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NW IL Driftless Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

NW IL Driftless

Good

Northwest Illinois driftless region along the Mississippi bluffs. Unglaciated terrain with steep wooded ravines of white oak, hickory, and elm. Apple Creek and tributary valleys are prime morel habitat. Cooler season than southern IL.

Trees:White Oak Hickory American Elm

Updated Oct 11, 5:07 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

NW IL Driftless is rated Good: soil is holding at 65.1°F, there's no drought, and the moisture trigger is met off 2.09" over the last 14 days. The catch is that the last 7 days were completely dry. VWC is sliding (0.21 7-day average down to 0.18 today), so moisture is the limiting factor. Most fall staples are fully in play: Hen of the Woods, Honey Mushroom, Lion's Mane, Hedgehog, Blewit, Wine Cap, Smooth Chanterelle, Giant Puffball, and the oak-associated polypores like Beefsteak and Artist's Conk. Chicken of the Woods and Black Trumpet are only at moderate, with primordia not yet established after just 1-2 warm days, so expect them to lag. Watch the forecast: another rain-free week will start shutting down the soil-dwelling fruiters first, while a soaking rain would push a fresh flush within 5-10 days. Also note the lookalike risk this time of year: Death Cap, Destroying Angel, Deadly Galerina, and Poison Pie are all fruiting under the same conditions as your edibles, so Honey Mushroom, Hen, and Blewit hunts need careful ID at the base and spore print. Hot tip: Hunt north-facing slopes and drainage bottoms near mature oaks, where leaf litter and shade hold moisture longest through the dry spell, and check the base of oaks for Hen of the Woods first.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential80/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(0)

No campgrounds within 10 mi. Try widening the radius.

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil warming up (65°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil warming up (65°F today, only 1/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Destroying AngelAmanita bisporigera

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

BlewitLepista nuda

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

EarthstarGeastrum triplex

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

ChagaInonotus obliquus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly GalerinaGalerina marginata

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow FootCraterellus tubaeformis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Violet WebcapCortinarius violaceus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

BlusherAmanita rubescens

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Gem-Studded PuffballLycoperdon perlatum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow PatchesAmanita flavoconia

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Poison PieHebeloma crustuliniforme

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Blackening RussulaRussula nigricans

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Woolly Milk CapLactarius torminosus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Elfin SaddleHelvella crispa

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Crested CoralClavulina cristata

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Brown Roll-RimPaxillus involutus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Aniseed FunnelClitocybe odora

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Rooted CollybiaXerula furfuracea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

The DeceiverLaccaria laccata

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-Gilled GymGymnopilus luteofolius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

HIGHPrimed

Common StinkhornPhallus impudicus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil warming up (65°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil warming up (65°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.18 VWC, 7d avg 0.21

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.

NW IL Driftless

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Conditions History

Viable Species

Limiting Factors