Illinois gold prospecting

[mu50stang]

I have been going crazy trying to get an idea in illinois(near chicago) or indiana were i can pan for gold. Any help would so much appreciated. Thanks.

[B H Prospector]

Hi Stang,
hat you will have in Indiana is glacial gold deposits as will be in Illinois. There isn't much information on gold being found in Illinois however. In Indiana look in the Northern third of Brown county, Carrol Co. within 3 miles of Delphi, Cass co. near Logansport, and Fourteen Mile Creek in Clark Co. 3 1/2 miles NE of Charlestown, in Clinton CO. in the Kilmore Branch of the S. Fork of the Wildcat River. These are just a few of the counties in Indiana where gold has been found. Check the inside bends of rivers and creeks and look for exposed bedrock both in the creek and on the banks above the water line. Make sure you have owner permission if on private land. Also the Morgan-Monroe State Forest is open to panning. A permit is required and can be obtained at: Morgan-Monroe State Forest
6220 Forest Road
Martainsville, In 46151
765-342-4026
There is camping there also. Call as rates can change. The Forest personel are said to be helpful. There have been good reports about this site. Good reports have also come from near by Yellowwood State Forest. There are about 11 other counties that have reports of gold also.
Hope this helps. Good Luck .
B H Prospector

[russau]

i know several prospectors in the Chicago area. you may want to look into the northern chapter of the GPAA and look over www.midwestprospector.com Chuck Lassiter

[CGC Miner]

I have heard of small amounts of gold being found in the streams of Northern Ill and South West Wisconsin that drain from the glacial drumlins of that area.
If I can dig up that information, I will gladly share it with you.
Good Luck,
CGC

[wrinkles]

i live in nw illinois. i might be wrong, but i think i read that any kind of gold prospecting in illinois is illegal, that the state owns all the mineral rights. so i guess if you do find gold, you are suppose to turn it into the state. in other words, go tattle on yourself.

[russau]

reading and understanding the laws in Ill. would be a great help in knowing what you can or canot do! do your research first,then go out and have some fun!guessing what you can or canot do will only get you and others in trouble!

[wrinkles]

i did do the research. it seems you are the one lacking the ability.

Laws & Regulations for Prospecting Gold in Illinois
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Gold prospecting is allowed in Illinois.
gold image by Raimundas from Fotolia.com Gold has never been mined commercially in Illinois, but some people have had success prospecting for gold along rivers and streams and excavation sites. Prospecting in Illinois is regulated by state laws and violating these laws is punishable by fines and possibly jail time. If you follow the rules, you can prospect gold in Illinois.
Property Rights
The cardinal rule of prospecting in Illinois is that you must have permission from the owner of the property. Prospecting without permission is considered trespassing and you can be arrested. You should contact the owner of the land and get his written permission to prospect the land in case any troubles arises.
Public Land
The state of Illinois has outlawed panning on any and all state-owned sites, including parks and preserves, but other forms of prospecting are allowed with a permit. The only federal land available for prospecting is Shawnee National Forest, but you must first apply and be approved for prospecting and issued a permit by the Forest Supervisor. It is illegal to prospect without a permit.
Mineral Rights
If you are given a permit to prospect for gold on land owned by the state of Illinois, then you are unable to claim mineral rights if you do find gold on public lands through excavation or other means. The state maintains all mineral rights to gold found on public land. You must notify Illinois Department of Natural Resources of any gold found.
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[russau]

Wrinkels ,your comment wasnt called for! i think you read toooo much into my post. dont be so defensive!

[Bumpstick]

To Wrinkles.
How can you prospect for gold in Illinois without using a pan?
What other forms of prospecting are allowed?

[wrinkles]

it beats me. i'm heading west in a couple of weeks. there is a park in southern illinois where you can look for gold. i can't remember the name.