Illinois is definitely not known for its excellent walleye fishing. Most anglers that live in Illinois will plan their fishing trip to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Canada or Lake Erie when they want to fill their coolers with walleye. There are some places that you can consistently catch walleye and sauger and if you are within a short drive to these waters, you can catch some nice fish for the dinner table.

When most people think of walleye, they typically think of fishing lakes and rivers farther to the north, but in Illinois, it seems like some of the best walleye waters are to the south. Some of the lakes in the southern part of the state that have plenty of walleye in them are Lake Carlton, Clinton Lake, Kinkaid Lake and Evergreen Lake. Head out to the western Illinois area and you will find Pittsfield City Lake, which is probably the best walleye lake in the state for big fish.

Once you head up north, there are a few lakes to focus on to go along with a few rivers. Lake Shabbona is located a couple of hours west of Chicago and it is mostly known for its state record muskies. People would talk more about the walleye fishing if you were allowed to fish after dark on this lake. There are plenty of walleye in the lake with many trophy-sized fish, but the extremely heavy fishing pressure here makes it difficult to land more than a couple of fish per outing and some anglers that fish out here never catch a walleye. It’s a tough lake to fish, but there are plenty of walleye in Lake Shabbona. Your best bet is to fish mid-week during low light conditions.

The Fox Chain of Lakes is a popular boating and fishing destination. The walleye fishing can very good here in the spring and fall. Summers can be tough because the pleasure boaters are all over the lake and they seem to get up earlier and earlier every summer. It is not uncommon to see someone on a jet ski at 8 in the morning during the summer. There are plenty of lakes to fish in this chain and many of them produce healthy populations of keeper-size walleye.

Another lake up north worth mentioning is Pierce Lake, which is located in the Rockford area. This lake is stocked regularly making it a good lake to catch some walleye.

As far as the rivers go, experienced anglers can catch walleye consistently in the Fox river and Kankakee river, but they don’t even compare to the walleye and sauger fishing in the Illinois river. Fishing tournaments get going in the early spring and many tournament boats catch their limit on the Illinois river. There are lots of fish in the 3 to 5 pound range on the Illinois river and if you want to get in on the action, head out the Starved Rock State Park.

For more information on the lakes listed above to go along with some of the other places to fish in Illinois, take a look at our Illinois fishing page.

How wonderful is it when a family member or friend moves abroad for a job opportunity? Suddenly, questions of where to go for the next holiday are solved and that exotic destination becomes much more affordable (as you “live like a local”). Well I’ve been living in Kenya for nearly seven years and my parents finally took advantage of the situation just last year. Freda, on the other hand, is currently doing a four-week residency at a hospital north of Nairobi and her mother, sister and brother-in-law made the trek from the USA last week to visit her and experience Kenya.

But it wasn’t Freda who organized the day trip; her sister, Novem, connected with us. We planned a wonderful day of walking safaris and a boat ride – perfect activities for perfect Kenyan weather. However it was November, when Kenya has less than perfect weather, and it became prudent to plan a rainy day alternative. It would also be an interesting and entertaining day, but with activities that would be bearable in a drizzle (but not a storm!). Kenya is definitely a fair weather destination!

We agreed to decide which itinerary to go with when we met on the day and would inspect the clouds together. The forecast said there was a 100% chance of rain in Naivasha, but our local guide on the lake shore assured us the sky was clear. So we took the chance and headed to the lake.

Hells Gate National Park

The first stop was Hells Gate National Park. The group opted to walk instead of embarking on the more popular cycling adventure. On foot or on a bike, Hells Gate has some spectacular scenery and rock formations to marvel at. And animals of course – they saw waterbuck, elands, zebras, buffalos, a secretary bird, impala, Thomson’s gazelle and so many warthogs.

After the early start and the hike, they were definitely ready for lunch which we enjoyed at a traditional restaurant in one of the lakeside villages. The chef had prepared a selection of dishes so they could try a bit of everything. We had beef stew, chicken, fish from the lake (Tilapia), rice, chapattis, ugali, zikuma wiki, and kachambari.

After the feast it was time to walk again. This time we drove around the lake to Wileli Conservancy where there are a lot more animals than in Hells Gate. There are not many predators in the Naivasha area, and so the herbivores can graze in relative peace and humans can mingle with them… to an extent. As well as zebras, elands and impalas (which were getting boring now) the family saw giraffes. It is so impressive getting close to giraffes when you are on foot. You can see exactly how tall they are, but so gentle and graceful.

