Illinois Fishing Regulations: Bag Limits, Size Limits and Seasons

These are the statewide daily bag limits and length limits Illinois anglers work under, taken from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) guide for April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Statewide means the default: most states, Illinois included, override these on specific lakes, rivers and coastal zones, so treat this page as the baseline and the official guide as the rule for the water you are standing on.

Illinois is open year-round, with one statewide closure worth knowing: in most rivers and streams every smallmouth bass must be released from April 1 to June 15 (the Mississippi, Ohio, Wabash, Illinois and Calumet waters are exempt). Lakes stocked with catchable trout close for a spring and fall stocking period. Lake sturgeon are protected. You will still need the Illinois fishing license, which runs $15 for residents and $31.50 for non-residents; the Illinois fishing license page covers short-term options, exemptions and where to buy.

AgencyIllinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Regulation yearApril 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
Free fishingFree Fishing Days are June 19-22, 2026. No license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp needed, including on the Illinois portion of Lake Michigan.
Official regulation guide License cost

Limits last verified 2026-09-16.

Illinois freshwater bag and length limits

Statewide freshwater limits. Water-specific exceptions in the official guide take precedence.
Species Daily bag Length
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bassIn rivers and streams (except the Mississippi, Ohio and Wabash) no more than 3 may be smallmouth. 6 combined None statewide
CrappieMany lakes set site-specific crappie limits. No limit None statewide
Bluegill and other sunfish No limit None statewide
Channel, blue and flathead catfish No limit None statewide
Walleye, sauger and saugeyeNo minimum on the Mississippi and Wabash rivers. 6 combined 14 in. minimum
Northern pikeNo size limit on the Mississippi River. 3 24 in. minimum
Muskellunge and tiger muskie 1 36 in. minimum
Striped, white and yellow bass and hybridsMississippi River: 30 a day on the Missouri border, 25 on the Iowa border. 3 fish 17 in. or longer No limit under 17 in.
Trout and salmonAn inland trout stamp is required. 5 combined None statewide
Paddlefish 2 None
Alligator gar 1 per 24 hours None

How to read a bag limit

A daily bag limit is the number of that species one angler may keep in a day, and in most states also the number you may have in possession on the water. Where a row says "combined", the number is shared across every species named in it. A minimum length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched; a slot means fish inside the range must go back. When a lake has its own rule in the official guide, that rule replaces the statewide one for that water only.

Related: the Illinois fishing license page for the fee and where to buy, non-resident fishing license fees across states, and fishing regulations for every state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bass limit in Illinois?

Statewide, Illinois allows 6 combined largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass per day, with a length rule of none statewide. In rivers and streams (except the Mississippi, Ohio and Wabash) no more than 3 may be smallmouth. Individual lakes often carry a different slot or minimum, so check the water-specific exceptions in the official guide.

How many crappie can you keep in Illinois?

The statewide daily limit is no limit, size rule none statewide. Many lakes set site-specific crappie limits.

What is the catfish limit in Illinois?

Channel, blue and flathead catfish: no limit per day, none statewide.

What is the trout limit in Illinois?

Trout and salmon: 5 combined per day, none statewide. An inland trout stamp is required.

Is there a closed season for fishing in Illinois?

Illinois is open year-round, with one statewide closure worth knowing: in most rivers and streams every smallmouth bass must be released from April 1 to June 15 (the Mississippi, Ohio, Wabash, Illinois and Calumet waters are exempt). Lakes stocked with catchable trout close for a spring and fall stocking period. Lake sturgeon are protected.

When can you fish without a license in Illinois?

Free Fishing Days are June 19-22, 2026. No license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp needed, including on the Illinois portion of Lake Michigan.

Do I need a license to fish in Illinois?

Yes for most adults. The annual Illinois fishing license costs $15 for residents and $31.50 for non-residents. Resident seniors 65-74 pay $7.75, 75+ pay $1.50. Inland Trout Stamp and Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp are $6.50 each on top of the base license. See the Illinois fishing license page for short-term options and where to buy.

Where do these Illinois limits come from?

Every figure on this page was read from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) regulation guide for April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 and last checked on 2026-09-16. The guide, not this page, is the legal document. Use the official source link above before you keep a fish.