Illinois

Fishing

Illinois › Fishing › Fishing Limits by Location H-K

Fishing Limits by Location H-K

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Site Specific Sportfishing Regulations

Site Specific Regulations are listed by water area affected. The coverage of the regulation is dictated by the extent of the water area(s) listed and not by the county. In some cases, regulations for a given water area or site may extend beyond the counties listed. The listed counties refer to the location of the dam or outfall for impoundments or mouths of small streams. Since large rivers or streams usually flow through many counties, the term “Multiple” is used rather than listing all counties where the large stream or river flows. If a water area is not listed, or if a specific species is not listed, then statewide regulations apply. Check the bulletin boards at the specific site for any emergency changes to regulations.

Various special regulations are used by fisheries managers to protect the fishery. A Minimum Length Limit means that fish less than a designated length must be released immediately. A Protected Slot Length Limit means that fish within a designated length range must be released immediately. A Daily Harvest Limit means that no more than the designated limit of fish may be taken daily.

The Daily Harvest Limit applies to all species listed for the regulation added together (i.e., in the aggregate). For example, Large or Smallmouth Bass - 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit means that only 3 Largemouth Bass, or 3 Smallmouth Bass, or a 3 fish combination of the two species (e.g., 2 Largemouth Bass and 1 Smallmouth Bass) may be taken.

Site Specific Regulation Code Definitions provide clarification regarding additional restrictions or special provisions listed in numbered parentheses [e.g., (2)] within the Site-Specific Regulations water areas.

Sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached (Alabama rigs not allowed) while fishing, except that legal size cast nets (in accordance with Section 810.50(a)(2)), shad scoops, and minnow seines may be used to obtain shad, minnows and crayfish to use as bait, provided that they are not sold, and except that bullfrogs may be taken by hand, gig, pitchfork, spear, landing net and hook and line during bullfrog season.
Sport fishermen may not use a minnow seine, minnow trap, cast net or shad scoop for bait collecting in the following water areas:Charleston Lower Channel Lake tailwaters from that portion of the Embarras River from the Charleston Lower Channel Lake Dam downstream to the Route 130 Bridge.Clinton Lake tailwaters from that portion of Salt Creek from the Clinton Dam downstream to the Route 10 BridgeCook County Forest Preserve District Waters (except in the Des Plaines River) Lake Decatur tailwaters from that portion of the Sangamon River from the Lake Decatur Dam downstream to the Route 48 Bridge.
All jugs set in a body of water shall be under the immediate supervision of the fisherman. Immediate supervision shall be defined as the fisherman being on the water where the jugs are set and readily available to identify jugs to law enforcement officers.
When using live bait, all live bait in excess of 8" in total length shall be rigged with a quick set rig. The hook shall be immediately set upon the strike. A quick set rig is defined as follows: a live bait rig with up to 2 treble hooks attached anywhere on the live bait; single hooks are prohibited. This subsection does not apply to trotlines, jug lines, etc., if allowed on the lake.
Sport fishermen may take carp, carpsuckers, buffalo, gar, bowfin and suckers by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices.
The daily harvest limit for yellow perch shall not exceed 15 fish in the combined waters of Lake Michigan, Calumet River, and Chicago River including its North Branch, South Branch and the North Shore Channel.
It shall be illegal to possess trout during the period of October 1 to 5 a.m. on the third Saturday in October (both dates inclusive) that were caught during that period.
It shall be illegal to possess trout during the period of March 15 to 5 a.m. on the 1st Saturday in April (both dates inclusive) that were caught during that period.
Catch and Release Fishing Only means that fish (all or listed species) caught must be immediately released alive and in good condition back into the water from which they came.
The 48 inch total length limit on pure muskellunge applies to that body of water listed as well as any tailwaters as defined below: Evergreen Lake (McLean County) – including the portion of Six Mile Creek below the Evergreen Lake Dam downstream to its confluence with the Mackinaw River. Fox Chain O' Lakes (Lake/McHenry Counties) – including the Fox River south of the Wisconsin-Illinois boundary to the Algonquin Dam and the Nippersink Creek upstream to the Wilmot Road Bridge. Kinkaid Lake (Jackson County) – including the portion of Kinkaid Creek below the Kinkaid Lake Dam downstream to the Route 149 Bridge. Lake Shelbyville (Moultrie/Shelby Counties) – including the portion of the Kaskaskia River below the Lake Shelbyville Dam downstream to the State Route 128 Road Bridge near Cowden. Otter Lake (Macoupin County) – including the portion of Otter Creek below Otter Lake Dam downstream to its confluence with East Otter Creek. Pierce Lake (Winnebago County) – including the portion of Willow Creek below the Pierce Lake Dam downstream to Forest Hills Road.
It shall be unlawful to enter upon a designated duck hunting area between sunset of the Sunday immediately preceding opening day of regular duck season through the day before regular duck season and Canada goose season as posted at the site, or to fish on such areas during the regular duck season except in areas posted as open to fishing. It shall be unlawful to enter upon areas designated as waterfowl rest areas or refuges from two weeks prior to the start of the regular duck season through the end of duck and Canada goose season.
It shall be unlawful to trespass upon a designated waterfowl hunting area during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season, or to fish on such areas during the regular duck and Canada goose season except in areas posted as open to fishing. It shall be unlawful to trespass upon areas designated as waterfowl rest areas or refuges from 2 weeks prior to the start of the regular duck season through the end of duck and Canada goose season.
It shall be unlawful to enter upon areas designated as waterfowl hunting areas during the 10 days prior to the start of the regular duck season, or to fish on such areas during the regular duck season except in areas posted as open to fishing. It shall be unlawful to enter upon areas designated as waterfowl rest areas or refuges from 10 days prior to the start of the regular duck season through the end of duck and Canada goose season.

