By Gary Thomas

Vacation time is just around the corner. If you want to take your family on a fun outing and have fun yourself, we have some ideas for you.

You don't have to go out of state or spend a lot of dollars to find a great spot where your family can enjoy a fantastic vacation. There are places close by that charge reasonable rates, and one of them will meet the needs of your family.

It may surprise many people to learn that the best innkeeper for outdoor adventures is the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. That agency has lodges and/or cabins located in nine state parks, each operated by concessionaires, and each is an ideal place for a family and for Dad to find fishing opportunities.

"From Illinois Beach Resort at Lake Michigan to Cave-in-Rock in southern Illinois, there is something for everyone at the lodging facilities at Illinois State Parks," said DNR director Joel Brunsvold. "Some lodges are historic in nature, while others feature modern architecture. All of the lodging at Illinois State Parks is family friendly and are great places for a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation."

You can book a guided trip at North Point Marina or Waukegan Harbor. Take along a cooler, because when the fishing is good you'll be taking home filets big enough that one fish can feed a family of four.

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

The coho salmon average 2 to 3 pounds in the spring, and 5 to 6 pounds during the fall months. Spring chinooks go about 7 pounds and will average upward of 15 pounds during the fall. Steelhead will weigh 5 pounds on average. Lake trout will average 10 to 15 pounds, but 18-pounders aren't uncommon. Brown trout will stay closer to shore and particularly near warmwater discharge areas. They average about 4 pounds.

There is a five-fish-per-day limit on salmon and trout together, except for lake trout. Anglers are only allowed two lakers per day.

Lake Michigan also has developed a pretty good smallmouth bass fishery. Look for these fish near structure in the harbors.

The lodge at Illinois Beach State Park is actually a full-service modern hotel with 92 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, lounge, swimming pool, jacuzzi, health club and game room.

The park has a large campground, picnic areas, numerous hiking and biking trails, and a public golf course nearby. You're also just minutes away from the Six Flags theme park and the large Gurnee Mills Shopping Mall, plus the Temple Farms Lipizzan stallions with shows Wednesdays and Sundays. If all that doesn't interest you, keep in mind that you're just 45 minutes from Chicago's Loop and dozens of internationally renowned museums.

More about Illinois Beach Lodge is available at www.ilresorts.com, or call for a reservation at (847) 625-7300.

Located on the Illinois River between La Salle and Ottawa, Starved Rock State Park is known for its scenic views of the river and spectacular canyons. The river has the reputation for producing great walleye and sauger fishing. The fish average 2 to 3 pounds, but larger ones are common. If you're not familiar with the river or how to catch these tasty fish, the best way to learn the river is to hire one of the local guide services.

White bass are numerous, too, especially near where the Vermilion River empties into the Illinois River. You can also catch these fish off the park shoreline near the visitor's center. The fish average 3/4 to 1 pound. You'll also find plentiful numbers of channel catfish and flathead catfish up and down the river.

One of the best views of the river is from Starved Rock Lodge, located on the river bluff. The stone and log lodge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and features the Great Hall with beamed ceiling and a giant fireplace, and it is decorated with Native American artifacts, rugs and artwork. The lodge was enlarged and modernized several years ago and today features 72 guest rooms and 22 cabins, the latter having wood-burning fireplaces. There also is an indoor pool, a gift shop, and restaurant and lounge.

You won't run out of things to do either. Begin your visit at the new visitor's center and museum to learn the park's history and natural history. The lock and dam across the river from the park also has a visitor's center/museum that is worth visiting, as is a visit to the Utica museum and the historic I&M Canal. The park has more than 15 miles of hiking trails winding through scenic canyons and along the river bluff. There also are biking trails, horse-riding stables and playgrounds, as well as a large campground and picnic areas.

There is a public golf course close by, as well as canoe rental and whitewater rafting opportunities in the spring. There also is a nearby water park.

More information about the lodge is available by calling 1-800-868-ROCK, or visiting www.starvedrocklodge.com.

Located just south of Decatur, Shelbyville is one of the state's premier muskie lakes. Fish range from 10 to 25 pounds and are found off riprap, gravel points and near deadfalls.

The lake's largemouth bass population is on the upswing, with 2-pounders being average and 6-pounders common. Look in the flooded timber, off points and near dropoffs.

Lake Shelbyville has a good walleye population, with average fish going 2 1/2 to 3 pounds, and found near dropoffs and on the flats.

Crappies are abundant and nice-sized, going about 1-pound average. Look for them in brushy areas and near riprap.

Although they don't get much attention, the lake also has a great white bass population. The fish average nearly 1 pound, but 2-pounders aren't uncommon. Fish off points, on the flats and near riprap.

Channel catfish average about 2 pounds, but 6- and 7-pounders are common. They are found throughout the lake, but particularly where creeks enter into the lake, along riprap areas and near dropoffs.

Eagle Creek Resort, a modern, luxurious hotel on the west shore of the lake, puts you in the middle of the action. It features 138 rooms, including 10 executive suites with fireplaces. There is a great restaurant, bar and grill. The lodge features a championship golf course, indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools, saunas and a fitness room, a gift shop, a miniature golf course and tennis courts. There are hiking trails nearby, and you can rent pontoon boats. There also are numerous craft and antique shops nearby.

Learn more about the resort at www.eaglecreekresort.com, or call 1-800-876-3245.