Illinois Fish Species
62 Illinois fish with 2026 IDNR digest limits, IDNR stocking rows, state records and the waters where IDNR rates them.
Photo of Lake Michigan: D.L, CC BY-SA 2.0
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B
- Bighead Carp
- Bigmouth Buffalo
- Black Buffalo
- Black Bullhead
- Black Crappie
- Blue Catfish
- Bluegill
- Brook Trout
- Brown Bullhead
- Brown Trout
- Burbot
C
E
F
G
H
L
M
N
P
R
S
- Sauger
- Saugeye
- Shorthead Redhorse
- Shortnose Gar
- Shovelnose Sturgeon
- Silver Carp
- Silver Redhorse
- Skipjack Herring
- Smallmouth Bass
- Smallmouth Buffalo
- Spotted Bass
- Spotted Gar
- Steelhead
- Striped Bass
T
W
Y
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Photo: Seclusive Nature, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Charles Fulton, CC BY 2.0
Photo: bradhoc, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tripp, CC BY 2.0
Land of Lincoln species list, reader questions
How many Illinois fish have a page?
62, each with a statewide digest row, an IDNR stocking row, a Lake Michigan rule or a state record.
Where do the Illinois limits come from?
The 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest: 13 statewide rows plus site-specific rules for 441 waters.
Who keeps the Illinois state records?
IDNR, in a hook and line division and a bow and arrow division; the list prints no angler names.
Why do bass pages repeat one limit?
The digest sets one combined daily limit of six for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.
Do Lake Michigan limits differ?
Yes. Lake Michigan has its own digest entry, such as 2 lake trout a day and a 21-inch minimum for black bass.
Can I keep a lake sturgeon in Illinois?
No. The statewide row allows no possession of lake sturgeon.
Is paddlefish covered?
Yes, with the statewide row and the 2026 change on the Illinois River that counts every paddlefish landed.
Why does my Illinois fish have no page?
It needs a digest row, a stocking row, a Lake Michigan rule or a state record before it gets one.
Moving on from the Illinois species list
- Illinois waters from A to Zlakes, ponds, river pools, counties, towns and fish together
- Illinois licenses and limitsIDNR fees, stamps and the 13 statewide digest rows
- Site-specific watersall 441 digest entries that change a statewide rule
- Lake Michigan rules and stampssalmon stamp, perch closure and the 21-inch bass rule
- Boundary riversMississippi, Ohio and Wabash reciprocity
- Free Fishing Daysfour June days with no license or stamp
- Illinois record fishhook and line plus bow and arrow
- IDNR stocking tablesix years of hatchery rows by water
- Catchable trout programspring and fall openers and the Inland Trout Stamp
- Gauges and pool readingsUSGS live, Corps and NOAA dated
- Lake MichiganChicago and Lake County harbors, lagoons and launches
- Boat rampsIDNR map launches with a page
- Fishing piersIDNR asset-inventory piers
- Tackle loaner sitesfree rods at libraries and park offices
- Bait and tackle shopsstores and marinas in three groupings
- Guides and chartersLake Michigan charters and inland guides
- TournamentsBFL, B.A.S.S. Nation and IHSA dates and winners