FISHERIES' CORNER
From the amazing trout and salmon fishing in Lake Michigan to the sprawling backwaters of the Mississippi River to the big man-made reservoirs of the South, fishermen can find a variety of fish waiting to be caught, be it from shore, a small john boat or a 25-foot cruiser. The reward can be a succulent plate of golden-fried walleye filets, crisp channel catfish and hush puppies, smoked salmon or broiled trout. The frustration can be smashed tackle and broken lines, the results of savage strikes by a 30-pound king salmon, 50" muskie, or 20" smallmouth bass.
This website does not include every lake and river, only the waters considered the most productive at the present time. The information has been taken from actual fishing experiences and DNR fisheries managers and researchers who keep constant surveillance of the lakes and rivers of Illinois. Fishing prospects as well as actual fish survey reports can be found for selected waters within this website.
Also included is a description of the backbone of the state's fishery, the new Jake Wolf Hatchery that became operational in 1983 and the renovation of the Little Grassy facility. The system assures that fishing can only get better.
Keep in mind that changes are occurring constantly in our lakes and rivers. Weather and flooding can result in excellent or poor spawns. New species are constantly being introduced, and populations are being supplemented in certain lakes. Likewise, new facilities often are added to an area. The information provided in this website, therefore, is subject to change.
Our purchase of licenses and stamps before fishing along with the excise taxes on tackle support many of the programs which conserve and manage Illinois fisheries resources. In fact, the fees paid by anglers are the major source of financial support for fishing in Illinois.
Thanks for your cooperation. Only when anglers team with law enforcement officers and fishery biologists, can we ensure there will be great fishing in Illinois for years to come.
GOOD LUCK FISHING IN ILLINOIS!
Division of Fisheries
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
