This vote stays with traditional fish fare
Apparently there are a number of you out there who would relish a dinner of Asian carp.
I was asked if I had eaten that species, since I neglected to include that little tidbit in my recent carp column.
My answer is yes, twice in fact, and the chef had some fairly elegant credentials. My choice would be to have perch, lake trout, salmon or northern pike.
But knock your socks off with my approval if you’re an Asian carp devotee.
Controlled Pheasant Permits: Hunters can still apply for 2011-12 Illinois controlled pheasant hunting permits. Permits are available for use at 19 IDNR sites, 15 of which are operated by the IDNR, while four sites are managed by concessionaire T. Miller, Inc. For application information, check the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov or www.tmillerinc.com.Sportsman#146;s Raffle: Tickets are still available for the 2011 Illinois Conservation Foundation Sportsman#146;s Raffle with a $100,000 first-place prize. Tickets for the raffle are $100 each. The grand prize of $100,000 will be presented at a drawing in Sangamon County on Dec. 1. Proceeds from the raffle will support youth conservation education and outdoor recreation programs at the ICF#146;s Torstenson Family Youth Conservation Education Center. Raffle tickets are $100 each and are available online at www.ilcf.org and by mail at Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. The raffle is being conducted in accordance with the Raffles Act. All business operations of the raffle take place exclusively in Sangamon County.On the fishing front:Officials are getting ready to lower the levels on the Fox Chain, otherwise known as the winter draw down. The average water release will result in an average lowering of around 4 feet.Fox Chain: Walleye action decent on Petite and Fox Lakes. Look in any current area and you may find fish. Petite and Channel Lakes should be good for evening crappie.Fox River: Improved channel catfishing near Geneva.Bangs Lake: Good bass and bluegill activity on the far east side. Lake Michigan, North end: Trout and king salmon good right now. Some boats working deep water out of Waukegan. Ÿ Mike Jackson can be reached via e-mail at angler88@comcast.net. You can catch his radio program live-streamed on the Internet at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com, and it airs 6-7 a.m. Sunday on WSBC 1240-AM.