Illinois fishing tournament registration available online

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Registration for fishing tournaments in Illinois has gone online.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it's now using an online application system for fishing clubs and tournament organizers to apply for permits. The state agency says angling groups have applied for more than 2,100 tournament permits to date. The agency also is using its website to provide up-to-date tournament schedule. It's online at www.ifishillinois.org .

Tournament organizers also will use on the website to register fish harvest data from tournaments. IDNR says that will help fisheries management efforts statewide.

The website is available for anyone who is interested in tournament fishing in Illinois. The agency says fishermen can click on the map on the site to find a list of approved and pending tournaments for different bodies of water.