This project provides for the completion of fish population surveys and inventories, annual fish population monitoring, sport fish management investigations(including harvest and stocking…

This project provides for the completion of fish population surveys and inventories, annual fish population monitoring, sport fish management investigations(including harvest and stocking evaluations), habitat enhancement and chemical contaminant assessments on the rivers, reservoirs, and inland waters of illinois. These surveys and inventories of illinois lakes and river basins provide science-based fisheries data used to inform and support resource management decisions and practices. This project addresses specific needs identified in the division of fisheries rivers and inland waters surveys and inventories portion of the strategic plan for the conservation of illinois fisheries resources (illinois department of natural resources). The data collection and fisheries management activities included in this project are necessary to provide quality angling opportunities for the public. Specifically, these activities maintain the supply of sport fish and sustain fish populations in illinois big rivers, reservoirs, and inland waters that include 1,340 rivers and creeks having sufficient flow to provide a sport fishery (approximately 281,800 acres) and 1,300 managed state and public impoundments, including three large U.S. Army corps reservoirs (176,000 acres). This project also provides for technical guidance and assistance to state and federal agencies, municipalities and landowners regarding fisheries management, habitat protection, habitat and water quality enhancement measures and river basin restorations.