What will it cost? Calculator
Pick your trip and we'll work out the cheapest licenses to buy, including any required stamps.
Licenses and prices
Checked Nov 4, 2026Prices for 2026-27. Prices include the agent's fee; a small transaction fee may be added.
Where these prices come from: Prices from the 2023 state fishing digest; IDNR's 2026 notice confirms the $15 resident license.
How long annual licenses last: Licenses go on sale March 1 and expire March 31 the following year. Official source
Non-residents (visitors)
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident sport fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $31.50 | Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) |
| Non-resident three-day fishing license | Fresh | 3 days | $15.50 | Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) |
| Non-resident 24-hour fishing license | Fresh | 1 day | $10.50 | Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) |
Residents
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident 24-hour fishing license | Fresh | 1 day | $5.50 | Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) |
| Resident lifetime sport fishing license | Fresh | Lifetime | $435 | Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) |
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Resident sport fishing license Ages 16–64 | Fresh | Annual | $15 | Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) |
| Resident sport fishing license (65-74) Ages 65–74 | Fresh | Annual | $7.75 | Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) |
| Resident sport fishing license (75+) Ages 75+ | Fresh | Annual | $1.50 | Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Resident sportsmen's combination license | Fresh | Annual | $26.50 |
Only for: Includes hunting. Shown for hunters; the calculator quotes the fishing license. Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) |
Extra stamps and permits
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Inland trout stamp
$6.50Fishing for or keeping trout in inland waters (residents 75+: $0.50).
Everyone Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations)
-
Lake Michigan salmon stamp
$6.50Fishing for or keeping trout and salmon in Lake Michigan (residents 75+: $0.50).
Everyone Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations)
Who doesn't need a license
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Anyone under 16
Fresh Everyone Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations)
-
Illinois residents who are legally disabled or blind (carry proof)
Fresh Residents · check this applies to you Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations)
-
Owners or resident tenants fishing waters wholly within their land (not club or organization lakes)
Fresh Everyone · check this applies to you Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations)
-
Illinois residents on active military duty, while on leave
Fresh Residents · check this applies to you Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations)
-
Veterans at least 10% service-disabled, or on a total disability pension
Fresh Residents · check this applies to you Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations)
-
Anglers at licensed fee fishing areas
Fresh Everyone Secondary source: Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations)
-
Anyone, on Illinois Free Fishing Days (license, trout and salmon stamps all waived)
Fresh Everyone Official source
Fishing licenses from other states aren't valid in Illinois, except under the border-water agreements below.
Free fishing days
Checked Nov 4, 2026Dates can move, and some free days are for residents only. Confirm with IDNR before you go.
Next dates not yet announced. Check the official page.
The rule: Four days in June, Friday to Monday, set by IDNR.
License, salmon stamp and inland trout stamp all waived. All other rules apply.
Residents and visitors
Checked Nov 4, 2026- Who counts as a resident
- You can buy a resident sport fishing license if you have lived in Illinois for the 30 days before you buy. (at least 30 days)
- Military
- Active-duty members of the US Armed Forces count as residents. Illinois residents who entered the service from Illinois can fish without a license while on leave.
How to buy a Illinois fishing license
Checked Nov 4, 2026Sold online through ExploreMoreIL and at license vendors.
- Online
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources license sales
- ID needed
- You need a valid Social Security number to buy any license.
Licenses are sold online through ExploreMoreIL and at license vendors. A transaction fee may be added. A license bought online can be reprinted free at exploremoreil.com.
Charters, guides and piers
Checked Nov 4, 2026Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license.
Charter boats on Illinois waters of Lake Michigan need a Department charter boat permit, but it doesn't cover the anglers on board. Illinois has no charter or guide license that does. Passengers need their own Illinois sport fishing license (unless exempt), plus a Lake Michigan salmon stamp to take trout or salmon. The same applies to clients of inland fishing guides. Illinois says fishing guides must hold a passenger-for-hire license.
Charter rules depend on the boat and where you fish. Ask the captain, and check IDNR's rules before you book.
Border waters
Ohio River (Kentucky)
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
Wabash River (Indiana)
Illinois and Indiana officers accept a valid sport fishing license from either state on the Wabash River where it forms the border. If you're licensed in only one state, don't fish beyond the other state's natural river banks or from its land, and don't fish its tributaries, bayous or backwaters. Secondary source: Indiana fishing regulations (eRegulations)
Mississippi River (Missouri)
Under the Illinois-Missouri reciprocal arrangement, anglers properly licensed or exempt in Missouri can fish the flowing waters of the Mississippi in either state, adjacent backwaters and shared oxbow lakes, and from either bank. Follow the rules of the state where you are fishing, and the stricter of the two states' rules when you fish the other state's waters. You need a Missouri license for Missouri tributaries. Missouri's page describes the deal from the Missouri side, so check Illinois guidance before relying on an Illinois license in Missouri waters. Official source
Seasons and limits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Limits change, and many lakes, rivers and coastal areas have their own rules. Check IDNR's current rules before you keep a fish.
