jim bielecki

I'm going to be there. Jim K. I can be there to support our cause with you. You can find me...I'll have my ISA hat on.

Great Video! I watched the whole session and it really shows the positive aspects and potential of dam removal. I'm looking forward to the removal of the McDowell, and Warrenville Dams! Any future talks about removing the dams along the Fox R.?

I was just at the Fox R. yesterday. The water is high and fast. I'm not so sure if the water will be down enough to plant successfully. If by chance the planting needs to be postponed...perhaps we can get together to clean up some trash and do a little fishing.

I was at the Kankakee on Sunday but I was in a boat. We went bowfishing for carp...we couldn't locate any so we went fishing for bass....we got several largemouth in the backwaters on rattle traps.

I know my plans have changed. I'm fishing local and not going as far. I also don't buy anything new. I also avoid buying any more fishing stuff. I agree with some of the comments....for me to have a middle class life style, it takes my income and my wife's. We rarely go out to dinner and try to save money where we can. My wife is a teacher and in order for her to get to work she must take the express way and pay $5 per day in I-Pass fees because the local street is under construction. That's $40 a week that comes from our pocket...we're aren't reimbursed for this expense. That's over $1000.00 in cash (after taxes) for the year! She only makes $34,000. after taxes 34 thousand doesn't go very far...and don't forget union dues. Anyway, for people like us, $4 per gallon makes a difference. everything related to gas prices are increasing but our paychecks stay the same. the cost of living has increased but salaries and hourly wages have stayed the same. I plan on car pooling more this year. I maybe going to the Kank. R. this saturday...I will post a message if I'm going for sure to share the ride...I live in Naperville.

I know the work ISA does and the efforts put into projects cost money...here are two ideas that may or may not be effective: 1. Cans for conservation...the club can sponsor an aluminum can drive. The money earned would go right back into conservation projects. 2. Maybe host a Carp Tournament. $10.00 per person. A percentage of the money can go to the winner and the rest can go into a conservation project. Obviously the Blowout generates money but more ideas can provide funding throughout the year. What do you think? What are your ideas?

Here is a letter I sent to promote conservation efforts at the local level. If you have any comments I would appreciate your feedback. Maybe you have something to share or add. Dear Mayor, I’m not sure if you are aware of the budget cuts imposed this year for the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources. The IDNR was cut by 40%, because of this I’m writing to ask for your support. I simply would like Naperville to promote increased awareness towards pollution issues at the local level. I know the boy scouts take part in neighborhood clean-ups; however, I feel more can be done. (Personally, I try to clean up debris and trash when I go fishing…I always carry a garbage bag with me.) In recent years, there has been more effort to improve the water quality of the DuPage River. Perhaps Naperville can publish in the local paper “clean-up week” for neighborhoods. Maybe publicize clean-up events for the local Forest Preserves to increase awareness. Maybe publish more articles in the paper about what citizens can do to improve the environment by purchasing environmental friendly products. Maybe publish some articles about how polluted run-off water can affect the DuPage River. Maybe Naperville can send out fliers to homes located along the DuPage River on how to prevent erosion along the river bank, since siltation is an ongoing problem. Maybe local law enforcement can talk more to the public and to kids especially, about the effects of litter. Perhaps the city can meet with local law enforcement to instruct them to model for the public by picking up some trash now and then. The idea is to demonstrate positive efforts for the public and to promote awareness…not to promote police officers as garbage men. Also I think it’s important that the public takes better precautions on garbage days that are windy…often recyclable materials are blown away into yards and streets. This is also a concern of mine: there has been fish kills on the DuPage River on occasion, possibly by illegal dumping of chemicals or pollutants. The problem is difficult to locate because everything gets washed down stream. Naperville can show concern for their citizens by monitoring pollutants and oxygen levels of the DuPage River on a regular basis. Currently this has not been done in the past. But there are several drainage pipes which lead into the DuPage River that can be culprits of chemical pollutants. Maybe Naperville can also promote phone numbers for citizens such as local law enforcement; DuPage County District 2 Illinois state police; 1-847-931-2405 or the Forest Preserve Police 1-630-933-7240. I’m concerned about these issues mainly because I have seen improvements at the local level. I have had better experiences fishing in local areas. I just want to se the improvements continue. Anyway, I feel that more can be done and I hope Naperville can become increasingly involved with conservation efforts due to the decreased funding at the State level. I appreciate your time in reading this.

