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Predator Hunting

Varmit Hunting For The Off Season

A piercing sound breaks the early down silence.  It continues until you think it will never end.  It is the sound of a rabbit in distress that goes on and on.  Actually, the sound emanates […]

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Fishing Tips

REELFOOT BOAT

Due to the abundance of submerged trees and stumps in Reelfoot Lake, necessity is the mother of invention. Early on the Calhoun Reelfoot Boat became a reality.  The craft is a rather nifty local product […]

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Fishing News - Fresh

FISHING MISSISSIPPI RIVER POOL 13

The Mississippi River extends the entire length of Illinois varying fishing opportunities in the various pools formed by navigational dams. For bass fishing probably the best pool is Pool 13 which extends from Lock & […]

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Archery Hunting

GETTING KIDS STARTED IN ARCHERY

If you can instill in the younger set the good feelings and emotions you feel toward archery it will provide a family-friendly atmosphere where safety, trust and fun come first. The parent can only determine […]

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Catfish Fishing

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BLUE CATFISH

The big river is flooded right now. That means changes in the structure.  It does not mean the big blue catfish will not be still there when the river goes down. Although catfish are at […]

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Bass Fishing

KINKAID LAKE BASS FISHING

Usually thought of as a muskie and largemouth bass lake, Kinkaid does have a growing population of smallmouth bass. Due to the heavy recreational boating traffic in summer, the best opportunity for catching a lunker […]

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Fishing News - Fresh

TAILWATER ADDICTION

A summer of record rainfall has resulted in high water situations in most of Illinois lakes and rivers. As a result many fish washing over dams creating rejuvenated fisheries n the tailwaters downstream. Tailwaters are […]

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Fishing News - Fresh

THEY CALL THEM ROCKFISH

The screech of the reel is a dead giveaway for some rockfish action on the Ohio River. Even if they are not on the agenda today, rockfish, or as they are often known, striper can […]

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Fishing Tips

CRAYFISH – THE ANGLERS FRIEND

From Lake Michigan salmon to the popular catfish, the aquatic version of sirloin steak is the crayfish. Virtually all fish species like to eat them but bass and perch are particularly fond of this crustacean.

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Catfish Fishing

CRANKBAITS FOR CATFISH

Growing up in a Tom Sawyer-like existence, it was only natural that Larry Woodward would become a catfishermen.  Woodward, a veteran angler, guide and television host, has lived on the Mississippi River all his life. 

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Fishing News - Fresh

HAPPY HOURS – FAMILY FISHING

Economic conditions in recent years have forced people to make hard decisions on the use of their discretionary income for recreational fishing trips.  Family responsibilities demand we do better and more efficiently add to the […]

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Trout/Salmon Fishing

TROUT FISHING IN KANSAS

When you think about trout fishing, Kansas does not pop into your consciousness right away.  This program of stocking trout into deep former strip mining pits has produced some quality angling.  In 2014 one Kansas […]

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Fishing Tips

SUMMER ON THE ROCK

The 155 miles of Rock River that flows through Illinois from the Wisconsin state line to near Rock Island on the Mississippi River divides into three basic habitats for fish.  They are tailwaters below dams, […]

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Fishing News - Fresh

WHITE BASS OF CARLYLE LAKE ILLINOIS

Carlyle Lake offers some of the best white bass fishing in terms of quantity and quality.  The fish average about one half pound.  The total population runs 10 to 15-inches in length with 62 percent […]

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Fishing News - Fresh

FAMILY FISHING LOCATION IN CHICAGO AREA

Living in Chicago area for some 30 years still provides surprises in terms of family fishing locations.  The best fishing seems to come in the forest preserves and along the lakefront.  There are several rivers […]

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Walleye Fishing

MAY SAUGERS ON THE ILLINOIS RIVER

The 273 miles of the Illinois River divides into 5 pools as it meanders across the state.  The final one is the Alton Pool, just up river from St. Louis. The Alton Pool extends from […]

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Boat News

Reduction of Sounds in Boats

An often over looked part of fishing is the noise factor.  Whether on shore, in a boat or wading, sound plays an important part of fishing success.  Most of us have no realization of the […]

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Panfish Fishing

Finding Big Crappies

Biologists have studied crappie for years, including where they grow the largest.  A study done in South Dakota of both white and black crappie found that they grow the slowest in small impoundments and the […]

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Panfish Fishing

FISHING ILLINOIS STRIP PITS

Time was when strip mined land was a story of environmental devastation.  Now they have become successful habitat restoration.  The woodlands, healthy grasslands and abundant water provide outdoor recreation for the public. Most of the […]

