Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park

The Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park is a massive state park located along the shore of Lake Michigan.  This six and a half mile long stretch of shoreline offers multiple opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast including boating, biking, camping, cross country skiing, fishing, geocaching, hiking, nature observation, picnicking, scuba diving and swimming.  This 4,160 acre park has room for everyone to roam.

• Boating - The North Point Marina located just five miles to the north of the Illinois Beach State Park is a full service marina with 1500 boat slips as well as a multiple boat launch ramp.  For more information on the North Point Marina check out http://npmonline.com/.
• Biking - There are a few miles of multi-use trails in this state park as well as The Zion Bike Trail which connects the north and south portions of the Illinois Beach State Park.
• Camping - There are 241 campsites in the Illinois Beach State Park of which approximately 200 are available on a first come first served basis. 
• Cross Country Skiing - Cross country skiing is permitted on the multi-use trails when the weather permits.
• Fishing - Fishing is permitted with the proper permits along the beach area on both the north and south sections of the park.  There are also some ponds one of which is stocked with rainbow trout.  Fishing is prohibited within the swimming beach area as well as the nature preserve.
• Geocaching - Although no information is listed for this activity, it is listed on the Illinois Beach State Park website as an available activity.
• Hiking - Miles of multi-use trails offer abundant opportunities for hikers.
• Nature Observation - With over 4,000 acres you are sure to spot all types of marine wildlife on your adventures at this Illinois State Park.
• Picnicking - There are multiple picnic areas in both the north and south portions of this state park.
• Scuba Diving - Another of the many available activities at the Illinois Beach State Park is Scuba Diving.
• Swimming - The swimming area can be accessed from both sections of the state park and offers plenty of parking for everyone.

If you are looking for a place that will allow you to enjoy all that Lake Michigan has to offer, the Illinois Beach State Park just might be the place for you!

If you like this post, you may also enjoy Beaver Dam State Park In Illinois.

-Any day in the outdoors is a good day

Fishing Journal Entry 16 - James A Reed - Coot Lake

7/29/2016

After what felt like an extremely long week at work I was able to sneak away for a few relaxing hours of fishing with my dad at James A Reed Memorial Wildlife Area located in west-central Missouri.  

Today's Weather Stats

The weather for today was very pleasant as you can see from the snapshot above.  I may begin adding the weather details for the fishing and hunting journal entries this way as it is a very simple way to record and share all of the important data that I usually include in these posts.

Dad looking impressed with a small bluegill

This little bullhead was one of three bullheads caught during our outing.

One tiny bullhead

This channel catfish was the biggest of the day measuring about seventeen inches long.  He was released unharmed at the end of the evening.

Decent little channel catfish

This little bass was hungry as anything you've ever seen and did its best to put up a good fight.

A little bass

In all we caught only six fish, but we still had a great time relaxing while waiting on the fish to bite.

- Any day in the outdoors is a good day