April Newsbits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for April 2026.

April 2

Tot Time: Totally Turtles

Dickson Mounds Museum

Lewistown | Fulton County

Families are invited to learn about the different types of turtles found in Illinois, presented by Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery’s natural resources coordinator Kayleigh Smith. Registration is not required, but groups of eight or more are encouraged to call the museum at 309-547-3721 to ensure the availability of supplies. Learn more on the Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds website.

April 4

Spring trout season

Statewide

Illinois spring trout fishing season begins Saturday, April 4 at 58 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state. IDNR stocks more than 80,000 rainbow trout each year in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted during the spring season. Get your fishing license and learn more at ifishillinois.org.

April 4

Butterflies and plants hike

Cache River Wetlands Center

Cypress | Johnson County

Learn about butterflies and the plants they need at the Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center at Cache River State Natural Area in southern Illinois. The program will be followed by an optional hike. Visit the park’s Facebook for additional details.

April 4

Easter egg hunt and roll

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site

Charleston | Coles County

Youth are invited to participate in an Easter egg hunt and traditional Easter egg roll at the 1840s home of President Abraham Lincoln’s parents. Visit lincolnlogcabin.org for additional details.

April 4-6

Youth spring turkey hunting

Statewide

The Illinois youth spring turkey hunting season is April 4-6. For more information regarding requirements and youth hunting regulations visit IDNR’s turkey hunting website.

April 4, 11, 17

Spring wildflower Walk

Giant City State Park

Makanda | Jackson County

Trillium Trail is one of the best spring wildflower trails in southern Illinois. Explore the first blooms of spring on this two-mile hike. Call 618-457-4836 to register, and follow Giant City State Park on Facebook for more information.

April 6-10, 13-17

First spring turkey hunting seasons

Statewide

The first spring turkey hunting season is April 6-10 for Illinois’ south zone and April 13-17 for the north zone. For more information and to view the full schedule for additional seasons, visit IDNR’s spring turkey season website.

April 8-10

Nature Sleuths Spring Break

Starved Rock State Park

Oglesby | LaSalle County

Register now for a week of spring break nature workshops at Starved Rock State Park with area naturalists. Suitable for youth of all ages. Register by emailing Lisa.Sons@illinois.gov. Be sure to follow Starved Rock State Park on Facebook.

April 11

Early Pioneers of LaSalle County

Starved Rock State Park

Oglesby | LaSalle County

Discover fascinating stories of LaSalle County's earliest settlers through the early 1800s. Come hear the story of Elsie Armstrong, one of the early pioneers in LaSalle County. Learn more online.

April 11

Easter service

Apple River Fort State Historic Site

Elizabeth | Jo Daviess County

Attend an Easter service at the Apple River Fort State Historic Site. Take a step back in time at the location of this early 1800s fort, and be sure to dress for the weather. View the Apple River Fort events calendar for additional details.

April 11, 25

Spring wildflower hikes

Argyle Lake State Park

Colchester | McDonough

Join IDNR staff at the park’s visitor center at 10 a.m. for a 1.5-mile hike while enjoying the first blooms of spring. Visit Argyle Lake online for additional details.

April 18

This Land is Your Land: The Folksongs of Woody Guthrie

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site

Charleston | Coles County

The public is invited to this special presentation and performance of the songs of Woody Guthrie in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. The event is offered in partnership with Illinois Humanities. Visit lincolnlogcabin.org for additional details.

April 25

Waterfalls and Wildflowers

Starved Rock State Park

Oglesby | LaSalle County

Explore the park's waterfalls and wildflowers with a naturalist. Register online at Starved Rock’s Eventbrite.

April 25

The Frosted Republic

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site

Charleston | Coles County

Learn the history of cake and how it has impacted cultural change. Lori Parret, founder of Cakewalk Chicago, connects the art of cake decorating with conversations about America’s identity. Visit lincolnlogcabin.org for additional details.

April 25-26

City Nature Challenge and Identification Party

Pullman State Historic Site

Chicago | Cook County

Learn about the site’s biodiversity at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25. Then, at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26, join IDNR staff for a special event on how to identify plants and wildlife in the community. Learn more about the City Nature Challenge online.

April 26

Explore the World of Reptiles: Live Animal Program

Starved Rock State Park

Oglesby | LaSalle County

Learn about Illinois reptiles and amphibians with a presentation featuring live, native herpetofauna. Follow Starved Rock State Park on Facebook for more information.

April 26

Dia de los Ninos

Illinois State Museum

Springfield | Sangamon County

This holiday is commemorated in Mexico and honors being a child and the role children play in our community. Visitors can enjoy games, art, entertainment and more at this free event. Learn more at illinoisstatemuseum.org.

April 27

Illinois History Day

Crown Plaza

Springfield | Sangamon County

Illinois History Day is a program of the Illinois State Museum and is affiliated with National History Day, a nationwide program that engages students in historical research, interpretation and creative presentation. Learn more at illinoisstatemuseum.org.

Follow IDNR on Facebook and its online calendar of events for further information. View the full list of IDNR seasonal events online.

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