement establishes a 12-inch minimum length limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Missouri has maintained its statewide minimum length limit of 24 inches for paddlefish (measured from the eye to the fork of the tail), while Illinois license holders (and those exempt from buying an Illinois license) may keep spoonbill of any size if caught in Illinois waters. Complex length limits for striped bass or their hybrids were dropped by both states. No other sport fishing length limits are in effect on Illinois-Missouri boundary waters.

Daily limits were changed in both states. Each had its own rules based upon long-standing traditions that were consistent with statewide regulations. Each had to make significant compro-

Riemer named Deputy Director of DNR Gov. George H. Ryan has named James A. Riemer Jr. as Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources. "With his science background, his management experience in the public and private sectors and his strong leadership and organizational skills, Jim Riemer will be a valuable member of DNR's management team," Ryan said. Riemer most recently was chief operations officer for DNR's Office of Resource Conservation. He has a bachelor of science degree in environmental biology from Eastern Illinois University. Riemer has diverse management experience, including stints at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the state Comptroller's Office and a private engineering firm. As deputy director, Riemer will assist Director Brent Manning with overseeing the day-to-day operations of several department offices. He replaced Richard Mottershaw, who retired Jan. 31. Riemer, 30, lives in Springfield with his wife, Laura, and two children, 2-year-old Jimmy and 1-year-old Olivia.

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mises in the interest of achieving simplicity and uniformity.

"We had to set tradition aside in order to better serve our public, and we tried not to unduly restrict anglers in the process," Manning said.

For many species or groups of species, Illinois agreed to establish a daily limit where none had existed previously. In such instances, Missouri doubled its statewide daily limit for the Mississippi River only, thus achieving a numerical compromise acceptable to both states. Biologists in both states said they believe these changes will not significantly affect Mississippi River sport fish populations.

The daily sport fishing limits on Illinois-Missouri boundary waters of the Mississippi River now are: 20 channel and blue catfish combined; 10 flat-head catfish; six black bass; 30 white bass and hybrid striped bass combined; eight walleye and sauger combined; one northern pike; 30 white and black crappie combined; two paddlefish (spoonbill); and, 100 other fish combined.

For more information on the Illinois-Missouri boundary waters agreement, contact: Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fisheries, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, Ill. 62701, phone (217) 782-6424.

Administrative rules now on homepage The Department of Natural Resource's administrative rules now are available on the Department's web site at http://dnr.state.il.us. Rules currently in place as well as proposed rules open for public comment are included. There also is a link to Illinois' statutes.

Become an outdoor woman A weekend of adventurous outdoor activity awaits women from throughout Illinois as the Department of Natural Resources hosts the 7th annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman spring workshop, June 8-10 at Northern Illinois University's Lorado Taft Campus in Oregon. "The workshop is a great way for women interested in the outdoors to get hands-on instruction and advice in a learning environment that they are sure to enjoy," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "Whether they've had a little bit of experience or none at all, those attending the workshop weekend will get to experience everything from catching fish to shooting a bow to paddling a canoe." The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop features instruction on firearms and firearm safety, archery, fishing, mapping and navigation, water safety, canoeing, plant and wildlife identification, camping and backpacking, outdoor survival and other outdoors skills. Courses are oriented to women ages 18 and older. Enrollment is limited to 75. The workshop fee of $150 per person includes all course instruction, program materials, demonstration equipment, meals and lodging. Registration forms and fees must be received no later than May 1. An autumn workshop will be held Sept. 28-30 at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton. Program details will be available after May 1. For more information or a registration form, contact Kathy Andrews, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman coordinator, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, Ill. 62701-1787, or phone (217) 524-4126. Registration forms also are available on the DNR web site at: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/bow. Archery is just one of many recreational activities to be taught at this year's Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop, scheduled for the Lorado Taft Campus June 8-10. Participants also learn about canoeing, firearm safety, fishing, camping and other outdoor skills.

Smelt fishing continues through April 30

Smelt fishing season runs through April 30 on Lake Michigan. Smelters must have an Illinois fishing license, may operate no more than one device, and must immediately return all fish other than smelt to the water.

Smelt may be taken with a seine or gill net not more than 12 feet long and six feet deep with a mesh size of not more than 1 1/2 inches diagonal stretch; or by dip nets not more than 12 feet in diameter with a mesh size of not less than one-inch diagonal stretch. Trolley or power lines may also be used.

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Winter fish kills discovered

Minor to extensive fish kills were discovered on lakes and ponds throughout northern and central Illinois in early March.

Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists blamed the length and severity of the winter weather in December and January. Thick ice and heavy snow cover on many ponds and lakes appeared to have resulted in dissolved oxygen levels in the water being too low for many fish to survive. Although usually associated with shallow ponds, dead fish also were discovered in deeper ponds, especially those with excessive deposits of aquatic vegetation and tree leaves that contribute to oxygen depletion.

Pond owners concerned about an imbalance of fish species resulting from a winter kill should contact their local DNR district fisheries biologist to discuss fish restocking options.

On larger lakes, biologists also are warning of extensive gizzard shad die-offs that may have occurred this past winter. Illinois is the northernmost range of the species' distribution and it is not well adapted to lengthy winters. Typical observations include large numbers of dead or dying gizzard shad with few, if any, other species affected.

For more information on gizzard shad or other weather-related fish concerns, contact the Division of Fisheries by calling (217) 782-6424, or check the DNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/fish/fishkill.htm.

Trout season begins April 7

The 2001 spring trout fishing season in Illinois begins Saturday, April 7.

