Illinois Boundary River Fishing Rules

Each state will recognize the sport fishing licenses and appropriate permits of the other state on the main stem and from the banks of the Ohio River, excluding embayments and tributaries where the Ohio River forms the state boundary. Embayments and tributaries shall be defined as a straight line between opposite points where the tributary or embayment connects with the main body of the Ohio River. The fishing regulations adopted by the state issuing a sport fishing license apply to the licenses when fishing each state’s respective waters, except that, all fishermen shall conform with the regulations of the state in which they are fishing, unless the regulations of the fishermen’s licensing state are more restrictive, then the fishermen must conform with the more restrictive regulations. The regulations of the state where the sport fishing is occurring apply, if the licensee is fishing from the bank. Wildlife law enforcement officials of either state shall have the right to inspect the licenses, harvest limits, creel limits, and equipment of any person on the Ohio River subject to the laws of either state. Officers of Illinois and Kentucky will recognize and accept valid sport fishing licenses of either state when legally possessed and used on the main stem of the Ohio River, excluding embayments and tributaries.