Welcome to I Fish Illinois—Illinois DNR Division of Fisheries

Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair!

Come join us for the 34rd Annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, which will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 10AM to 4PM at Pere Marquette State Park. For more than 30 years, the Fishing Fair has been one of Pere Marquette's most popular family events, featuring catch-and-release fishing, casting stations, fishing instruction, information, and entertainment. The event is hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge (administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), and Pere Marquette State park (administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources). Dozens of local businesses and volunteers support the fair.

This is a family friendly and free event! For more information on the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, call Pere Marquette State Park at 618-786-3323, ext. 1.

Illinois Free Fishing Days

The 2023 Illinois Free Fishing Days celebration is slated for June 16–19, coinciding with Father's Day weekend. During this four-day celebration of fishing in Illinois, anglers can fish without purchasing a fishing license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp. Discover the fun of fishing or introduce your kids to the outdoor adventure of fishing during these free fishing days! If you're new to fishing, here's a guide to everything you need to get started. If you need fishing equipment, be sure to check out the Tackle Loaner Program sites.

If you have a group or organization that would like to host a Free Fishing Days Event, fill out the form here.

2023 Fishing Digest Available Now!

The 2023 Fishing Digest can be downloaded now and will be available in your local gas stations and bait shops soon! You will find updated sportfishing regulations for your favorite spots, pictures of common Illinois sportfish, places to fish and amenities offered, current state record fish, and more. NEW this year is a change to the tournament fishing adrule. In an effort to reduce mortality of bass, during the months of July and August, all catch, hold for weigh-in, and release Black Bass Fishing Tournaments must be off the water between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. This regulation will help protect bass during the hottest part of the day through the hottest months of the year, while still allowing for morning and evening tournaments. Effective from April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024, a Spanish verison will be available soon.

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.