As we drive to and from Wileli Conservancy, we pass through a wildlife corridor, which must be my favourite kilometre of road in the whole of East Africa. And this day was especially amazing! We saw a lot of animals as we passed by: giraffes, impalas, elands, zebras and warthogs. And the awesome thing was they were all grazing together in a Garden of Eden-style setting. Usually you see groups of like animals together; it is less common to see many species all together.

The grand finale of the day was a boat trip on Lake Oloiden. This little lake is adjacent to Lake Naivasha with a 5 metre inlet/outlet separating the two. The fun fact about these lakes is that Naivasha is fresh while Oloiden is salty. This is the boat ride you take if you want to see hippos, which they certainly did.

Novem, Chris, Freda and Lek, it was wonderful to spend the day with you. And a few days later in Nairobi National Park. We hope to see you again… for a longer safari next time!

Lake Malawi is one of African Great Lakes and the third largest in Africa. It’s the eighth largest lake in the world and it’s located in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. It’s the second deepest lake in Africa and it’s a habitat for more aquatic life like fishes than any other water body on the earth. In most countries it’s referred to as Lake Nyasa or Lake Niassa especially in Mozambique. The lake also has its basis from the Great Rift Valley where most African water bodies in Africa draw their source.

Lake Malawi is a fresh water lake and has a total surface area of around 29, 600 square kilometers or 11, 429 square miles. It’s around 680 kilometers long and 75 kilometers wide. The best part to experience the lake shorelines are southern Tanzania, eastern Malawi and western Mozambique. One of the biggest and famous rivers flowing into the lake includes River Ruhuhu. This lake has an outlet known as Shite River which is a tributary to one of the largest rivers in Africa, River Zambezi.

Lake Malawi is a source of income to many residents in the continent of Africa. A lot of fishing occurs here. The lake is rich in fish species like Chambo and Kampango, a large catfish. Most of the fish in Malawi is exported. Transport throughout the lake is provided for by steamboats or by air for those who fear traveling in deep waters. One can also use the steam ships like MV 1lala that transports passengers across Monkey Bay and at the southern end of the lake to Karonga on the northern and sometimes to a region of Tanzania known as Iringa.

Lake Manyara National Park is an alkaline water lake situated in the northern part of Tanzania, about one and a half hours from Arusha town along the newly tarmac surfaced road. The park is located on the way to the Ngorongoro crater and the Serengeti. This park covers an area of 330 kilometers square of which up to 200 kilometers square is the lake. This park was established in 1960 to conserve the elephant population. Being one of the smallest park in Tanzania, it boasts an incredible diversity of terrain, wild animals and plants.

The park is also renowned for the tree climbing lions. There are only two lion populations in the world that climb and one of the population is located in the Lake Manyara park. Many visitors tour this area to witness the lions as they climb the Acacia and Fig trees; probably to escape the heat from the sun. This cats spend most of the day sleeping on the trees. Other animals commonly seen here include the buffalo, cheetah, Impala, olive baboons, monkeys and giraffe.

Lake Manyara is a home to thousands of pink flamingo birds. As you watch the flamingo birds, you will also see many crocodiles and hippo. Other birds found in this lake include the storks and cormorants. This park is a perfect destination for watching different bird species. Over 400 different types of birds have been recorded in this park. The combination of the large mammals, birds, reptiles and a variety of vegetation makes the park a memorable place to visit.

There is only one lodge located on a hill within the remote corner of the park, from where you can have a clear view of the animals. Designed to reflect the brilliance of Lake Manyara, this luxurious lodge is built with spacious bedrooms, sitting rooms, wide open decks and large window areas. All sitting rooms have comfortable cosy sofas which provide enough warmth to the guests. There is a private room where you can have a luxurious massage. There is also a wonderful swimming pool where you can relax after a hot day of adventure. The food is also delicious to suit your taste.

Game viewing is best during the dry season (July to October). During this period, your visitors are guaranteed to see many large mammal species. For bird watching, waterfalls and canoeing, November to June is the best time. Night drive is allowed in the park but only when accompanied by your guide. You can get to this park either by road or have scheduled a flight from Arusha.

