Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
.jpg){kind=link}
Illinois
State, United States. Authority : Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Division of Fisheries.
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$44Resident 3-year Fishing License
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 91.4 cmMuskellunge and tiger muskie
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearDigital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 91.4 cm here.
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Jointed Big Bait 22 cm, 115 gFor : northern pike, wels catfish · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€57.90£39.90Not shipped to the United States
Fishing Accessory Box, 329 PiecesFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · feeder fishing
€45.90£25.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Closed periods apply only to stocked catchable-trout sites; statewide trout/salmon daily limit 5. Inland Trout Stamp required to take trout.
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–100 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye3 statewide, except Mississippi and Wabash rivers and site-specific rules | 35.6 cm | |
| Northern pike3 statewide, except Mississippi River (no size limit) | 61 cm | |
| Muskellunge and tiger muskie3 statewide | 91.4 cm |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 91.4 cm here. Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted combined)3 no statewide size limit; max 3 smallmouth in rivers/streams (except Mississippi, Ohio, Wabash); smallmouth catch-and-release Apr 1 - Jun 15 in most rivers/streams | 6 per day |
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye (combined)3 statewide | 6 per day |
| Northern pike3 statewide | 3 per day |
| Muskellunge / tiger muskie3 statewide | 1 per day |
| Trout and salmon (combined)3 statewide | 5 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Fishing License1 | annual (expires March 31; licence bought on/after March 1, 2026 expires March 31, 2027) | US$15 |
| Resident Sport Fishing License (24 hour)1 | 1-day | US$5.50 |
| Resident 3-year Fishing License1 | 3-year | US$44 |
| Resident Senior Fishing License (65-74)1 | annual | US$7.75 |
| Resident Super Senior Fishing License (75+)1 | annual | US$1.50 |
| Resident First-Time Fishing License (no license in past 10 years)1 | annual | US$5.50 |
| Non-Resident Fishing License1 | annual | US$31.50 |
| Non-Resident Fishing License (3 day)1 | 3-day | US$15.50 |
| Non-Resident Sport Fishing License (24 hour)1 | 1-day | US$10.50 |
| Electronic Inland Trout Stamp1 | annual | US$6.50 |
| Electronic Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp1 | annual | US$6.50 |
| Resident Sportsmen's Combination Hunting/Fishing License1 | annual | US$26.25 |
Buy the licence on exploremoreil.com
- Ages and exemptions3
- Residents under 16 years of age, and resident persons declared legally disabled or blind, may fish without a license. Non-residents under 16 may fish without a license. Seniors: reduced resident licenses 65-74 ($7.75) and 75+ ($1.50).
Good to know
Black bass 6/day with no statewide size limit, but many lakes have site-specific length limits (12-18 in). Smallmouth protected in spring in rivers. Walleye 14 in / 6 per day; northern pike 24 in / 3 per day; muskie 36 in / 1 per day. Free fishing days June 19-22, 2026.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- Pas de permis non-résident 7 jours (seulement 24 h et 3 jours) ; la page de tarifs IDNR n'affiche pas d'année (tarifs rattachés à la saison 2026-27 par la brochure)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Rend Lake reservoir, Franklin, Jefferson
Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Channel catfish View on the map - Carlyle Lake reservoir, Bond, Clinton, Fayette
Bluegill, Largemouth bass, Channel catfish View on the map - Lake Shelbyville reservoir, Moultrie, Shelby
Muskellunge, Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Walleye, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish View on the map - Clinton Lake reservoir
Largemouth bass, Walleye View on the map - Kinkaid Lake reservoir
Channel catfish, Walleye, Largemouth bass, Muskellunge, Bluegill View on the map - Crab Orchard Lake reservoir
Bluegill, Largemouth bass, Channel catfish View on the map - Evergreen Lake reservoir
Largemouth bass, Muskellunge View on the map - Braidwood Lake reservoir
Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Bluegill View on the map - Fox Chain O' Lakes lake
Bluegill, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Muskellunge View on the map - Sangchris Lake reservoir View on the map
- Devils Kitchen Lake reservoir
Largemouth bass, Rainbow trout, Bluegill View on the map - Heidecke Lake reservoir
Channel catfish, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Muskellunge, Bluegill, Largemouth bass View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Illinois in 2026?
The “Resident 3-year Fishing License” licence costs US$44 (3-year). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Illinois?
Muskellunge: 91.4 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- IDNR – Fishing Licenses (fees table) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- IDNR – Non-Resident Licenses/Permits (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Illinois Fishing Information (effective April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- ExploreMoreIL (vente officielle) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.