Illinois vs Kentucky fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Illinois is $19.50 cheaper than Kentucky. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Illinois is $23.50 cheaper than Kentucky. You need a license from age 16 in Illinois and in Kentucky.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Illinois | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $10.50 | $15 |
| 3 days | $15.50 | $35 |
| 7 days | $31.50 | $35 |
| 1 year | $31.50 | $55 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $15 | $23 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| Illinois | Kentucky | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Resident sport fishing license (75+): $1.50 (ages 75+) | Senior sportsman's license (residents 65 and over): $12 (ages 65+) Senior lifetime sportsman's license (residents 65 and over): $180 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Jun 5–6, 2027 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | – | – |
| Annual licenses last | To March 31 | To 02-28 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Illinois fishing license · Kentucky fishing license
Shared waters
Ohio River (Kentucky) (Illinois rules)
Illinois and Kentucky honor each other's fishing licenses on the main stem of the Ohio River where it forms the border, fishing from a boat or from the other state's bank. Embayments and tributaries are not covered: you need that state's license there. Follow the rules of the state that licensed you, except from the bank, where the rules of the state you're standing in apply. Kentucky residents must use a Kentucky license. The agreement came back into force on 16 October 2025. Official source2
Ohio River (Kentucky rules)
A Kentucky license is valid on the main stem from a boat or from the Illinois, Indiana or Ohio bank, but not in those states' embayments or tributaries. Bank anglers follow the rules of the state they fish from. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Illinois | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Black bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky (spotted) and Coosa bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky (spotted) and Coosa bass |
| Trout |
Trout and salmon |
Rainbow trout Brown trout |
| Walleye |
Walleye, sauger and saugeye |
Walleye, sauger and their hybrids |
| Crappie |
No statewide limit; bag No statewide limit |
Crappie (black and white) |
| Catfish |
Channel catfish |
Channel catfish Blue and flathead catfish |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge and tiger muskie |
Muskellunge |
Questions
Is a Illinois fishing license valid in Kentucky?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Ohio River (Kentucky); Ohio River.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Illinois or Kentucky?
1 day (fresh water): Illinois $10.50, Kentucky $15. 1 year (fresh water): Illinois $31.50, Kentucky $55.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Illinois and Kentucky?
You need a license from age 16 in Illinois and in Kentucky.