Fluridone has been around for many years and has held the title as being the best herbicide product on the market to eradicate watermeal and duckweed in countless ponds and lakes across around the world. Fluridone is a systemic type herbicide, meaning, it has to stay in the water for a fairly prolonged period of time while the plants ‘drink’ the chemical which leads to eradication. This process can take up to 90 days and in some situations, heavy runoff can displace large amounts of pond water causing the concentration of fluridone to diminish.

As fluridone is very expensive, watching your treated water leave your lake or pond during or after a heavy rain can be very disheartening. Others need rapid eradication so that their pond looks ‘just right’ for an upcoming event or gathering. Since no two ponds are identical, trying to ‘guess’ when the effects of fluridone will kick in can be a gamble. Clipper is known as a ‘contact’ herbicide. Contact herbicides generally work much faster than systemic herbicides such as fluridone.

Clipper herbicide sually yields a complete kill within 7 to 14 days and is applied in almost the same identical way as fluridone. Once the surface of your lake or pond is sprayed, duckweed and watermeal begin to disappear rapidly. Most surface growth completely dies off within 14 days. While both products have their advantages, Clipper can handle flowing water situations much better than liquid fluridone treatments. Liquid fluridone is normally not recommended in waters where there is movement or fair outflow. On the other hand, Clipper is fast acting, kills quickly and is not affected by situations where flow might otherwise inhibit a fluridone treatment.

“Before Clipper our only options were slow acting Fluridone and a few knock-down killers that didn’t last long. We now manage growth way faster than before and the control lasts! Less follow up equals less chem’s going into the water and that keeps costs down for the client. A win-win for everyone.” said Jerry “Skitter” Whitman, aquatic specialist – Whitman Remediation, Inc.

As a new and innovative treatment for ponds and lakes, Clipper herbicide users can normally expect year-long control with only one or two treatments. Also, when killing watermeal, a heavier dose of fluridone is normally needed as watermeal is much harder to eliminate that duckweed. Clipper on the other hand is a ‘one size fits all’ type of contact killer. Whether you are going after duckweed or watermeal, Clipper is applied at the same rate regardless of weed type.

While Fluridone generally holds the lead for providing longer term control, Clipper offer a kill speed unmatched and although some growth may require a second treatment, it is the choice for those who want infestation eradicated swiftly and thoroughly.

Lake Kariba in Zambia is the largest manmade lake in the world. Completed in 1959, it was designed to provide hydro-electric power for Zambia and Zimbabwe. 280km of river was turned into an enormous 5,200km2 of lake! Chete Island peeps out of Lake Kariba. Historically the construction of Lake Kariba was surrounded by much debate – thousands of BaTonga villagers were immediately displaced and much wildlife drowned despite the ‘Operation Noah’ initiative to save and relocate animals as the flood waters rose. However, that was fifty years ago and today the lake is home to a rich fish and aquatic life, and its shores are rich in wildlife and beauty. This is a place for fishing, a place for quiet relaxation in a striking natural environment and a place to come on safari – a kind of three for one experience!

Chete Island is a private wildlife reserve and bird sanctuary and is the largest island on the lake (27km2). It is a remote southern island, very much isolated except for the glimpse of kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon) fishing rigs in the distance.

Known as a “wild water wilderness”, this is a place where game and birds flourish, completely protected and unadulterated. Despite the small size of the island, its game is not tame. Though populations are not as dense here as they are in other Zambian national parks (Luangwa and some areas of Kafue) animal sightings are still thrilling here.

There is

• a resident herd of elephant of around 80-100,
• a pride of lions
• possibly half a dozen leopard
• a herd of eland
• lots of impala, waterbuck and bushbuck
• some kudu
• a wide variety of birds – 378 species recorded to date
• and of course plenty crocodile and hippo!

The island has a sense of solitude, charm and wilderness that only a wild island can possibly give. Far from the adrenaline junkie power boats of the shores of Lake Kariba, this remote island lies largely unknown and virtually unvisited by the tourist world.

Some would define the solitude as heaven, but for those who want a little action, activities are another optional ingredient.

• Game walks with an island guide are an obvious and must do experience
• Bird watching will happen by accident but an organised session can be arranged
• As you are surrounded by water, game and bird viewing by canoe gives another twist
• Many have said that fishing the lakes water is worth a trip here on its own
• And, sunset and sailing cruises will relax your mind and body weather you intend it or not!

Chete Island offers a luxurious tented camp with just 8 Meru style tents. A place where elephants choose to idly wander past, where the unforgettable sound of the bellow of hippos travels down the bay and where the magnificent African sunset awes the few visitors that are lucky enough to ever step foot here.

