Introduction Southern Illinois is a special place for many reasons. But for the angler, these beautiful and bountiful lands offer much more. They provide something that is difficult to describe, something unique and something wonderful, something to be treasured and something to be celebrated. For it is here in this magnificent place, this sportsmen''s mecca, that uplifting and truly magical experiences are had. It is here that lovers of the great outdoors can, and so often do, develop passions that will rage inside them like wildfire for all of their lives. I''m blessed to have been able to live my dreams, as a full-time fishing pro and outdoor sports media member, for most of my adult life. And I''ve also been blessed to call these my home waters, the waters of Southern Illinois. Hunting and hiking, boating and camping, rock climbing and horseback riding are just a few of the countless activities and sports practiced in this place--this place that seems as if it was created just for these purposes.

But it is the great sport and ancient tradition of fishing that causes the outdoor sporting paradise that is Southern Illinois to shine brightest. Southern Illinois fishing is truly remarkable. The tremendous variety of waters and species, the awe-inspiring wilderness areas surrounding them, and the incredible action that is had from high numbers of fish combine with excellent big-fish potential from the many trophy-caliber specimens taken from these long-famed lakes and rivers, creating the perfect storm that is the sport of fishing. We''ll cover all of that in this book, with information from a broad group of top fishing pros, biologists, outdoor sports media members and other experts on fish and fishing. We''ll discuss all of the region''s premier waters, with site-specific information. From the basics to the most advanced cutting-edge techniques, we''ll offer a battle plan for attacking the fisheries of the bottom portion of the Prairie State, which all anglers, from beginners to seasoned tournament competitors, will benefit from. America''s favorite sport fish, the largemouth bass; freshwater''s greatest sport fish, the mighty muskie; hard-fighting stripers and silvery whites; feisty bluegills and tasty crappies; beautiful trout and wily walleyes; and monstrous catfish are just a few of the many species that showcase what this incredible region of the country has to offer anglers. In this book we''ll get into detail about these and other fish species of Southern Illinois, as well as the science behind their behavior.

We''ll provide invaluable insight and a wealth of on-the-water experience, expertise proven most effective to catching them. From hot lures to top tackle selection, power boating big waters to paddling out-of-the-way spots, from weather and water conditions to seasonal changes and fishing pressure and how these many factors influence fish behavior, requiring anglers to make adjustments to their game, we''ll delve into the nuts and bolts of how it''s done here. From fishing fast to fishing slow and everything in between, we''ll dive headfirst into all that is fishing in the lower Land of Lincoln. By 2019 in the United States alone, the economic impact of the fishing industry had grown to $125 billion, producing over eight hundred thousand jobs. North America''s number-one participation sport is practiced by more than a billion people worldwide, and Southern Illinois anglers have made contributions to this global fishing stage. Southern Illinois angling has inspired the creation of tactics, products, and techniques that have been used by recreational anglers and amateur competitors to top professional charter guides and tournament pros across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and beyond, and we''ll discuss that here. Initially for survival and eventually for sport, fishing has been important to the residents of Southern Illinois throughout its history. The region features mile upon mile of flat farm fields and low woodlands, rolling forested hills and steep rugged mountains with vertical rock faces.

Every kind of terrain one can imagine--falls down to tiny creeks and gigantic rivers, small lakes and large reservoirs, little oxbows and vast swamps, shallow farm ponds and deep flooded strip pits--all filled with fish waiting to be caught. Some of the country''s best anglers have called Southern Illinois home. Some of the most interesting personalities that a writer could ever hope to interview, or an angler could ever hope to spend a day in a boat with, ply the waters here with regularity. Rest assured, there will be no shortage of fun and funny stories and interesting and inspirational material in the following chapters. While you''re likely to find this book complementary to a bowl of warm chili, a cold beer, or a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace or the campfire, beware. You''ll no doubt discover it easy, as we have, to aggravate a boss or a spouse, at least the ones who don''t fish anyway, as the waters will likely beckon too much to ignore. Let yourself sink into the magic that is Southern Illinois sportfishing. And after ingesting these pages into your mind and soul, drop everything and make time for some quality time, the quality time that is fishing in Southern Illinois.

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