Welcome to I Fish Illinois—Illinois DNR Division of Fisheries

Warmer Temperatues Delay Illinois Fall Trout Stocking

The stocking of catchable trout for the fall season is on hold until water temperatures are more suitable for the trout, the IDNR announced October 8th. Unusually warm weather in Illinois has delayed the cooling of lakes and ponds across the state and trout stocked in waters warmer than 68 degrees could experience high mortality. IDNR biologists are monitoring water temperatures statewide, and stocking will proceed as soon as conditions allow, incorporating the early-season fish into the regular fall stocking schedule. Sites are expected to be stocked by Oct. 31.

While the official opening date for the fall trout season remains Saturday, October 18, anglers should be aware that trout will not be present at many sites on opening day. Stocking will proceed as soon as conditions allow. Updates and more information can be found here.

Mississippi River Announcement

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces the closure of the Park-N-Fish Recreation Area, located near Hull, Illinois, off Highway 106, starting July 7. The closure is anticipated to last through 2026.

This temporary closure is necessary to facilitate construction of a Fish Passage Improvement Project at Lock and Dam 22, which will improve fish migration and support a healthier river ecosystem.

During the closure, the recreation area and access to the spillway will be unavailable to the public. For more information, contact the Muscatine Ranger Station at 563-263-7913.

Illinois Lake Sturgeon Recovery Program

Lake Sturgeon are a state-endangered species and may not be harvested by any means in the State of Illinois. Due to the decline in Lake Sturgeon populations in most of its native range within the Mississippi River Basin (MRB) over the last century, several MRB states, including Illinois, have implementated recovery and management programs.

The IDNR Division of Fisheries acquired 11,000 Mississippi-strain juvenile Lake Sturgeon with the purpose of stocking Lake Sturgeon in the Illinois portions of the Mississippi River and its tributaries in 2023. The mission of the Illinois Lake Sturgeon Recovery Program is to re-establish a sustainable population of a state-endangered species in suitable waters within the State of Illinois. If this plan is successful, it could provide a new sport fishing opportunity to Illinois anglers in the future. Read more about this program here: Lake Sturgeon Recovery Program.

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.