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When you think of the Italian Lakes most people tend to think of Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Como, and Lake Garda – the famous glacial lakes located in the northern Lombardy region in the foothills of the Alps and close to Italy’s border with Switzerland. These stunning lakes attract millions of tourists each year and can be exceptionally crowded during weekends and in the summer months.

However, there are another group of lakes in Italy which are just as beautiful but much less well-known. The ‘other’ Italian lakes are volcanic in nature and located just north of Rome, in the Lazio area. Lake Bracciano, Lake Bolsena and Lake Vico are very easy to get to and are all breathtakingly beautiful. You will find them between the Apennine Mountains on the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west sitting at an altitude of almost three hundred meters.

Perhaps one of the best ways to experience these lakes is to rent one of the many historical holiday houses that are available in the area. These properties tend to be located in very rural areas, or in small villages, and provide a real feel for the local area.

There are many holiday rental options to choose from in the Lazio region that will fit any budget. However, due to the proximity of Rome it is important to make reservations well in advance – especially in high season.

You will find a number of stunning rental properties in this area. For example, the lovely Villa Concetta is only two kilometers away from Lake Vico. This is the oldest volcanic lake in Europe. It is also very near to lake front beaches and lots of nice restaurants and bars. The villa is surrounded by spacious landscaped grounds and is equipped with a private swimming pool.

You can barbecue and eat outside on the patio. If you don’t want to cook, there are great restaurants nearby. The village of Caprarola is nearby with its pharmacy, shops and banks. There are wonderful walking trails in the nearby woods and the Cimini mountains.

Villa Castelluzzo is another beautiful and historic holiday villa which is secluded amongst lovely lawns, wooded gardens, and mature trees on the Lazio/Umbria border near Assisi. This property is extremely well appointed and features a floodlit tennis court, a large outdoor pool, a heated indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi.

The lovely village of Lubriano is only a few kilometers away and you can easily drive to Lake Bolsena just 16-kilometers away. The towns of Maremma and Montepulciano make great day trips.

Villa Anna is a large vacation property suitable for a group on holiday or for a large family. It’s situated only an hour from Rome on the shore of beautiful Lake Vico. The house features open fireplaces, large picture windows and traditional furnishings. It offers a total of five bedrooms – three on the ground floor and two on the second floor. There is plenty of outside dining space and the house overlooks wooded gardens and lawns with wonderful panoramas of the lake and the beach. The lake with its numerous restaurants and bars is a short walk from the villa.

The historic village of Ronciglione is just four kilometers away on the Via Francigena offering a wide selection of restaurants as well as other amenities.

Whether you decide to stay in one of these stunning holiday homes or choose a different accommodation option, the ‘other’ Italian lakes of Lake Bracciano, Lake Bolsena and Lake Vico are definitely worth a visit. Not only are they as beautiful as their more celebrated rivals in the North of Italy, but they also offer a much less crowded and natural alternative.

If you are a keen birder, then Lake Naivasha in Kenya is one place to add to your bucket list. This article tells of the birds we have seen there and the activities available that enable you to see different species – boating for water birds, cycling for ground birds, and walking for woodland species.

Birds on the Lake

Given it’s a large lake, the most obvious activity to do when visiting Naivasha is to get out on a boat. The hippos are usually the draw card, but the myriad water bird species impress even those who think they aren’t interested in birds. Here’s what we have seen while out on the lake:

• Great White Pelican
• Great Cormorant
• Long-tailed Cormorant
• Cattle Egret
• Common Squacco Heron
• Little Egret
• Grey Heron
• Purple Heron
• Black-headed Heron
• Hamerkop
• Marabou Stork
• Yellow-billed Stork
• Sacred Ibis
• African Spoonbill
• Greater Flamingo
• Lesser Flamingo
• Egyptian Goose
• Yellow-billed Duck
• African Fish Eagle
• Black Crake
• Red-knobbed Coot
• African Jacana
• Black-winged Stilt
• Blacksmith plover
• Sandpiper
• Gull
• Swift
• Pied Kingfisher

Birds while Walking

There are several Conservancies around Lake Naivasha where you can enjoy a walking safari and see woodland bird species. These include Wileli Conservancy, Green Crater Lake and Hells Gate National Park. In Hells Gate you can also hire bicycles to explore more of the park, and there are also places where you can ride horses. Whether you are on foot, bike or horse, spotting birds is easier than from a vehicle. Here’s what we saw on one walk in Wileli Conservancy:

