Granberg new director at Illinois DNR

Just so you can keep tabs on the never-ending saga with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the appointment of former state representative Kurt Granberg as director has some worried about another downward slide of the agency.

The question is whether Granberg, who was appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, is the right person for the DNR's top spot.

Questions have been raised about the qualifications of this 55-year-old from Carlyle. The tenure of the governor's previous director, Joel Brunsvold, was cut short when he resigned, citing a need for more family time.

Granberg, like Brunsvold, may have scored well in the state house, but both men lack the science background needed to administer the agency.

Just the ticket: It's show time again today at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

The Chicagoland Outdoors Show is in its second day. Two exhibitors reported that there appears an increase in the number of exhibitors on hand for the public.

Fishing report

Fox Chain: The best crappie action is once again on the north end of Channel Lake. Some bigger bluegills are in the same spots as the crappie. Walleye activity on Petite Lake has picked up again with a night bite providing good action in 10 feet of water. Pistakee Lake continues to be a hot spot for good channel catfish.

Lake Michigan: There's fair perch action at Montrose. The Brown trout is slowly picking up at Waukegan on spawn and minnows.

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