For me I joined ISA because of the work they do. The fishing is getting better because there are of a lot of people working hard to make it better. As I found my catch rate increase I felt like I need to get involved to keep things going in the right direction. ISA also provides you with a ton of information on a variety of topics. For fishing, it saves you a lot of time learning on your own...the hard way...members of ISA have great techniques and strategies for landing smallies. The outings are beneficial to teach you new water and locations. Also, for me, ISA keeps you up to date with vital knowlege to preserve our natural resources. I plan to be a member for a very long time. Jim

We all make a positive difference which is why we are all here. ISA's goals and achievements are respectable because of everyone involved. My point is, as a club we are doing everything we can, but the state of Illionois isn't doing everything they can at the government level of support. My hat goes off to all those who work so hard who are employed by the State. This whole discussion was to generate ideas from members on how to minimize poaching. Often it doesn't need much of our attention, however, here is a summary of things we can do... 1. Poaching may not be as serious of a threat but still posses problems. (safety of others, endangered species, ect.) 2. The ISA signs are important. 3. The yellow cards are important to keep handy and use. 4. Reporting violations seems safer than confronting violators yourself. However, asking someone how they did or what they caught couldn't hurt. Often people tell on themselves because of their excitment on what they caught. Using your best judgement is important. 5. Educating kids is important. 6. Getting to know your conservation officers and park employees is important. 7. Keeping up to date with rules and regulations. 8. Be aware that police officers can be helpful if it's necessary. 7. Lastly, getting on the water as much as you can to monitor areas when the CPO's can't is important. Feel free to add to the list if you think of something you'd like to add to the list. Thankyou to everyone who participated in this thread. Jim

If $26 million generated from outdoor enthusiasts, is only 10%, where else does DNR money come from? And if the state does give $223 million dollars to budget the DNR, that is a lot of money to fund conservation projects and environmental programs. With that kind of money....why are the same waters I grew up around still polluted (30 years plus)? Why is it that eating fish from Illinois waters is dangerous to your health? Why are invasive species taking over? Why is it people go out of state for quality fishing experiences? Why is it there are too few conservation officers? Why is there a 40% decrease in the DNR budget...after all, the Governor is supposed to be concerned about generating jobs, not eliminating them? Why are fish kills still found in our rivers? And more recently, why should people be worried about a mega dairy being built...shouldn't Illinois look out for the people? It's a joke when the people have to gang up on the government to prevent this from becoming an environmental problem. Maybe poaching isn't a serious threat...there are some good points presented to back this up. However, there are still too many unanswered questions, which shouldn't be questions at all. I became involved with ISA mainly because I have seen some improvement with my catch rate and better quality fish. I believe the improvement is from the work and efforts of small interest groups...not from Illinois environmental projects and efforts. Maybe my expectations of Illinois are too high. However, when the state's budget is $223 million, I shouldn't have to tell my kids they can't take their fish home to eat for dinner because they are unsafe to eat. I shouldn't have to tell them why they can't walk in the water because of health risks. I shouldn't have to tell them why they can't see anything in the water because of debris and pollution. I shouldn't have to worry about them cutting themselves with broken glass or getting injured by garbage found on shore. Is Illinois doing enough? Is Illinois truly concerned with conservation? My opinion is no! Cook county is a good example. Any one care to take a swim in the Des Plaines river with me? I'll let you go first. Oh, and don't worry if you see any dead fish...they are probably just salmon that died after spawning. Ok...I'll get off my soap box... Everyone has offered some good ideas. Norm, your comments were well recieved as well. Jim

Well I decided to email the Governor with my figures calculated along with the following... "...Illinois is wrong in taking money from the DNR which should go towards conservation and outdoor programs. The money came from outdoor revenues, therefore, it should go back into the outdoors. Some people say state parks should have a daily use fee. Many opponents to this idea point out that the money wouldn’t go where it belongs…I agree. You are not listening to the people of Illinois and doing whatever you want. You are no better than a dictator. The rivers I live near have been polluted since I was a kid. Guess what…30 years later, they are still polluted. It’s sad that my children are exposed to the same ignorance I grew up with. " I also sent a hard copy to the governor's office. I doubt I'll get a response but I'll share the results if I get one. Jim