• Hadada Ibis
• Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture
• Auger Buzzard
• Long-crested Eagle
• Crowned Plover
• Ring-necked Dove
• Grey Woodpecker
• Plain-backed Pipit
• Common Bulbul
• Cinnamon Bracken Warbler
• Rattling Cisticola
• Cuckoo-shrike
• Common Drongo
• Black-headed Oriole
• Rüppell’s Long-tailed Starling
• Superb Starling
• Wattled Starling
• Red-billed Oxpecker
• Rufous Sparrow
• Baglafecht (Reichenow’s) Weaver
• Red-headed Weaver

Have you considered a Lake Mary and Seminole County Florida Mexican restaurant when you are planning a night out with your family? It is an ideal location for good food, and great atmosphere. Mexican food is a particular favorite among kids and they will be thrilled with your choice of restaurant.

When you are planning a night out with the family it is always a good idea to plan in advance. This eliminates any unnecessary waiting and the chance that you won’t be able to do exactly what you planned. Get out your yellow pages and look at the variety of restaurants in your area. Find the Lake Mary and Seminole County Mexican restaurants and give them a quick call. You should find out if they prefer reservations or if a diner can typically get in right away. If they accept reservations make some for your family.

If your children have never experienced real Mexican food they are in for a treat. Once you arrive at the restaurant let the kids check out the menu. Answer all of their questions about what this is or what that is. If you are unsure of any of the items feel free to ask your waitperson. They will be able to answer any questions about the food. It’s probably a good idea to have the children order something that is not too spicy. Let your waitperson know that you are doing this and they will probably be able to make some recommendations.

Traditional Mexican food is flavorful and delicious. Your kids will love it. If you have all ordered something different make it a point to sample each other’s dishes. This is a great idea for getting a complete taste of a variety of Mexican dishes.

Sit back and enjoy the atmosphere of a Mexican restaurant with your family. Your children will be happy for the experience and you will enjoy the night away from the house and the chore of cooking.

Once you complete the meal take a moment or two to savor the moment. You can now go on with the rest of your family night out. You can now head on over to the movie theater or the bowling alley for some more family fun. Be sure to take note of what your children enjoyed while they were eating dinner. It will help you know what to order the next time you choose a Lake Mary and Seminole County Mexican restaurant for dinner.

Now you know, a Mexican restaurant is an ideal location to bring your children and enjoy a fun filled family night out. You can be assured that the next time you are planning your night out that Mexican food will be high on your children’s list of favorite restaurants. It’s always a good idea to expose your children to new and different foods and cultures. Your night out at the Mexican restaurant has accomplished that goal.

Keep an eye out for our next article, as we will be giving our recommendations on the best Mexican restaurants in Lake Mary and Seminole County.

Lake Thunderbird is definitely one of the best outdoor highlights in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas.

Come enjoy all the beauty of the Ozarks on wonderful Lake Thunderbird in Cherokee Village, Arkansas. Beautiful lakefront homes surround this lake located right in the heart of the village. Cherokee Village is a water lover’s dream with its seven lakes and access to the Southfork and Spring Rivers. Spend a day on the water with family and friends and you’ll be hooked. It’s a wonderful area to enjoy the water. Many people take leisurely night cruises to take in the pleasures of the evening on the water.

With over 7 miles of shoreline, this lake is excellent for boating, water-skiing, tubing, fishing, swimming, and canoeing. It is the largest and most popular lake in the village.

Thunderbird Marina is conveniently located on Iroquois Drive, and is a full service marina with boat rentals, bait and fishing tackle, ice, and water ski and tube rentals as well. Their telephone number is 870-257-3240. Bob McCullough is the manager of the marina and is a wealth of information about anything you need to know about all the lakes.

Thunderbird is stocked with Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and other fish known to the northern Arkansas areas for those that want to try their luck.

Lake Sequoyah is also connected to Thunderbird by a navigable channel that connects and allows boat access between Lake Thunderbird and Lake Sequoyah. The channel also provides access by boat to Gitche Gummee Swimming Beach on Lake Sequoyah.

All lakes in the village are private and available to property owners and their guests. If you are staying in the village, it is easy to get a guest pass to use the lake.

More on Lake Thunderbird