Changes at Steelworkers Park, pier passes, ice: Mayor’s Fishing Advisory Comm.

Planned changes at Steelworkers Park lead this batch of notes from the Mayor’s Fishing Advisory Committee Meeting on Jan. 24, 2019.

It was the first committee meeting since November.

As usual, Tom Gray of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events chaired the meeting at the community room of 31st Street Harbor. Also as usual, I kind of put the notes in order or impact or importance.

* Carl Vizzone, who runs the fishing programs for the Chicago Park District, said changes are coming at Steelworkers Park. After destructive driving by those illegally driving over natural areas and through prohibited areas, there will be new fences and barricades. There will be a locked gate for park staff. Work should be completed when the weather becomes more sensible.

* Ben Alden, operations manager for Westrec Marinas, noted that we are starting to see ice in the harbors. He asked that if anyone sees damage to the docks from ice that they contact Vizzone, by calling (312) 859-2395.

He said that “The Commissioner,” the park district’s ice-breaking tug, only operates on the south end of Burnham Harbor.

* Hall of Famer Don Dubin reminded all that the IDNR is having an informational meeting at the Des Plaines office on Feb 20.

* Vic Santucci, the IDNR’s Lake Michigan Program manager, could not make the meeting and sent that note and others in an earlier email:

* Steve Silic, fisheries biologist for the Forest Preserves of Cook County, said, “Things are looking fine for 2019.” The biggest news from him was that they will add some lakes to the fall trout fishing.

Last year, they stocked more 620,000 fish of seven species. There will be increased muskie stocking at Busse South.

He passed out the new, very cool, fishing guide. which includes more accessibility features and locations as well as the new size limit on muskie (upped to 42 inches). It was distributed at “The Schaumburg Show” and will also be at the FPCC booth at the Tinley Park Fishing Show on Feb. 9-10. Otherwise, you can find the free guides at nature centers and park offices.

Silic also noted that the fishing page on the FPCC web site–click here for the fishing page–includes a lot of field collection data made readable for the public. He’s right there is a wealth of information there.

I asked if they were revisiting the possibility of trying one lake for early fly fishing during the trout seasons. He said not, which I understand.

But he added, “We have seen a great increase in fly fishing, some of it because of Tenkara. Fly fishing is catching on in Cook County. It’s nice to see. We have lots of open shoreline.”

* In other Chicago Park District notes, Vizzone said a record number of pier passes have been sold already, somewhere around 500 so far. He said they have started booking parks for the year in fishing ahead and already have 4,000 kids booked.

“I’m excited I got a budget,” Vizzone said. “We’re bumping up to 12 instructors and a coordinator. I lost two instructors to other jobs, so I will need at least four instructors.”

Instructors must live in Chicago. When the jobs post, I will pass along the notices.

Vizzone said the park district is working on an updated fishing guide for Chicago, which hasn’t been done since 2008. When completed, it will include such things as launches and fishing regulations. But he warned because of the work remaining to get it updated, it might not be ready for distribution until 2020.

Vizzone asked if anyone knew if the group licenses would be brought back by the new administration. He was strongly urged to speak directly to the IDNR’s new fisheries chief, Mike McClelland.

Vizzone said the inability to get a group license hurt their overall numbers last year, not just the adult numbers, but overall numbers. That is especially true at the programs on the Riverwalk.

“It is hurting our numbers,” Vizzone said.

* The IDNR’s Urban Fishing Program coordinator Brenda McKinney said that the same amount of fish should be stocked in the Chicago lagoons this year. She expects to have the same instructor and coordinator in place by April. She said they are “totally filled” for fishing through the end of school in June and the environment classes are going well. The issues of a bureaucratic nightmare of fingerprinting with the schools has been solved.

* Chester Kropidlowski could not attend the meeting, but sent this update:

* In other tidbits, Ken Schneider was remarkably quiet; formal meeting notes for September, October and November are being finalized (or find my take on those meetings at the online outdoors page of the Sun-Times); meetings are generally held the third Thursday monthly from September to May.