I agree, more should be done for conservation, however, the state still has a pretty healthy income from outdoorsman to do a lot better than they've done. I looked up some figures from 2007...So instead of the 42 million...a rough estimate of what the state collects from outdoorsman follows: 701,000 fisherman X $13.50 per license = $9,463,500 295,000 Deer hunters (2007) Resident hunting licenses X $7.50 = $2,212,500 If each resident archer deer hunter buys just one deer tag (many buy multiple tags) 100,000 hunters at $26 each = $2,600,000 Plus 195,000 firearm deer hunters (at one tag per person) = $2,925,000 In 2007 there were 32,000 non-resident deer hunters X $50.75 per license = $1,624,000 If each non-resident deer hunter buys just one tag at $160 each = 32,000 X $160 = $5,120,000 327,000 total Deer hunters X $5.50 for a habitat stamp =$1,798,500 The Total = 25,743,500 This total is just a rough estimate of what the DNR takes in…this total is excluding turkey, small game, water fowl fees, salmon stamps, trout stamps, fur bearer stamps, and other miscellaneous license fees... So how does the state have no money to fund the DNR...26 million dollars isn't enough? Even if you look at the last 10 years with this estimate; that's $260,000,000! How much money does the state need to make sure our waters and woods are protected? I grew up in Illinois and I'm not too impressed with the State's efforts... So if the state's budget is cut 40%...40 percent of 26 million is 10.4 million dollars. Where does the 10 million go to? I think the 10 million should go towards conservation and outdoor programs, since the money came from outdoor revenues but I highly doubt that's where it's going. I think that even if more people kill fish accidently...that's something we don't have control over. However, poaching we do. It's important to control the variables that we can. We as a club are on the right track with our efforts. It seems the state has to step up to do their part.

I'm just throwing this out there because of one of the last topic threads led me to post this.... What can we do as a club to decrease poaching activity? This was in response to the 40% reduction in funding for the IDNR. I'm not exactly sure why their is a reduction. Generally if there were 2 million people in Illinois who purchased fishing licenses; at $13.50 per person...that equals $13,500,000. If you bought a combo hunting/fishing license and you add in hunting licenses for bow hunting $26.00 each, plus $15.00 for a gun deer tag(that's just one, I also get one for muzzleloader, and January for another $30), plus a trout stamp, plus a habitat stamp, plus a waterfowl stamp, the total is $84.82. Now if you have 500,000 people do the same as I do...that roughly 42,410,000. Add it all up and that equals 55,910,000. That's not including boat stickers, boat trailer plate renewals, out of state hunters and fisherman... You get the idea...My point is, where the heck does 55 million dollars go every year! Now if you look at the last 10 years and add that up...that's 559,100,000. Where the heck did almost 500 million dollars go? Surely CPO officers don't make 6 figures! I'm just estimating but it add up to a ton of money. Where did it go? How can the IDNR be underfunded? Ok, so I could be wrong...lets say Illinois is using the money responsibly (don't laugh...just saying maybe)... What can we do as a club to help out and prevent poaching. ISA is trying to improve habitat and conserve to improve outdoor opportunities... One member suggested a stiffer fine. Anther suggested a stiff fine and confiscate all equipment at the scene which can later be auctioned off to generate $. I suggest some of us get deputized by the IDNR...with the proper training, and given the right circumstances, we can issue fines and attend court dates as witnesses. We are the ones out there the most anyway...shouldn't we have some oversight on our land and waters. Sure we can report offenses...but just think if we had the authority to issue tickets! Power in numbers would make any poacher think twice. I also suggest Forest Preserve User Fees. I went to Georgia last year and they have a daily fee, or you can purchase a yearly fee for access to the parks. The daily fee I paid was 3 dollars. (This would include anyone using the bike trails, waterway, parking lot, ect. Anyone and everyone who uses the park.) After all, why should fishing and hunting fees be used to maintain forest perserves for the enjoyment from picnickers, bikers, and others? Shouldn't they have to pay too? Any other suggestions? Feel free to add on to the list.

I went to the DuPage River this a.m. just like I did last week to clean up some trash. I thought I would add some pics of the dam. For all you guys down river...this is eventually going to come your way... Is there anything that can be done to clean this up? Every year debris gets caught into the dam and is eventually flushed down stream.