Statewide Sportfishing Regulations are enforced in addition to each area’s Site Specific Regulations

Hanover Lake Apple River Canyon State Park • Jo Daviess

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Harrisburg New City Reservoir City of Harrisburg • Saline

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Heidecke Lake Heidecke Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area • Grundy

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (13)

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Pure Muskellunge 48 inch Minimum Length Limit
Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 Fish greater than or equal to 17 inches
Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Helmbold Slough State of Illinois • Calhoun

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (11)

Henderson Creek State Fish And Wildlife Area State of Illinois • Henderson

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12)

Hennepin Canal – Mainline & Feeder Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park • Multiple

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Jug fishing is permitted from sunset to sunrise and carp and buffalo may be taken by bow and arrow devices from May 1 through September 30; All jugs must have owner’s/user’s name and complete address affixed
Large or Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit
Trout Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8)

Hennepin-Hopper Lakes The Wetlands Initiative • Putnam

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Pure Muskellunge 42 inch Minimum Length Limit
Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Heritage Quarries City of Lemont • Cook

(Great Lakes Quarry and Consumers Quarry)

Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Herrin Lake #1 City of Herrin • Williamson

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Herschel Lake (Formerly Tilton City Lake) Village of Tilton • Vermilion

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Heyworth Centennial Lake City of Heyworth • McLean

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Hidden Springs State Forest Ponds Hidden Springs State Forest • Shelby

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Hieland Lakes Kankakee River Valley Forest Preserve District • Kankakee

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 15 inches; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 15 inches

Highland Old City Lake City of Highland • Madison

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Trout Fall Closed Season (7)

Hillsboro Old City Lake City of Hillsboro • Montgomery

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 15 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Homer Guthrie Pond/Illini Pond Eldon Hazlet State Park • Clinton

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Homer Lake Champaign County Forest Preserve District • Champaign

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit

Hormel Pond Donnelley/DePue State Fish and Wildlife Area • Bureau

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit

Horseshoe Lake – Alexander County Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area • Alexander

