Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
DALE’S MAILBAG
“Can’t believe I caught this [tilapia] on the [Sanitary and Ship Canal near First Avenue]. Aren’t these tropical fish from Florida?” Eddie Reyes
A: Tilapia, a tropical fish native to Africa, were introduced into Florida more than half a century ago. There’s been sporadic catches of tilapia (among other non-natives) in the Chicago Area Waterway System. Most are suspected to be pet releases (don’t do that, it’s illegal and stupid), but tilapia have also been farmed in Chicago. There was a spurt of tilapia catches seven years on the Chicago River downtown.
BUCK OF THE WEEK: UNPLUGGED
Roy Wick spotted this buck chasing does around Tinley Park, “He stopped for a rest and I drove right up on him.” Fair warning for hunters and vehicle drivers alike, we’re in the heart of the rut.
BOTW Unplugged, the celebration of live big bucks around Chicago outdoors, runs as apt in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside), or Bluesky (@@BowmanOutside).
WILD TIMES
FISH GATHERINGS
Tuesday, Nov. 14: Chas Martin of Musky Mastery Guide Service in northern Wisconsin, Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies, Inc., North Branch Pizza & Burger Co., Glenview, 7:30 p.m., chicagolandmuskiehunters.org/meetingschedule.asp
Tuesday, Nov. 14: Top three boats, Salmon Unlimited, Thornwood Restaurant & Lounge, Wood Dale, 7 p.m., salmonunlimitedinc.com
Wednesday, Nov. 15: Matt Schultz on Ned rigs for bass, South Side Muskie Hawks, The Sock Bar and Grill, Hickory Hills, Chicago, 7 p.m., southsidemuskiehawks.org
Thursday, Nov. 16: Jim “The Crappie Professor” Kopjo, “Fall and Early Ice: fishing tips and techniques,” Fish Tales Fishing Club, Worth Township offices, Alsip, 7 p.m., fishtalesfishingclub.com
TOUR
Next weekend, Nov. 18 and 19: Tours of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Urban Stream Research Center, Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville. Tours, $5, every 30 minutes, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 19, register online or at 630-933-7248.
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Sunday, Nov. 12: Second Canada goose season, central zone, opens
Tuesday, Nov. 14: First dove season ends
Friday, Nov. 17: Rail (sora and Virginia only) season ends
Friday, Nov. 17,-Nov. 19: First season, firearm deer season
