The most comprehensive books ever assembled for understanding the ecology of Illinois' Natural Resources are available to each and every one of us by sending one simple email! The Dept. of Natural Resources provides these through a project called the Critical Trends Assessment Program, with the manuals serving as inventories of the resources encompassing many regions and watersheds throughout the state.
A list of the areas covered is listed below. You should find your favorite fishing hole covered, without a doubt.Most of the following watershed assessments consist of a four-volume report covering the area's geology, water resources, living resources, socio-economic profile, and environmental quality. Most include a color summary report, and several also provide a historical account of the area's ecology:Big Muddy RiverCache RiverCalumet AreaChicago River/Lake Shore (11 mb acrobat)Driftless AreaDuPage RiverEmbarras RiverFox RiverHeadwatersIllinois Big RiversIllinois River BluffsKankakee RiverKaskaskia RiverKinkaid AreaKishwaukee RiverLaMoine RiverLower Des PlainesLower Rock RiverLower Sangamon RiverMackinaw RiverPrairie ParklandsSinkhole PlainSpoon RiverSugar-Pecatonica RiversThorn CreekUpper Des Plaines RiverUpper Rock RiverUpper Sangamon RiverVermilion (Wabash River basin)Vermilion River (Illinois River Basin)One of the most fascinating aspects of these manuals is that they allow us to compare the forage of various watersheds, and recognize the stark differences from one region to the next. By utilizing the internet, we are able to apply this knowledge to our fishing experiences by simply comparing images of various types of forage and using baits that match this natural prey accordingly.For instance, the predominant type of crayfish in one watershed is not necessarily the same as another, due to differences in bottom contents of the stream, for example a hard substrate versus a soft one.I have illustrated some of these differences and comparisons on the HeartlandOutdoorsman.Com website in a topic named "Know Your Forage"- .take a look, and you'll see more clearly how this works.What I found most interesting about some of these manuals is the historical accounts of the various rivers and streams. Diaries of early explorers are portrayed in detail, and we realize just how difficult it was for our forefathers to live during that time period, knowing that if they were not stewards of the land around them they would have a very tough time of it in the long run.As for statistics and charts, there are more then you could ever ask for if you were to prepare a paper or make comparisons for the purpose of a conservation project. Surely some of the best case studies to be found anywhere.For those interested in the geological composition of our state, the descriptions and technical explanations will more than likely satisfy your interest quite capably as well.Shaded Relief and Land Cover maps round out a comprehensive set that any serious angler should not be without.I sent a request for just a couple of watersheds initially, and quickly realized I needed to have all of them- so save yourself some time by just sending one Email and request all of them at once. Remember, they are paid for with Conservation 2000 money, so they are yours to enjoy, free of charge!Conservation 2000 is the culmination of recommendations from CTAP, the Illinois Conservation Congress, and Former Governor Edgar's Water Resources and Land Use Priorities Task Force.The CTAP recommendations came out of its 1994 report on the state of the Illinois environment.CTAP investigators inventoried and analyzed existing environmental, ecological, and economic data to establish baseline conditions from which future changes in ecological conditions might be measured.Good luck, and be sure to let us know on the website when you get these, how you are utilizing them and how you like them.I'm willing to bet that you'll be wondering why you hadn't ordered them sooner!The CTAP manuals described here can be ordered by following the URL listed below:http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/assessments/OR, by sending an Email to the following address:clearing@dnrmail.state.il.usUntil next time, I'll leave you with this:"No one person has to do it all but if each one of us follow our heart and our own inclinations we will find the small things that we can do to create a sustainable future and a healthy environment". - John Denver
