Menu Icon: close
Menu Icon
Select a state to find fishing and boating information:
Home >   Illinois >  

Fishing

Fishing in Illinois

Illinois offers great fishing opportunities for all anglers with more than 1.6 million acres of surface water, including Lake Michigan. Find places where to go fishing in Illinois, fishing hot spots and more information.

Get Your Illinois Fishing License Get More Info About Fishing Licenses

Top Fishing Spots in Illinois

Best Place to Fish & Boat
Middle Fork River
Kickapoo State Recreation Area is one fishing destination that isn't to be missed. Campgrounds, trails, scuba diving and more make this an all-in-one family getaway.
Best Place to Fish & Boat
Mud Lake West
Fish for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and more in three natural lakes.
Johnson Sauk Trail Lake
This Park has a 58-acre lake with excellent populations of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and bullhead.
map

PLACES TO BOAT AND FISH NEARBY

VIEW MAP
icon

Learn How To Get An Illinois Fishing License

Get Fishing License Info
Fishing Articles
A family ice fishing with young kids
Debbie Hanson
Ice Fishing Basics: 5 Guidelines to Get You Started
Dec 14, 2022
Photo of Lake Superior Minnesota
Debbie Hanson
5 Tips for Winter Trout Fishing in the Great Lakes
Dec 12, 2022
Young lady fishing
Debbie Hanson
Want 4 Tips on How to Catch Bass in the Winter?
Dec 07, 2022
Lake covered with ice and snow
Debbie Hanson
How Do Fish Survive in Frozen Lakes?
Dec 20, 2022
COMMON CATCHES IN Illinois
Walleye

Walleye

Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic Salmon

Muskellunge

Muskellunge

White Bass

White Bass

Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Lake Trout

Lake Trout

ILLINOIS FISHING TIPS AND INFORMATION
HOW TO ICE FISH
HOW TO ICE FISH

This is a cold weather fishing method where anglers go fishing during the winter months.

READ MORE
HOW TO FLY FISH
HOW TO FLY FISH

This unique entry among fishing methods is easy to learn. Learn how to start fly fishing.

READ MORE
FISHING LAKES AND PONDS
FISHING LAKES AND PONDS

Learn the importance of structures for the best freshwater fishing in lakes and ponds.

READ MORE
Featured Articles
Young woman hiking with her dog
Blog / Sunshine Sol
Outdoor Activities That Support Female Empowerment
Mar 02, 2023
Woman holding fish
Blog / Melissa Ceren LPCC, M.Ed., Ed.S.
Travel Fly Fishing Tips
Nov 29, 2023
Photo of fishing rods on boat
Blog / Debbie Hanson
5 Best Saltwater Fishing Knots for Florida Inshore Trips
Jan 09, 2024
A boat at dusk
Blog / Jeff Bogle
The 7 Health Benefits of Boating
Jan 24, 2024