Learn the Illinois fishing license rules before your next angling adventure!
From riverbanks and reservoirs to large lakes, Illinois offers something for every angler. But it’s important to make sure you’re following the state’s fishing license rules before you head out on the water to fish in Illinois.
The most important thing to know is that anyone 16 or older must have a license to fish. You must have either a physical license or electronic copy with you each time you go fishing. However, there are specific exemptions to this rule depending on whether you’re a resident or non-resident.
Residents
The following categories of Illinois residents can fish without a license. To be considered a resident, you must have a resident in Illinois 30 days before purchasing your license.
Non-Residents
There are only two exemptions from the fishing license requirement for non-residents:
Also, you don’t need a license to fish on one of the state’s Free Fishing Days. Each year, the Department of Natural Resources will announce these days.
Illinois overs several different types of sport fishing licenses depending on your residency, age and duration of your planned fishing trip. Some of the most common fishing license types and the 2021 fees are as follows. The fees collected through license sales are used to help fund three state fish hatcheries.
Residents
The annual license and sportsmen’s license are half price for qualifying resident veterans.
Non-Residents
License sales for the year begin on March 1 and expire on March 31 of the following year.
The most convenient way to buy an Illinois fishing license is online at the Department of Natural Resources website. Any license purchased online can also be reprinted at no charge.
There are other options for purchasing your Illinois fishing license as well. You can buy your license from an approved Department of Natural Resources license and permit vendor throughout the state. The Department of Natural Resources has a list of these on its website. These vendors can also issue replacement licenses for a $3 replacement fee per item plus a small transaction fee.
IL FISHING LAWS & REGULATIONS
Illinois has its own set of fishing laws and regulations that need to be followed in order to protect their fish populations
IL FISHING REGULATIONSRESPONSIBLE FISHING STARTS WITH YOU
Learn how you can start protecting our aquatic natural resources.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CONSERVATION THE IMPORTANCE OF FISHING REGULATIONS CATCH AND RELEASE BEST PRACTICESIL FISHING RESOURCES/INFO
Additional resources and information can be found directly on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources site.
FISHING TYPES & LICENSE FEES BUY YOUR ILLINOIS FISHING LICENSE ONLINE