Emerald Bowfin in Illinois
emerald bowfin under the 2026 IDNR digest.
- no statewide rowlimit
- 16 lbs 6 ozrecord
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Rend Lake: Aaron Lucas, CC BY-SA 4.0
What IDNR prints about emerald bowfin
You will look in vain for emerald bowfin among the digest's statewide rows. Any site-specific digest entry for the lake you pick still applies.
The hook and line entry reads 16 lbs 6 oz, Bay Creek, 1992. 7 Illinois water pages carry it, starting with Rend Lake, Thompson Lake (Emiquon) and Horseshoe Lake (Alexander).
Illinois record-book emerald bowfin
| Division | Weight | Water | County | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 16 lbs 6 oz | Bay Creek | Pope County | September 14, 1992 |
| hook and line | 16 lbs 6 oz | Rend Lake | Jefferson County | September 23, 1984 |
| bow and arrow | 14 lbs 1.1 oz | Bluford Lake | Jefferson County | May 21, 2021 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Lakes with an IDNR rating for emerald bowfin
| Lake | IDNR rating | County |
|---|---|---|
| Horseshoe Lake (Alexander) | Excellent | Alexander County |
| Thompson Lake (Emiquon) | Fair | Fulton County |
| Stone Water Park Ponds | Fair | Peoria County |
| Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | Very Good | Putnam County |
| Lyerla Lake (UCFWA) | Very Good | Union County |
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026.
Lakes and pools for Illinois emerald bowfin
Prairie State lake pages naming emerald bowfin
- Rend Lake18,900 acres
- Thompson Lake (Emiquon)4,000 acres
- Horseshoe Lake (Alexander)1,890 acres
- Hennepin-Hopper LakesPutnam County
- Lyerla Lake (UCFWA)275 acres
- Bay Creek Lake110 acres
- Stone Water Park PondsPeoria County
IDNR IFishIllinois outlook ratings and species lists, the IDNR stocking table and IDNR record waters; largest waters first.
The ponds and rivers around Emerald Bowfin, photographed
Photo: Alaina McDavid, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: bradhoc, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tripp, CC BY 2.0
Chasing emerald bowfin across the Prairie State: answers
What is the Illinois daily limit for emerald bowfin?
There is no statewide row; any rule would come from the water's own entry.
Where did the Illinois emerald bowfin record come from?
The hook and line mark is 16 lbs 6 oz (Bay Creek, 1992). No angler is named on the IDNR list.
Which statefishingspots Illinois pages mention emerald bowfin?
See Rend Lake, Thompson Lake (Emiquon) and Horseshoe Lake (Alexander), three of the 7 Illinois pages naming it.
Does the digest print special emerald bowfin rules anywhere?
No site-specific entry names it, though all-fish entries such as pole limits still apply.
Is emerald bowfin in the IDNR stocking table?
It is not in the 2021 to 2026 stocking table.
Which Illinois license covers emerald bowfin?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
How does IDNR split its emerald bowfin records?
Hook and line records, plus a separate bow and arrow list. IDNR lists 3 record rows for it.
Which IDNR outlook grades mention emerald bowfin?
5 lakes, led by Horseshoe Lake (Alexander) at excellent.
Find emerald bowfin near your Illinois base
Start from a water above for its IDNR ramps.