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OutdoorIllinois
VOLUME IX, NUMBER 12
OUTDOOR ILLINOIS is published monthly by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Public Services, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787, phone (217) 782-7454, e-mail editor@dnrmail.state.il.us.
(Publication number: ISSN 1072-7175) Periodical Postage Paid at Springfield, IL POSTMASTER: Send address changes to OUTDOOR ILLINOIS, Department of Natural Resources, Dept. NL, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787.
George H. Ryan Governor
Brent Manning Director
James D. Garner Deputy Director
Jim Riemer, Jr. Deputy Director
STAFF: James L. Fulgenzi, office director; Gary Thomas, editor; Liz Pensoneau, managing editor; John Alien, staff writer; P.J. Perea, staff writer; Adele Hodde, chief photographer; Chas. J. Dees, staff photographer; Charles J. Copley, design & layout; Cheryl Gwinn, production coordinator; Vera Lynn Smith, circulation.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Internet Address: http://dnr.state.il.us
Staff-written material appearing in this publication may be reprinted without permission, provided that OUTDOOR ILLINOIS, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is acknowledged as the source. OUTDOOR ILLINOIS assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or illustrations.
Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion or other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source's civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, DNR, 524 S. Second, Springfield, IL 62701-1787; 217/785-0067; TTY 217/782-9175.
All public meetings conducted by the Department of Natural Resources will be accessible to handicapped individuals in compliance with Executive Order No. 5 and pertinent state and federal laws, upon notification of the anticipated attendance. Handicapped persons planning to attend and needing special accommodations should inform the Department of Natural Resources at least five days prior to the meeting by telephoning or writing the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, Department of Natural Resources, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787, phone (217) 785-0067.
Department of Natural Resources information is available to the hearing impaired by calling DNR's Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (217) 782-9175.
Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois PRT3216173-28,395-7/01 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with soy-based ink.
Illinois Department of
Natural Resources
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2
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Wildlife Do's and Don'ts
Sometimes, doing what you think is the "right thing" can result in the receipt of a written citation.
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6
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Wild Lures
The best baits for fishing might not be found at your sporting goods store—they just might be in your backyard.
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10
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Northern Playground
Named after an Indian chief, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area offers visitors a combination of natural heritage and outdoor recreation.
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14
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Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
Rend Lake attracted disabled anglers from across the country to compete in the PVA bass tournament.
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18
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The Director Gets His Due
It's amazing how much has been accomplished during Director Brent Manning's first 10 years at the helm of DNR.
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20
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NewsFront
We'll encourage you to practice safe boating, tell you about this year's urban fishing and leaner programs, how to compete in a Lake Michigan fishing tournament, where campground hosts are needed, how to get the new state park magazine, the name of this year's winner of the Junior Duck Stamp contest, how to enter our photo contest, how to take part in a fishing fair and give you a sandhill crane update in this month's NewsFront.
On the cover...
Managing Editor Liz Pensoneau took this month's cover photo of Normal resident Rick Lovings and his son Jacob enjoying a day of fishing at Walnut Point State Park, near Oakland.
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June 2001
Brent Manning
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During Illinois' Free Fishing Days, anyone can fish in our state without purchasing a fishing license, salmon stamp or an inland trout stamp.
Illinois was one of the first states to try this type of event, and today almost every state has a similar program. While most of these events last two days, Illinois' celebration is four days—Friday through Monday—so people who have weekends off, as well as those working weekends with either Friday or Monday off, can participate.
The concept behind Free Fishing Days is simple. The event is designed to give non-fishing individuals the chance to see if fishing is a sport they might want to try; a time for someone who hasn't fished in a number of years to give the sport another chance; a time when non-fishing parents can take their kids fishing; or a time when non-residents can come into our state and fish for a few days to see how our fishery compares to theirs. Free Fishing Days is a celebration of Illinois' fisheries. It's a weekend where you'll see civic groups, scouting organizations and sportsman's clubs sponsoring fishing derbies, how-to clinics and family events as part of the annual observance.
Free Fishing Days has been supported by numerous manufacturers and businesses associated with the fishing industry. We've been extremely fortunate in Illinois to have Piano Molding Co., the world's largest manufacturer of fishing tackle boxes, to serve as a co-sponsor of our event from the very beginning.
This year, DNR has another partner. We're working with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to promote its "Water Works Wonders" program to boost participation in both fishing and boating nationwide.
What makes fishing so unique is that it can be the most relaxing sport—as simple as sitting on the bank of a lake or stream with an old-fashioned cane pole, or as intense as fishing in a major tournament. You can go to a pond and catch dozens of panfish one day, then spend the next challenging yourself to catch an elusive muskie in a day's worth of casting. Fishing is what you want it to be.
We're proud of the work our DNR fisheries biologists do throughout the year to maintain and improve the fishery in Illinois. So if you've never tried fishing or haven't been on the water for a few years, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to give fishing a try during Free Fishing Days. If you're already an avid angler, invite one of your non-fishing friends or neighbors to your favorite fishing spot for a day or two.
I can't think of a more wholesome outdoor sport than fishing, and Free Fishing Days is our way of betting that if you give it a try, you're going to like it, too.
OutdoorIllinois
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