Lake Sturgeon in Illinois
Illinois lake sturgeon: limit, record, stocking and waters.
- no possessionlimit
Pick for sturgeonPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of the species, not an Illinois water: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain
lake sturgeon across Illinois water
Look for "Lake Sturgeon" in the digest table to find the lake sturgeon limit. Its text opens: "Protected; No possession." Release every one: the digest says no possession.
Begin with Illinois River, Alton Pool and Illinois River, LaGrange Pool, among 2 Illinois pages that list it. 3,674 went into 2 waters, by the IDNR stocking table.
For the sturgeon herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Bag and length for Illinois lake sturgeon
| Row as printed | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | no statewide size limit printed |
Protected; No possession.
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 10, read November 4, 2026.
Where IDNR stocked lake sturgeon
| Year | Water as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Illinois River – Alton Pool | 2,092 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Illinois River – LaGrange Pool | 1,582 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Illinois water that lists lake sturgeon
Moving water for lake sturgeon
- Illinois River, Alton PoolMorgan County
- Illinois River, LaGrange PoolPeoria County
IDNR IFishIllinois outlook ratings and species lists, the IDNR stocking table and IDNR record waters; largest waters first.
Other Illinois fish beside lake sturgeon
- Shovelnose Sturgeonno statewide row
Timber, cornfield and water around Lake Sturgeon through a lens
Photo: Alaina McDavid, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: chumlee10, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: bradhoc, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tripp, CC BY 2.0
lake sturgeon questions from cornfield ponds to the big river
What does IDNR allow per day for lake sturgeon?
Not one. IDNR lists it as protected with no possession.
Does IDNR list a record lake sturgeon?
IDNR lists no record for it.
Which Prairie State lake holds lake sturgeon?
Start at Illinois River, Alton Pool and Illinois River, LaGrange Pool; 2 pages carry it.
Do any Illinois waters set their own lake sturgeon rule?
The site-specific list leaves it alone, apart from all-fish gear entries.
Were lake sturgeon stocked in Illinois recently?
3,674 went into 2 waters in 2025.
How much is an Illinois license to fish for lake sturgeon?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Is there a bow record for lake sturgeon in Illinois?
IDNR runs two lists: hook and line and bow and arrow.
What does the IDNR outlook say about lake sturgeon?
No IDNR fishing outlook on a lake page here rates it.
Line up a day on Illinois lake sturgeon
Each water above lists its ramps and site-specific rules on its own page.