I see the structure that was built but which way is it put in and what is it for? Erosion control or fish structure? Jim

Speaking of Conservation.... I have 2 things I'd like to say... One, I think it's time people who run for elected postions should be held responsible for their left over campaign posters! I have found more than my fair share clogging drainage systems. They also get blown into forest preserve areas. I would like to propose these officials are fined for every poster left and found after the day of an election. These people think it's ok to post them and leave them. Wrong! I think a $50 dollar bounty should be placed on each one paid at the expense of the official whose name is on the sign. The second thing I'd like to say is, now's the time to do the clean ups. I was at my are of the Dupe yesterday and picked up 15 bag fulls of trash...that was just in the parking lot area! I never made it to the river. Now's the time because much of the debris is visable...it's not occluded by foilage and the walking's easier. I like to also pick up litter near public areas...it shows people you care...and it teaches younger kids. When they see a person out there with a white bag, they can ask their parents "what's that guy doing?" The idea is to teach the next generation. I also have picked up right at the feet of other fisherman...I don't have to say anything to them...they get the idea. LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS!

Hi Mark, I didn't know you fished the Lemon". I have property I hunt in Mauston. On one trip I was fixing a deer stand and thought I'd try the Lemon. I had a huge smallie break me off. Lots of carp otherwise. I was just wondering if the fishing was good enough for a vacation. Thanks for the advice. Jim

With the advice already posted I think I would perfer fishing a river. Are there any good ones that are exceptional? I haven't been to Central Illinois...is there some good rivers down there? The black river was mentioned...does anyone know about the Lemonweir River in Mauston Wisconsin? Is the black river in wisconsin a good one? What about Michigan? Any rivers in Michigan come to mind? I appreciate all the advice. Jim

Hi everyone, My brother and I are planning a vacation together this year. We haven't decided if we want to go south to Lake Kincaid for Musky fishing or some place else for huge smallies. We plan to go in August. We are on a budget and would like to stay in Illinois if we can but we know there is better fishing out of state. We enjoy wade fishing and plan to camp. However, we also have a 16 foot aluminum as well. Do you have any recommendations for Illinois or Michigan waters? Wasn't there a canoe/Kayak only lake in the U.P. I heard other guys rave about it but I can't remember what it was called? Ideally Rainy lake would be awesome in Canada but that's not in our budget. I know many people fish the Lake of the Woods...how far is that? Does anyone know if Kincaid is a recreational lake...that is something we definately want to avoid. For a week of fishing we are definatley staying clear of these lakes. We hope to find action and decent size fish. Catch and release locations are most preferable. Jim

I learned recently that one in every one million cicada's have blue eyes. I thought this was pretty interesting...I haven't looked for any but if you do see if you can find one. Jim

Hi everyone, I thought I'd do some clean-up work on the Dupe so I got out early this morning. I walked the river...the area looked pretty clean... so I thought . I've been taking care of this area lately. Then I came across a 3 foot square area; 3 hours later...I managed to scoop out over 80 lbs of broken glass! Tricky and a little rough on the back. It started to get hot so I had to call it quits. If anyone is in the area I can use some help. I managed to collect a lot of the debris but I know there's more. Also, I didn't lug it out yet. There's no easy way to do this. My bags are full and started to rip...I filled up 2 bags and scooped the rest of the debris onto the bank which needs to be scooped up. I have a big tupperware bin I can use to scoop it all into. I can then push it and wade back to to an area for the forest preserve to pick it up. I think I'll get out there again in the a.m. tomorrow before it gets hot. I think this spot will be a nice hole once it's cleaned up...it's in the shade and threre's rain runoff that trickles into the hole which keeps the water cooler. I had no idea this small project would turn into something more. Jim

Hi Mike, the signs I picked up from Rich weren't like the ones posted above...it doesn't have "all smallies caught between April 1 and June 15 must be released. I also only got one white sign...are there more anywhere? Should I just use the signs I have? Jim

Greg, Congratulations on your encounter! It's not always easy to do but it needs to be done and you did the right thing. Keep up the great work! We all should look at your example and use it for inspiration. Jim

Wow! Thanks for info. I agree with what the club is doing...picking specific projects and concentrating on successful completing is a great strategy! I'm learning more and more about what ISA is all about. I'm happy to be a part of it! Jim

I don't know the opinions of others but it seems more needs to be done in Illinois regarding conservation. There are a lot of people who feel this way... Can we come together with other clubs and organizations to let the Governor's office know what our views are? I think if we can work together with other clubs and organizations it can make a difference...I know there are many who are frustrated, but this is one more thing we can do. If we are able to get together for clean-ups and events...we are able to do this as well. I know many have strong feelings about politics, however, I simply propose a common letter to urge the Governor to make conservation a priority. If we talk to other clubs and groups to do the same, we can make a more effective push towards improving conservation reform...I don't know how much of a difference it would make but it's still worth doing. Just like our freedom, we need to fight for conservation. If we are silent, we are ignored. Jim