Illinois Fishing Reports

• Chicagoland Fishing - a wealth of forums and discussion here. There are too many to link to directly, but one that I always watch is:
  Lake Michigan Forum - if you want to know what's going on at the harbors this is the place
  
  
• The Steelhead Site - Illinois Steelhead / Salmon fishing reports
  
  
• Heartland Outdoorsman Fishing Forum - A member of TSS (The Steelhead Site) recommended this as yet another great place to watch for fishing reports in IL...seems like members hit a wide variety of water!
  
  

• MP's Rambling Reports - This site of course! Bookmark it already! - while I have all this other great stuff on the site, first and foremost it's all about getting out the fishing reports!

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Illinois River Flow / Temp Data

• Michigan Sea Grant Coastwatch - Lake Michigan Surface Conditions - between the flows, the weather and the lake suface temps you can start to figure out if the fish are close to shore or far out.
  
  
• USGS - probably not very helpful for Illinois but you never know!
  

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Illinois Weather Data

• Accuweather.com - only place I've been able to find forecasted precipitation amounts.
  
  
• Illinois Weather @ Weather Underground - real time conditions ++
  
  
• Illinois Weather @ Weather Central - select a region for a 7-day forecast
  
  
• Weather.com - I admit it, I do use the Weather Channel's website most often. You can type in the name,state if you don't have a zip (Kenosha's results are bookmarked on my home computer.
  

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Illinois Fishing License Info

• Illinois License Fees - from the DNR.
  
  
• Illinois DNR License Sales - Buy your Illinois fishing license online!

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Illinois Fishing Regulations

• Illinois Fishing Regulations - from the DNR - download the PDF file.

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Illinois Maps / Access Points / Waterbody Info

• Lake Michigan Angler - lists the locations of some Lake Michigan shoreline fishing points in Illinois. Many other access points for neighboring states are also given.
  

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Illinois DNR

• Illinois Department of Natural Resources Homepage - State DNR / Fishery Department websites can be a WEALTH of information. If I didn't link to it already, that doesn't mean you won't find it here!

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Illinois Fly Fishing Guides, Fishing Guides & Charters*

*A note about the guides I link to - I'm only going to list folks I've fished with or know REALLY well. I've always considered a link to a guide to be my personal endorsement; I'm not going to send YOU to someone I don't know firsthand (and therefore can't really recommend).

None to list at this time.

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Illinois Fly Shops / Tackle Shops

• One More Cast - Joseph runs a heck of a nice shop...the tying materials selection is the most comprehensive I've found in the state. Joseph puts together several trips per year, as well as offering casting and fly tying instruction. Definitely worth a visit and your business; Joseph has the best customer service! Check out the day I broke my rod, and he lent me a brand new St. Croix Legend Ultra to use (10-26-03) while we were up on the Brule River. If you asked me for my first choice of shops to patronize in Illinois, One More Cast is my top pick.
  
  
• Trout & Grouse - the closest Fly Shop to my office; I don't go in there for much 'cause they're usually closed(!) when I could stop by. I will say this, they have some unique tying materials AND have been consistently helpful when I need a custom rod sock or tube for my rodbuilding.
  
  
• Deerfield Orvis - more or less I'm listing it here simply so you know it's there. I'd highly recommend a visit to the prior two stores before going to Deerfield Orvis only because it's the independent dealers that keep the giants in check. Yeah they've got the gear, flies and equipment, but you are gonna pay for it.
  
  
• Bass Pro Shops, Gurnee - OK, I admit, no sooner do I say don't support the giants and then here I go, listing Bass Pro. Well I have to be honest, I like a lot of their gear (I own over a DOZEN Hobb's Creek Large Arbor Reels) and they're open late, so if I need something after work I can actually GET to their store and they're still open! The White River Fly Shop selection is fair, Lito and Carol are two of the friendliest folks I know. Check out their FREE fly tying classes spring and fall, usually on Thursday nights. You might even run into me there!

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Illinois Fishing-Related Clubs

• Gary Borger Chapter of Trout Unlimited - Frank Nardomarino is a member (and I believe new President) and keyed me in on this club for Northern Illinois enthusiasts.
  
  
• Elliott Donnelley Chapter of Trout Unlimited - this is the "Chicago" chapter of TU.
  
  
• Illinois Steelheaders - this diverse group of anglers meets just a couple miles from where I grew up.
  

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Other Illinois Links Of Interest

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