Welcome to I Fish Illinois—Illinois DNR Division of Fisheries





2023 Spring Trout Season
Spring Fever has hit Illinois! The Spring Trout Season will open Saturday, April 1, at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state. An early opportunity at select sites, the Spring Catch-and-Release Season, opens March 18.
As a reminder, as we are starting to stock the sites for the 2023 spring trout season, no trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites from March 13 until the season opens at 5:00 a.m. April. Trout stamps and licenses for the 2023 season are available online here: https://www.exploremoreil.com.
2023 Fishing Licenses On Sale Now!
Fishing licenses for the 2023 season are now on sale both online and at your local vendors! These licenses are good until March 31, 2024. Your 2022 fishing license does not expire until March 31, 2023.
We thank everyone for buying their fishing licenses. You can find a local vendor or purchase your license online 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.
In the News
- Spring Trout Season
- 2023 Sport Shows and Events
- Lake Michigan Charter Fishing
- Lake Michigan Newsletter
- Fisheries Blog
- Alligator Gar Update
- Asian Carp Market Value Program
- Asian Carp Business Process Analysis/Action Plan
- Strategic Plan 2017 – 2022
- Closure Notices
- Carp Identification
- Asian Carp (www.asiancarp.us)
Fishing Basics
Fishing Tacklebox
- 2023 Fishing Regulations
- 2022 Fishing Regulations
- 2022 Fishing Regulations — Spanish
- Tournament Permitting System
- Public Fishing Tournaments
- Public Youth Fishing Tournaments
- Boating Information
- Boating FAQs
- Fishing Awards/State Records
- Lake Management Reports
- Private Pond Information
- ADA Accessible Sites
- FAQs
How Do I?
- Buy a Fishing License
- Reprint an Online License
- Apply for a Group Fishing Permit
- Apply for a Fishing Tournament
- Register/Renew My Watercraft
- Contact My District Biologist
- Contact a Conservation Police Officer
- Reserve a Campsite or Shelter
- Stock My Pond
- Become a Lake Michigan Sportfishing Charter Operator
- Check if I Caught a State Record Fish