The new fishing craze involves a magnet.

Illinois Conservation Police Sgt. Phil Wire was recently asked by Starved Rock Park Rangers if “Magnet Fishing” is legal after a park guest inquired about it at the visitor center. What is Magnet fishing you ask? Thats a good question and I had to google it myself to find out what it is.

Turns out magnet fishing is where you take a big heavy duty magnet attached with a ring and a rope and toss it out into the water letting it sink to the bottom. Then you drag it back to shore or to your boat and hope to pick up something cool from the bottom like a bicycle, jewelry or anything else that may or may not be valuable or invaluable.  Sgt. Phil Wire hasn’t actually seen anyone magnet fish, but apparently its catching on across the country.

And the answer to the question is YES! Magnet fishing is legal in Illinois.

I may just have to try my luck and see what I find.

Brandon