Welcome to I Fish Illinois—Illinois DNR Division of Fisheries

2024 Spring Trout Season Opener

The 2024 Illinois Spring Trout Season will open Saturday, April 6 at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state. An early opportunity at select trout sites — the spring catch-and-release fishing season — will open Saturday, March 23. No trout may be kept during the catch-and-release period, but anglers can keep trout after the opening of the regular season beginning April 6. The daily harvest limit for each angler is five trout.

All anglers, including those who intend to release fish caught before April 6, must have a fishing license and an inland trout stamp unless exempt.You can find a local vendor or purchase your license/trout stamp online here.

See the listing of stocked sites here.

2024 Fishing Licenses Available Now!

Fishing licenses for the 2024 season are now on sale both online and at your local vendors! These licenses are good until March 31, 2025.

Note: Your 2023 fishing license does not expire until March 31, 2024.

We thank everyone for buying their fishing licenses. The revenue from fishing license sales are used to fund fish management, research and outreach — your purchase directly funds these vital activities.You can find a local vendor or purchase your license online here.

2024 Fishing Digest

The 2024 Fishing Digest can be downloaded now and will be available in your local gas stations and bait shops soon! Here's what's new this year:

  • The site specific sportfish regulation pages have a new, updated design
  • A new Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration page provides details on how the Division of Fisheries is funded
  • A new Sturgeon page describes the differences in the 3 sturgeon found in Illinois, how to identify them, and information about the new Lake Sturgeon Recovery Project in Illinois

Reminder: Fishing licenses for the 2024 fishing season went on sale beginning March 1. These licenses expire March 31, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are here to answer any fishing-related questions you may have. Simply send us an email through our "contact us" and we are happy to provide you with the information you're seeking. We also have a Frequently Asked Question page that you may find helpful. We've compiled a list of some of our most frequently asked questions via email and provided that information for you here. Check it out — you may learn something new about fishing in Illinois!

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species

Remove, Drain, Dry: As the boats come out of storage, we'd like to remind you to be aware of invasive species that pose a threat to our lands and waterways. To fight the spread of aquatic invaders, the IDNR is asking residents to "be a hero transport zero." The best way to stop the spread of invasive species is to remove, drain, and dry your boats after use in any Illinois waterway. Learn more here.