Trout opener, turkeys, “Oceans,” Midewin, smelt, seminar: WWW Chicago outdoors

Robins by the dozens hopped and slow-flew around lawns besotten with cold rain and snow this morning. It’s been that way, besotten and cold, for too many Wild Weekend Wanderings around Chicago outdoors in a row this spring.

Considering the unrelenting cold, I’ve been surprised to hear from a couple turkey hunters that the birds have been actively gobbling any way. And that cold will make a tougher than usual opener Saturday for inland trout, at least for those who make it a family event.

It’s been a very odd start to April. And it looks like it will keep going that way at least into next weekend.

As for myself, I had a blast this week on the Mississippi River collecting brood-stock walleye. That will be Sunday’s column.

I still have not gotten out in an evening to try to see the sky dance of mating/love by woodcocks. Considering the cold weather, maybe I still have time.

Speaking of time, my weekend is focused on family, running around for our daughter’s part in a theater production. But today I will sneak in some outdoors stuff between running her around for one production and other family pick-ups and drop-offs.

With that, on to the regular stuff of this Wild Weekend Wandering around Chicago outdoors.

INLAND TROUT: Illinois’ inland trout season opens Saturday. I am curious how much impact the unusual cold will have on effort, especially for families. Click here for the statewide release.

Daily bag is five. The other general regulations are that “anglers will need both a fishing license and an Inland Trout Stamp to participate, unless they are under the age of 16, blind, disabled, or are an Illinois resident on leave from active duty in the Armed Forces.”

Here are the northeast Illinois sites:

SPRING FISHING SEMINAR: There’s a new gathering for a Spring Fishing Seminar fundraiser for veteran medical programs at the Joshua W. Harris Memorial VFW Post in Brookfield. It begins at 9 a.m. Presenters include some of the best from around local waters in Capt. Bob Bachler, Capt. Pat Harrison and Jim “Crappie Professor’’ Kopjo. It is $15. For more information, call (708) 485-9670.

MORELS: OK, I include this mainly as a warming device and because it interests me. Talking with Jeff Norris yesterday, he mentioned plans to head south for some camping and morel hunting. He also gave me another site to check for morel reports at thegreatmorel.com; click here for sightings there.

Overall, I find the reports best for Illinois on the Facebook page for Illinois Morel Mushrooms, where the update for the Wednesday map included this nugget:

I think that is called making the best of the situation.

TURKEY HUNTING:The second statewide youth turkey hunt is this weekend. I was really surprised by the hunter, recounting his hunt with a youth last weekend about all the turkeys gobbling. Cold or not, you got to do what you got to do when the time is right. The first season in the south zone opens Monday; the first in the north is April 16.

Normally this time of spring, I refresh my turkey photos. Have not been able to do that so far.

MIDEWIN: The Ranger Trailer opens for the season this weekend, weather permitting, at the Iron Bridge Trailhead at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. The seasonal guided hikes begin on May 6.

Both are something I highly recommend for individuals, families or groups. If you spot bison, it only heightens the visit.

Throughout the season, you can talk to volunteer rangers at the Ranger Trailer from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. During April, check updates–at www.facebook.com/Midewin or on Twitter at @MidewinNatTPon–on whether, depending on weather, the Ranger Trailer will be operating.

Trails are open daily, 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Come out and explore. #ItsAllYours! For the full list of 2018 programs, activities and events at Midewin, see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd535052.pdf.

OCEAN FILM, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY:BBC Earth and OceanX Media’s Giant Screen film “Oceans: Our Blue Plant” is at the Museum of Science and Industry’s giant screen theater.

Here are some details:

SMELT NETTING

Smelt netting is underway. As expected from poor prospects, reports and effort have been slim to none. Here are the general notes and regulations for smelt netting in Chicago, which are the same as last year, from the Chicago Park District’s Carl Vizzone:

I would emphasize that last one, the regulation is to be out of the parks by 1 a.m.

RIVER FISHING:Water remains very cold and, in general, the spawning cycle is behind schedule, as I saw again this week on the Mississippi where the water had dropped to near 40. But from fishermen reports, at least some of the big walleye are going in our nearby rivers.

And, especially in late afternoon when the water warms slightly, there’s been some smallmouth action, too.

COOLING LAKES:Once again, winds have made a tough go of it for boaters, especially, at the cooling lakes of Braidwood and LaSalle. But, otherwise, the bass bite at Braidwood generally continues good as bass tournaments start and LaSalle continues producing blues of note. Haven’t heard much on Heidecke. All three are open 6 a.m. to sunset.

LAKEFRONT:Weather has limited effort some, but there’s coho and browns to be caught, even by casters around the Chicago lakefront. And a few smallmouth bass, too.