Mushroom Season Comes to Central Illinois

It’s that time of year again - mushroom hunters will be out in full force during the next few weeks, and the target on their radar is the elusive morel. For many local hunters, mushrooming spots are considered top secret and are often “handed down” from family members. The mushrooms commonly appear after warm, wet spring weather, with daytime temperatures in the high 60’s or 70’s, and nighttime temperatures hovering in the 50’s. For central Illinois, this usually occurs in late April and into mid, or even late May. 

Morels can vary widely in size, ranging anywhere from 2-12 inches long depending on when in the season they are found. Typically, morels sprout in moist woodlands or river bottoms, and even areas disturbed by fire, logging, and flooding can be fruitful spots. Morels also tend to have favorite species of trees which they can be found near. These trees include ashes, elms, cottonwoods, and even domesticated apple trees. Soil temperatures also play a large role in the growth of morels. They will start to emerge when the soil hits 50 degrees and will usually start dying off once that temp reaches 60 degrees. If you are still unsure when to start your search, the appearance of dandelions and lilacs are great indications that morels have started to grow.

Though morels could be considered aesthetically unappealing, many in the midwest consider them to be delicacies due to their limited season, elusive nature, and varied culinary uses. Creative cooks have found many uses for morels, including pastas, soups, and even hollandaise sauces, however, the most common way to savor them is to simply saute them in butter. Some also prefer to cover them in an egg mixture, bread them, and cook until golden brown. 

In Illinois, there is no restriction to hunting morels, provided that foragers adhere to approved regulations and hours. A license is also not needed. If you are unable to make it out to search, no worries, local foragers will usually sell some of their spoils - though a pound of cleaned mushrooms can set you back anywhere from $25 to $40 per pound, depending on local variables. Keep an eye on your social media accounts and you’ll likely luck out.