Fishing Licenses
Anglers should have their Illinois Sport Fishing license in possession at all times while fishing. License sales for the year begin on March 1. Annual licenses expire on March 31 each year (i.e., a license purchased on or after March 1, 2025 will expire on March 31, 2026). 3-year licenses expire on March 31 of the 2nd year after the year in which the license was issued.
Illinois Residents:
A resident Sport Fishing license may be obtainedby anyone who has been a resident of Illinois 30days prior to purchase. Residents under 16 years of age, and resident persons declared legally disabled or blind, may fish without a license.
Owners or tenants (if they reside on the land) may fish in waters wholly contained on their property or waters flowing over their lands, within the confines of the property, without a license. This exemption does not apply to club and organizational lakes or lake developments.
Persons on active duty in the Armed Forces areconsidered residents. A person on active duty inthe Armed Forces, who entered the service fromIllinois and is an Illinois resident, may fish without a license while on leave.
* Half-priced licenses available for qualifying resident veterans.
Non-Residents:
Non-Residents of Illinois may purchase sport fishing licenses to fish waters of the state. Non-residents under 16 years of age may fish without a license. All other Non-Resident anglers must purchase Sport Fishing licenses before fishing in Illinois (except on boundary rivers, if licensed in the bordering state). Non-residents in possession of a Sport Fishing license from a state bordering Illinois are not required to have an Illinois Sport Fishing license to fish on the Illinois side of rivers adjoining the state in which they are licensed (see BOUNDARY RIVERS section).
Resident or non-resident anglers who fish at fee fishing areas licensed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are not required to have a license or Inland Trout Stamp.
Current Fees
(Fees subject to change; additional transaction fee may apply)
(Includes Agent's Fees):
Resident
Annual Sport Fishing - $15.00*
65 to 74 years old - $7.75
75 years old and over - $1.50
3-year Sport Fishing - $44.00*
65 to 74 years old - $22.25
75 years old and over - $4.50
Sport fishing (24-hour license) - $5.50
First-Time Sport Fishing License - $5.50**
Lifetime Sport Fishing - $435.00
Annual Sportsmen’s Combination Hunting/Fishing License - $26.50*
3-year Sportsmen’s Combination Hunting/Fishing License. - $77.25*
Annual Senior Sportsmen’s Combination Hunting/Fishing License (65 years old and over) - $13.50
3-year Senior Sportsmen’s Combination Hunting/Fishing License (65 years old and over) - $39.00
Lifetime Sportsmen’s Combination Hunting/Fishing License - $765.
Non-Resident
Annual Non-Resident Sport Fishing - $31.50
3-day Non-Resident Sport Fishing - $15.50
Sport Fishing (24-hour license) - $10.50
Trout and Salmon Stamps ***
Licensed Resident and Non-Resident anglers must have a Salmon Stamp to take salmon or trout in Lake Michigan and Inland Trout Stamp to take trout in Illinois waters other than Lake Michigan.
Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp (annual)
- Licensed anglers only - $6.50
- Licensed Resident; 75 years old and over - $0.50
Inland Trout Stamp (annual)
- Licensed anglers only - $6.50
- Licensed Resident; 75 years old and over - $0.50
* Half-priced licenses available for qualifying resident veterans.
** Must be at least 26 years old and not have had a Resident Sport Fishing license in the past 10 years.
*** Anglers not required to obtain a Sport Fishing License (i.e., resident and non-resident anglers under 16, and qualifying disabled or blind persons) are not required to obtain a Trout or Salmon Stamp.
Lost, Stole, Destroyed License Replacement:
- Licenses purchased via the Internet can be reprinted at no charge by visiting https://www.exploremoreil.com/ Vendor transactions for replacement will incur a fee.
- Replacement licenses, permits and stamps are available for $3 from the Chicago office and the Springfield Public Service area.
- Vendors can issue replacement licenses with aDNR Direct terminal. There is a $3 replacement fee per item plus a small transaction fee.
Disabled or Blind Persons:
In order for disabled or blind persons who areIllinois residents to fish without a license, the person must be able to show proof of disability in the form of one of the following:
- A State disabled person I.D. card (available from the Secretary of State through the driver’s license examining station) showing a Class 2 or Class 2A disability. Applies to Illinois residents only.
- Veterans disability card - (available from theIllinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Office)Resident and Non-Resident veterans who are at least 10% disabled with service-related disabilities or in receipt of total disability pensions may fish with sport fishing devices during any open season without being required to have a license, on the condition that their respective disabilities do not prevent them from fishing in a manner which is safe to themselves and others.
To Purchase an Illinois Fishing License:
Fishing and Combination Hunting/Fishing licenses and stamps can be purchased over the Internet or you can find a local vendor by visiting the Department’s Licensing Page at: https://dnr.illinois.gov/lpr.h... Boat renewals may also be done at this site.
