Fishing Regulations in Illinois
Size limits, bag limits, and seasons by species in Illinois.
In Illinois, the Department of Natural Resources sets the rules for the big-river catfish and bass of the Mississippi and Illinois, the state's lakes and ponds, and the salmon and trout of Lake Michigan. Limits and seasons vary by water and species, so confirm the rules for your spot before you head out.
Notable waters
Statewide
Year-round
No Statewide Size: No statewide size limit
Combined Aggregate: LMB + SMB + Spotted Bass 6 daily in aggregate
Smb Spring Release: All SMB in rivers/streams must be immediately released April 1 - June 15
Rivers Streams Smb 3: Rivers/streams + tributaries statewide (except Mississippi/Ohio incl Golconda Marina/Wabash/Illinois River/Calumet River incl Cal-Sag/Lake Calumet Connecting Channel/Calumet Sag/Calumet River/navigable Grand Calumet/Little Calumet): can contain no more than 3 SMB
Specific bodies of water may have special regulations.
Always confirm with the official state agency before keeping a fish. Regulations can change and local exceptions may apply.
Check Illinois Regulations on the App
Take size limits, bag limits, and seasons for every species with you on the water. CatchVault is on iOS, with Android on the way.