Fed funds for fish, wildlife projects at risk

Here's an uncomfortable fact of life:

If Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's request for a "stay of execution" regarding the possibility of losing a massive amount of federal funds goes by the boards, Illinois can very well kiss about $16 million farewell.

The money was supposed to come to state coffers for fish and wildlife projects.

But because the state needed to close some state parks and also raid dedicated state wildlife stamp funds, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service suffered a severe case of bureaucratic heartburn.

As it stands now, even with the pleading from Quinn, USFWS officials are unwilling to honor his request for the time being.

Fishing report

Fox Chain: It's a repeat performance on the north end of Channel Lake, with excellent bluegill fishing going on now. The midafternoon and early-evening walleye bite is a thing of wonder on Lake Marie. Decent catches have been reported from 10-foot depths. Both yellow bass and white bass are plentiful in the 8-12-foot range on Petite Lake.

Bangs Lake: Fair walleye action has been reported during late-evening hours in the 20-foot range. Crappie activity is decent on the northwest sections. Check out the W-O-W (Walk On Water) ice tournament on Bangs starting at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Lake Michigan: Montrose Harbor is still a good spot for catching perch through the ice. Check Burnham Harbor as well. Local angler Ted Collins reports excellent brown and rainbow fishing through the ice in Wisconsin, especially near Racine.

• Mike Jackson's radio program can be heard at 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.