Guide To Great Fishing In Illinois

All about fishing in the Prairie State

Illinois is a haven for fishing enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of fish species to target across its diverse fisheries. Whether you prefer warm water or cold water fishing, or if you enjoy the serenity of fishing in ponds, lakes, or rivers, Illinois has something to offer every angler.

Warm water fisheries in Illinois are abundant and provide opportunities to target popular game fish such as bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and sunfish. Anglers can enjoy casting for largemouth and smallmouth bass, testing their skills and enjoying the thrill of reeling in these powerful fighters. Catfish, including channel catfish and flathead catfish, are also highly sought after in warm water fisheries. Crappie, bluegill, and sunfish provide enjoyable angling experiences for anglers of all skill levels, with many lakes and ponds boasting healthy populations of these panfish species.

Cold water fisheries in Illinois are renowned for their trout and salmon populations. Lake Michigan and its tributaries offer incredible opportunities to target species like chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead trout, and brown trout. Anglers can enjoy the challenge of trolling or casting for these migratory species, and the thrill of landing a trophy-sized fish. Cold water fisheries provide a unique angling experience and attract anglers from far and wide seeking the excitement of battling these powerful fish.

Ponds, lakes, and rivers in Illinois offer diverse fishing experiences. Ponds are often easily accessible and provide opportunities for anglers to catch a variety of species, including bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie. Lakes, both natural and man-made, offer larger bodies of water with a greater variety of fish species. These lakes often feature boat ramps, fishing piers, and other amenities to enhance the angling experience. Rivers in Illinois, such as the Illinois River and the Fox River, offer opportunities for both warm water and cold water fishing. Anglers can target a range of species in these flowing waters, including bass, catfish, walleye, and more.

Whether you prefer the peacefulness of fishing in a secluded pond, the vastness of a lake, or the flowing currents of a river, Illinois provides abundant fishing opportunities. Anglers can explore the state's diverse fisheries and target a variety of fish species, from prized game fish to panfish and everything in between. With its wealth of warm water and cold water fisheries, along with its ponds, lakes, and rivers, Illinois offers an angling paradise for all fishing enthusiasts.

Illinois fishing can be divided into two general areas - Lake Michigan and the rest of the state. On these pages we'll concentrate on the major lakes throughout Illinois. There are also many streams and rivers which offer additional fishing opportunities.

Here, you can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, yellow perch, Atlantic salmon, coho salmon, stripers, bowfin, muskie, northern pike, sauger, saugeye and spotted gar in local lakes, rivers, ponds and/or streams.

Major Illinois Lakes & Species

Fishing lake sizes and locations in the state.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for regulations and details about fishing in Illinois.

Apply here for an Illinois Fishing License.

Enhance your fishing vacation by renting a cabin in Illinois. Another great way to see the state with opportunities for fishing, away from the crowds is by taking a motorhome into backwoods fishing areas.

Visit the section dedicated to activities for kids in Illinois. It is devoted to information about kids fishing with stories, fish photos and tips for where and how to take a kid fishing in Illinois. Please send us your recommendations and we will be happy to consider them for publication.

Fishing in all states