Statewide rules from the Illinois Administrative Code (17 Ill. Adm. Code 810.35). Many lakes and rivers have site-specific limits. Limits shown are daily limits.
| Species | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass Fresh Also: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass |
Statewide | No statewide minimum | 6 in total | – |
| Black bass | Streams and rivers (most) | No statewide minimum | 6, no more than 3 smallmouth | – |
| Smallmouth must be released April 1 to June 15 in some rivers. Many lakes have length limits. Official source Largemouth bass limits in other states | ||||
| Walleye, sauger and saugeye Fresh | Statewide | 14" minimum (not on the Mississippi and Wabash rivers) | 6 in total | – |
| Official source Walleye limits in other states | ||||
| Muskellunge and tiger muskie Fresh | Statewide | 36" minimum | 1 | – |
| Official source Muskellunge (muskie) limits in other states | ||||
| Northern pike Fresh | Statewide | 24" minimum (none on the Mississippi River) | 3 | – |
| Official source Northern pike limits in other states | ||||
| Striped, white, yellow and hybrid bass Fresh | Statewide | No limit under 17" | 3 of 17" or longer | – |
| Striped, white, yellow and hybrid bass | Mississippi River (Illinois-Missouri border) | – | 30 of 17" or longer | – |
| Striped, white, yellow and hybrid bass | Mississippi River (Illinois-Iowa border) | – | 25 of 17" or longer | – |
| Official source | ||||
| Crappie Fresh | Statewide | No statewide limit | No statewide limit | – |
| Many lakes have their own crappie limits. Official source Crappie limits in other states | ||||
| Channel catfish Fresh | Statewide | No statewide limit | No statewide limit | – |
| Official source Catfish limits in other states | ||||
| Trout and salmon Fresh | Statewide | – | 5 in total | – |
| Inland trout stamp or Lake Michigan salmon stamp needed. Inland trout seasons open on set dates in spring and autumn. Official source Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Bluegill and sunfish Fresh | Statewide | No statewide limit | No statewide limit | – |
| Official source | ||||
| Paddlefish Fresh | Statewide | – | 2 | – |
| Official source | ||||
Compare Illinois with other states
Neighboring states, side by side: prices, age rules, free days and shared waters.
Questions
Do I need a fishing license in Illinois?
Yes, if you are 16 or older and fish public waters in Illinois, unless an exemption applies. No license is needed for: Anyone under 16.
How much is a non-resident fishing license in Illinois?
For an adult fishing fresh water, the cheapest options for 2026-27 are $10.50 for one day (Non-resident 24-hour fishing license); $31.50 for seven days (Non-resident sport fishing license); $31.50 for a year (Non-resident sport fishing license). Prices include the agent's fee; a small transaction fee may be added.
Do seniors need a fishing license in Illinois?
Senior options for residents: Resident sport fishing license (75+): $1.50 (ages 75+). Non-resident seniors pay the normal non-resident prices.
How do I get a fishing license in Illinois?
Buy it from Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Sold online through ExploreMoreIL and at license vendors.
Do I need a license to fish on a charter in Illinois?
Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license. Charter boats on Illinois waters of Lake Michigan need a Department charter boat permit, but it doesn't cover the anglers on board. Illinois has no charter or guide license that does. Passengers need their own Illinois sport fishing license (unless exempt), plus a Lake Michigan salmon stamp to take trout or salmon. The same applies to clients of inland fishing guides. Illinois says fishing guides must hold a passenger-for-hire license.
Sources and checks
Every fact on this page comes from Illinois Department of Natural Resources unless it's marked secondary. We use a secondary source only when the official site doesn't show something, and we name it.
- Licenses and prices
- Checked Nov 4, 2026 (prices for 2026-27)
- Free fishing days
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
- Seasons and limits
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
All 11 source pages
- dnr.illinois.gov/lpr.html
- fw.ky.gov/Fish/Pages/Reciprocal-Hunting-and-Fishing-Agreements.aspx
- fw.ky.gov/News/Pages/Reciprocal-fishing-and-waterfowl-hunting-agreements-back-in-place.aspx
- ilga.gov/ftp/JCAR/AdminCode/017/017008100000350R.html
- ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/051500050K10-135.htm
- ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/051500050K20-55.htm
- mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/reciprocal-fishing-privileges
- www.eregulations.com/illinois/fishing/regulation-information
- www.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/illinois/iisnewsattachments/32611-061226-06112026-free-fishing-days.pdf.pdf
- Illinois fishing digest (eRegulations) secondary
- Indiana fishing regulations (eRegulations) secondary
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