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Trout/Salmon Fishing

TACKLE FOR ILLINOIS TROUT FISHING

Fishing for Midwestern trout is usually a little different than in western or eastern waters.  This is due to the fact that most Midwestern trout are hatchery raised and often found in ponds as opposed […]

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Fishing Tips

MULTI-SPECIES FISHING ON REND LAKE

The vast expanse that is Rend Lake (19,000-acres) can be a challenge for anglers.  Twenty five years of fishing the lake teaches one that the largemouth bass, yellow bass, crappie and catfish (channel and flathead) […]

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Bass Fishing

How Bass Bite A Lure

Although they are still popular the jig is not as dominant on the professional bass fishing circuit, as was once the case.  With the advent of pitching and flipping, the jig was a natural lure.  […]

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Fishing Tips

Striper Wolf Packs

Our best fighting fish is a pretty apt description to anyone who has ever hooked one.  These shad eating machines prowl a number of Illinois waters providing excitement for any angler who is lucky enough […]

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Ice Fishing

TIPS FOR ICE FISHING PONDS

Finding fish through the ice can be difficult but possible.  The most obvious way is to know the water and at what level the fish are holding.  Bluegills and perch are typically near the bottom.  […]

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Fishing Tips

Finding Fish In The Winter Zone

While anglers in northern Illinois are fishing through holes in the ice, anglers in southern Illinois are still fishing open water lakes and ponds. Mild winters allow southern Illinois anglers to fish all year around.  […]

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Fishing Tips

Ice Out Patterns For Cold Fish

Some fishermen mistakenly seem to think fish are like bears and go into hibernation.  Large game fish often turn up at this time of the year.  The fish are not as aggressive when water temperatures […]

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Deer Hunting

Treestand Safety For Dummies

Every year numerous hunters take to the woods in pursuit of the White-tailed deer.  As the season progresses conditions in those stands deteriorate as the snow and ice cover the equipment and cold weather numbs […]

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Small Game Hunting

CHALLENGE OF BOWHUNTING WOODCOCK

Just what is this animal the woodcock? Why is not a major hunting species?  It is the hunter’s ultimate challenge but not really well known out of the eastern states. Hunters seek game animals ranging […]

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Deer Hunting

Ambush Deer Setup

All too often we spend more time dressing up our ground blinds and treestands with too little thought about where to place them. That often is a big mistake. Be aware of prevailing winds. Try […]

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Ice Fishing

ICE FISHING WOLF LAKE

There are two Wolf Lakes in Illinois.  This one is near Chicago just off of Lake Michigan on the Illinois/Indiana state line.  The other one is downstate. Wolf Lake is a 419-acre lake in the […]

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Catfish Fishing

Catfish and Kids

Aggressive feeding habits, fast growth and affinity for shore line structure make the catfish a natural for teaching young and old the secrets of fishing. This feisty battler enjoys a state-wide distribution due to its […]

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Ice Fishing

Some Ice Fishing Basics

Not having a basic knowledge of a sport like ice fishing limits ones desire to participate. With a little forethought and some basic and relatively inexpensive equipment is all one needs to find success in […]

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Rifles and Shotguns

Choosing A Shotgun As A Gift

The season of gifting is fast approaching. For some it might include the gift of that first gun for a child.  There are some basic considerations in gifting a firearm. The first consideration is the […]

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Fishing News - Salt

Rocket Stripers and Hybrids

There is nothing that will stir the heart like the whine of a reel when a Striper or Hybrid Striper has taken your bait.  These striped rockets are the state’s greatest battler according to Steve […]

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Trout/Salmon Fishing

Illinois Catchable Trout Program Starts Friday

Catchable trout fishing takes place in some 50 lakes and ponds across Illinois beginning on October 18th. For a complete listing of the sites check the website for Illinois Department of Natural Resources at http://www.dnr.iillinois.gov. […]

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Fishing News - Fresh

Beware Of Flying Carp

Boating public on the upper mid-western rivers and some lakes are finding a new navigational danger, flying carp. The Asian Silver Carp and Bighead Carp have become prolific in the Midwest will take to the […]

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Boat News

Boat Theft Prevention

Boats, trailers and related gear are susceptible to theft.  It can be as simple as tire theft from the trailer or as complicated as stealing an engine or boat.  The key to theft prevention is […]

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Fishing Tips

Fall White Bass Fishing

Fall fishing for white bass is just the opposite of the spring pattern. In spring they move to staging areas and then into the spawning areas of lakes and rivers. As the water temperatures begin […]