Recreation

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Two anglers enjoy an afternoon on the lake while fishing on a silver boat. In the background are trees interspersed on the shoreline against a bright blue clear sky.

2025 Fishing Regulations Guide Available

Recreation | Fishing | Regulations


A black and white photo of people fishing at a lake. Three men are fishing from a boat. Several people are fishing from the shoreline. In the background is a forest. Overlaying the photo on the top right is the 100th anniversary logo celebrating the 100 years of the founding of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

A Century of Fishing in Illinois

Recreation | 100th Anniversary | Fish | Fishing | Regulations


Two people walking on a path through a prairie. In the background are trees against a cloudy sky.

New Lyme Disease Awareness Initiative Coming to Illinois

Recreation | Ticks


A group of adults in neon green helping children fish from a pond with green tinted water. In the background are canopy tents interspersed between tall green trees providing shade for people fishing.

The Legacy of the Family Fishing Fair: A Community Treasure

Recreation | Fisheries Pick | Fishing


A hunter in camouflage gear leans against a tree on the edge of an agricultural field. The hunter is holding a shotgun in her right arm with the barrel resting on her left knee.

Gratitude for the Opportunities, Friends and Adventures Hunting Offers

Recreation | Hunting


A brown, black, and white wild turkey flaps its wings along the edge of a woodland.

Fall vs. Spring Turkey Hunting: Beginner tips & techniques

Recreation | Birds | Hunting


A white shed white-tailed deer antler resting on the ground on top of leaf litter and brown dried grasses.

Hunting Sheds

Recreation | Hunting


An angler holds up a large tan fish in front of his torso with both of his hands. In the background is a freshwater lake and a shoreline filled with lush green trees and shrubs against a bright blue sky.

Illinois’ Prairie Bonefish – Carp on the Fly

Aquatic Organisms | Recreation | Fishing | Rivers and Lakes


A young African American boy holds a fishing rod and reel in his right hand and holds up a small green fish caught on the line in his left hand. In the background is a grassy area surrounded by trees against a partly cloudy bright blue sky.

A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing Illinois: Finding Prairie State Fishing Spots

Aquatic Organisms | Recreation | Fishing


A man wearing tan waders stands in shallow water of a pond. In front of the man is a wire mesh enclosure protecting native aquatic plants so they can become established.

Good Habits for Good Aquatic Habitat

Aquatic Organisms | Land | Recreation | Fishing | Habitat Management or Enhancement


On a bright sunny day four children and two adults stand on the edge of a lake. The two adults help the children with fishing rods and reels.

Seasonal Fishing Instructors Kickstart a Lifetime of Fishing

Aquatic Organisms | Recreation | Fisheries Pick | Fishing


In front of a woodland an adult male white-tailed deer with antlers stands alert. To the right of the male is an adult female white-tailed deer walking towards the edge of the woodland.

Why Are Deer So Successful in Illinois?

Recreation | Research | Wildlife | Deer | Hunting | Research | Wildlife Pick


A close-up photo of a wild turkey in full courtship display with a tail fanned and feathers puffed out along its body.

2025 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season Preview

Recreation | Wildlife | Hunting | Turkey


Three adult male wild turkeys stand in a fallow agricultural field in early spring. One is foraging for food, and the two other turkeys stand alert for potential predators. In the background is a wooded edge.

Change in Legal Shotguns for Hunting Wild Turkeys in Illinois

Recreation | Wildlife | Hunting | Regulations | Turkey


A woman wearing a navy blue backpack hikes through a spring woodland along a trail.

Contracting Lyme Disease Now May Be Linked to Mental Health Symptoms Later

People | Recreation | Ticks


A bald eagle with white feathers on its head and black feathers on its body perches on a tree branch against a bright blue sky.

Eagles Abound at the Fulton-Mason Eagle Day, February 1, 2025

Land | Recreation | Wildlife | Birds | Rivers and Lakes | wildlife viewing


Three young children stand in a duck hunting blind surrounded by sticks and brushy dried vegetation. In the background is an early morning sunrise over a freshwater lake and goose decoys stand at the water's edge.

Youth are the Future: Trends in Youth Hunting Participation in Illinois

Recreation | Wildlife | Hunting | Waterfowl | Youth


A hunter in camouflage gear holds up two successfully harvested Canada geese. She holds one in each hand. In the background is a closely grazed pasture against a woodland.

Becoming an Illinois Hunter

Recreation | Wildlife | Hunting


Three young men stand in a fishing boat. One individual holds up two large green fish one in each hand. Two other individuals stand and hold fishing rods and reels at the front of the boat trying to catch fish.

Bass Fishing a Growing Competitive Sport for Youth

Aquatic Organisms | Recreation | Fishing | Youth


A mowed path dissects a prairie in two. On the mowed path stands a hunter with his black Labrador dog and a Conservation Police officer wearing a black jacket and cap. The two individuals talk and interact with a bright blue sky overhead.

CPO Field Checks

People | Recreation | Hunting | Regulations



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