Q. What is magnet fishing? Is it allowed at Starved Rock State Park?
A. It is legal, according to Illinois Conservation Police Sgt. Wire, and the activity is catching on nationwide. Participants have a heavy magnet with a metal loop attached, and a rope tied to that. They toss it out into the water, let it sink and see what attaches to it. No fishing license is needed, but it's not necessarily legal to try it just anywhere. A lot of bridges don't allow standing, stopping or fishing, and on those, it would not be legal, Wire said.
— Shaw Media Craig Sterrett