Paddlefish in Illinois
Daily limit, record and water pages for Illinois paddlefish.
- 2 a daylimit
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paddlefish in the Prairie State
IDNR lists paddlefish under the digest row "Paddlefish". As printed, it starts: "Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish."
Local digest entries for 2 waters mention it, Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) and Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) included.
How many paddlefish may leave Illinois water
| Row as printed | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Paddlefish | 2 | no statewide size limit printed |
Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri.
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 10, read November 4, 2026.
Illinois waters with their own paddlefish wording
| Water as printed | County | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Paddlefish | 33 inch (Eye to Fork) Maximum Length Limit (all Paddlefish greater than or equal to 33 inches must be immediately released back to the Mississippi River); 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit. Snagging for Paddlefish is permitted from one half hour b | |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Paddlefish | 24 inch (Eye to Fork) Minimum Length Limit; 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit. Snagging for Paddlefish is permitted from September 15 through December 15 and March 15 through May 15 within a 300 yard downstream limit below locks and dams on the Mi | |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Limit; Paddlefish less than | 24 inches eye to fork length must be to returned immediately to the water. |
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
Lakes and river bends close to Paddlefish, in pictures
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: edward stojakovic, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Robert Lampros, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: D.L, CC BY-SA 2.0
paddlefish in Illinois: replies for anglers
What daily take of paddlefish does Illinois permit?
Daily: 2 a day. Length: no statewide size limit printed. Some waters print their own, stricter wording.
What is the Illinois record paddlefish?
The IDNR record book has no entry for it.
Which Illinois lakes list paddlefish?
None of the Illinois lake or stream pages carry it at present.
Where does the paddlefish rule change in Illinois?
Yes, on 2 waters, for example Mississippi River (Between IL & IA).
How many paddlefish did IDNR stock?
No 2021 to 2026 stocking row lists it.
Which IDNR license lets me keep paddlefish?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Which IDNR list would a record paddlefish go on?
IDNR keeps a hook and line division and a bow and arrow division.
Which Illinois lakes does IDNR rate highly for paddlefish?
None of the IDNR lake outlooks grade it.
Pick a Prairie State lake for paddlefish
The waters above each show access and limits.