The trout stocking program is supported by funds generated from the sale of inland trout stamps. The stamps are available for $6.50 each at DNR regional offices, at the Springfield and Chicago offices, and at numerous municipal, township and county offices, plus sporting goods stores and bait shops. Inland trout stamps, as well as fishing licenses, also may be purchased with a credit card through the DNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us.

Anglers must have a valid Illinois fishing license and an inland trout stamp, or a 24-hour fishing license which includes trout fishing privileges. A license is required unless the angler is under age 16, blind or disabled, or an Illinois serviceman or servicewoman home on leave. Annual fishing licenses now being sold for the 2001 season expire on March 31, 2002.

Anglers are prohibited from taking trout from any of the stocked sites until April 7 at 5 a.m. Anyone attempting to take trout before the legal opening will be issued citations. The daily possession limit for the spring trout season is five fish.

For more information about the trout stocking program, contact the DNR Division of Fisheries at (217) 782-6424, TTY (217) 782-9175 or by calling 1-800-ASK-FISH.

Stocking sites (by county) for the spring catchable trout program:

Adams County - Siloam Springs State Park Lake; Boone County - Mill Race Ponds; Bureau County - Hennepin Canal Parkway; Cass County -Gumey Road Pond at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area; Champaign County - Lake of the Woods; Cook County - Axehead Lake and Belleau Lake, both in the Cook County Forest Preserve District; Coles County - Eastern Illinois University Campus Pond; DuPage County - Silver Lake; Grundy County - Gebhard Woods State Park Pond; Jefferson County - Mount Vernon Game Farm Pond; Jo Daviess County - Apple River Canyon State Park: Johnson County -Ferne Clyffe State Park Lake; Kankakee County - Bird Park Quarry and Rock Creek; Kendall County - Big Lake at Silver Springs State Park; Lake County - Banana Lake and Sand Lake: LaSalle County - Illinois and Michigan Canal at Utica; and Macon County - Rock Springs Pond.

Also: Marion County -Boston Pond at Stephen A. Forbes State Park; Massac County - Fairgrounds Pond in Fort Massac State Park; McLean County - Miller Park Lake; McHenry County - Lake Atwood and Piscasaw Creek; Moultrie County - Wyman Lake: Ogle County - Pine Creek in White Pines State Forest; St. Clair County - Frank Holten State Park main lake and Jones Park Lake; Sangamon County -Department of Transportation Lake and Washington Park Pond; Shelby County - Forest Park Lagoon; Stephenson County - Waddams Creek at Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park and Yellow Creek in Freeport; Vermilion County - Clear Lake at Kickapoo State Park; Wabash County - Beall Woods Lake; Wayne County - Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area Trout Pond: Whiteside County - Coleta Trout Ponds; Will County -

Correction James Ebens' name was incorrectly spelled as James Ebers in our listing of this year's entries in the Big Buck Recognition Program. We regret the error.

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Lake Milliken at Des Plaines Conservation Area; and Winnebago County - Kent Creek in Rockford.

Franklin Creek committee receives national award The Franklin Creek Preservation Area Committee, a citizens organization dedicated to development of facilities and conservation of natural resources at the Franklin Creek State Natural Area in Lee County, has been recognized for its efforts with the presentation of the National Association of State Park Directors' President's Award. "This prestigious national award is much deserved by a group that for the past 20 years has been a driving force behind the development of recreational facilities at our beautiful Franklin Creek site," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "It is a shining example of the value of partnership in enhancing the natural resources of our state." The National Association of State Park Directors, representing state park system managers from all 50 states, presents the President's Award annually to a person or organization from outside the state park system making a major contribution to state park excellence. The 15-member Franklin Creek Preservation Area Committee organized in 1981 to propose and perform a variety of development initiatives at the 506-acre Franklin Creek site near Franklin Grove. Committee members drilled wells, installed underground electrical service, built picnic shelters, restrooms, roads and parking areas at the site. The group also established hiking trails with assistance from the Franklin Center Future Farmers of America chapter. The historic Franklin Creek Grist Mill at the site was reconstructed as a result of a $450,000 fundraising campaign spurred by committee members, who also donated thousands of hours of labor for the grist mill project. The committee operates and maintains the grist mill as an education and interpretive center, providing site visitors with information about the Franklin Creek area's natural resources. (Photo by Adele Hodde)

Purple loosestrife and beetles to be discussed

Robert Wiedenmann, an entomologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, will discuss the history of purple loosestrife and efforts to control it at a presentation at Volo Bog State Natural Area on Saturday, April 28, from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Purple loosestrife is a plant that is taking over Illinois wetlands (see invasive species story in this issue). The only thing that appears to keep it in check is a beetle.

INHS is hoping to include homeowners and community representatives in their efforts to control purple loosestrife. Participants will be given materials at the workshop to get started in "at home" beetle rearing. Participants will later be mailed beetles for either rearing or for release on their property or on lands for which they have landowners' permission.

Reservations are required to attend this discussion. Phone Volo Bog at (815) 344-1294 for more information on the program.

MuseumLink launched for Illinois teachers

The Illinois State Museum recently launched a new web site called MuseumLink Illinois. The site, found at http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink , was developed to provide teachers and students in grades 6 through 12 with Illinois-specific information, resources and activities on art, Native American heritage, forest and prairie ecosystems and museum careers. It offers access to the Illinois State Museum's vast collections, data and expertise.

While the site was designed for teachers, MuseumLink provides a wealth of information for anyone interested in the natural and cultural resources of Illinois.

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