Chicago outdoors: Great egret on the DuPage and dreaming of late-season muskie on Heidecke
Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Paul Vriend photographed this great egret flying out of a dark bend in the DuPage River.
WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Sunday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).
DALE'S MAILBAG
"I sure wish they would have Heidecke Lake open later in the fall. It would produce some big musky. Can't fish during the prime period is frustrating, have to go to Wisconsin." Seth Schoonover
A: Heidecke would be a fall-fishing mecca if left open later for fishing. But it closes 10 days before the start of the north zone duck season. It closed Tuesday, Oct. 8, this year.
WILD TIMES
FISH GATHERINGS
Tuesday, Oct. 15: Writer Mike Pehanich, "Late Fall Vibrations - Lipless Crankbaits & Blade Baits," Arlington Anglers, Poplar Creek Banquets, Hoffman Estates, 6:30 p.m., arlingtonanglers.com
Wednesday, Oct. 16: Multi-species guide Capt. Chris Taurisano, Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies, Inc., Schaumburg Golf Club, 7 p.m.https://www.facebook.com/groups/281138376820
Wednesday, Oct. 16: Mark Kubal, "Fishing Lake Michigan," South Side Muskie Hawks, Village Sportsmen's Club, Alsip, 7 p.m., southsidemuskiehawks.org
Thursday, Oct. 17: All Seasons Marine owner Harry Volpika, "Winterizing your boat," Fish Tales Fishing Club, Worth Township offices, Alsip, 7 p.m., fishtalesfishingclub.com
TOURNAMENT
Saturday, Oct. 19: The 5th Annual Lady of the Lake Muskie Tournament, https://chicagolandmuskiehunters.org/tournament.asp, Register on the FishDonkey app, https://www.fishdonkey.com/app.
WINGSHOOTING
Nov. 9: Youth clinic & youth pheasant hunt, Iroquois SWA, Beaverville, (815) 933-1383
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Monday, Oct. 14: Final day, youth deer hunt
Tuesday, Oct. 15: Leftover Deer Firearm & Muzzleloader Permits Available OTC
Saturday, Oct. 19: Fall trout season opens:
Saturday, Oct. 19: Duck and Canada goose season, north zone, opens
Saturday-next Sunday, Oct. 19-20: Youth waterfowl hunt, central zone
Saturday, Oct. 19: Fall shotgun turkey season opens