Illinois Lake Michigan Fishing Regulations
The Lake Michigan (Illinois portion) entry of the 2026 digest, the yellow perch cap and the Salmon Stamp.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Burnham Harbor: bradhoc, CC BY 2.0
Lake Michigan rules for the Illinois shoreline
The digest prints one entry for Lake Michigan (Illinois portion), owned by the State of Illinois and listed for Lake and Cook counties. Its lines below replace the statewide rows on the lake; anything it does not mention follows the statewide table.
| Species as printed | Rule as printed |
|---|---|
| All Fish | All devices used for sport fishing on Lake Michigan must be attended at all times |
| Lake Trout | 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Whitefish or Round Whitefish | 12 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, singly or in the aggregate |
| Large or Smallmouth Bass | 21 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Trout and Salmon | 10 inch Minimum Length Limit; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, singly or in the aggregate, except for Lake Trout |
| Yellow Perch | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (6); Closed May 1 through June 15 |
IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
The perch cap and the stamp rule on Lake Michigan
The daily harvest limit for yellow perch shall not exceed 15 fish in the combined waters of Lake Michigan, Calumet River, and Chicago River including its North Branch, South Branch and the North Shore Channel.
Licensed Resident and Non-Resident anglers must have a Salmon Stamp to take salmon or trout in Lake Michigan and Inland Trout Stamp to take trout in Illinois waters other than Lake Michigan.
IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
Chicago and Lake County harbors on Lake Michigan
- Belmont Harborharbor page
- Burnham Harborharbor page
- Calumet Harborharbor page
- Diversey Harborharbor page
- Jackson Park Harborharbor page
- Montrose Harborharbor page
- Lake Michiganlaunches, lagoons, shoals and records
- Illinois guides and charterscharter captains by harbor
Lake and river scenes for Illinois Lake Michigan Fishing Regulations
Photo: Charles Fulton, CC BY 2.0
Photo: uptowner, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Gary Todd, CC0 1.0
Photo: Tripp, CC BY 2.0
Lake Michigan rule questions for Illinois anglers
Do I need a Salmon Stamp on Lake Michigan?
Yes, to take salmon or trout there; the electronic stamp costs $6.50.
How many lake trout may I keep on the Illinois side?
2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
What is the black bass rule on Lake Michigan?
21 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
How many yellow perch can I keep?
Fifteen a day in the combined waters of Lake Michigan, the Calumet River and the Chicago River with its branches and the North Shore Channel.
Must I stay with my rods?
Yes; the digest says all devices used for sport fishing on Lake Michigan must be attended at all times.
Does the statewide trout and salmon row apply?
The Lake Michigan entry sets its own lines, listed here; where it is silent, the statewide rows apply.
Is the Inland Trout Stamp needed on Lake Michigan?
No; on Lake Michigan the Salmon Stamp is the one required to take salmon or trout.
Where are the Illinois harbors listed?
On Lake Michigan page and the harbor pages linked above, with launches, marinas and lagoons.