Recreational Use Restrictions Only trolling motors in refuge from October 15 through March 1

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5)

Horseshoe Lake – Madison County Horseshoe Lake State Park • Madison

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (11)

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5). Trotlines must be set within 300 feet from shore
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Horsetail Lake Cook County Forest Preserve District • Cook

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (2)
Bluegill, Redear, or Pumpkinseed Sunfish 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Trout Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8)
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Horton Lake Nauvoo State Park • Hancock

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Trout Fall Closed Season (7); Early season Catch and Release Fishing is permitted (9), Spring Closed Season (8); Early season Catch and Release Fishing is permitted (9)

Humbolt Park Lagoon Chicago Park District • Cook

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 4 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Hurricane Pond Fox Ridge State Park • Coles

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Illinois & Michigan Canal State of Illinois • Grundy/LaSalle/Will

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit
Trout Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8)

Illinois Beach State Park Ponds Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park • Lake

(Except See Sand Pond)

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Illinois Department of Transportation Lake State of Illinois • Sangamon

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit
Trout Fall Closed Season (7); Early season Catch and Release Fishing is permitted (9), Spring Closed Season (8); Early season Catch and Release Fishing is permitted (9)

Illinois River State of Illinois • Multiple

Large or Smallmouth Bass 12 inch Minimum Length Limit

Illinois River – Pool 26 State of Illinois • Calhoun

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (11)

Illinois River – Starved Rock Pool State of Illinois • LaSalle

Large or Smallmouth Bass 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Indian Boundary South Pond Frankfort Square Park District • Will

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Iroquois & Kankakee Rivers And Their Tributaries State of Illinois • Multiple

Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches

Island Pond Boone County Conservation District • Boone

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Jackson Park Lagoon/Columbia Basin Chicago Park District • Cook

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 4 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Jericho Lake Fox Valley Park District • Kane

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Jim Edgar/Panther Creek State Fish And Wildlife Area – All Lakes And Ponds

Jim Edgar/Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area • Cass

(Except See Drake Lake and Gridley Road Lake)

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Pure Muskellunge 48 inch Minimum Length Limit

Jim Edgar/Panther Creek State Fish And Wildlife Area – Drake Lake Jim Edgar/Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area • Cass

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Jim Edgar/Panther Creek State Fish And Wildlife Area – Gridley Road Lake Jim Edgar/Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area • Cass

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Trout Fall Closed Season (7); Early season Catch and Release Fishing is permitted (9), Spring Closed Season (8); Early season Catch and Release Fishing is permitted (9)

Johnson-Sauk Trail Lake & Pond Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area • Henry

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit

Jones Park Lake City of East St. Louis • St. Clair

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Trout Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8)

Jubilee College State Park Pond Jubilee College State Park • Peoria

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Kane County Forest Preserve District Lakes And Ponds Kane County Forest Preserve District • Kane

Bluegill 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Largemouth Bass Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 14 inches and less than 18 inches; 4 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and 3 Fish less than 14 inches
Northern Pike 24 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Smallmouth Bass Catch and Release Fishing Only (9)
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Kankakee & Iroquois Rivers And Their Tributaries State of Illinois • Multiple

Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches

Kankakee River State of Illinois • Multiple

(From The Kankakee Dam to The Wilmington Dam on The Kankakee River, Including Tributaries)

Smallmouth Bass Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 18 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and 2 Fish less than 12 inches

Kaskaskia River State Fish And Wildlife Area – Doza Creek State of Illinois • St. Clair

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12)

Kent Creek State of Illinois • Winnebago

Trout Catch and Release Fishing Only (9)

Kickapoo State Park Lakes & Ponds Kickapoo State Recreational Area • Vermilion

(Except See Clear Lake)

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and 2 Fish less than 15 inches

Kincaid City Lake City of Kincaid • Christian

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit

King Park Lagoon City of Pittsfield • Pike

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Trout Spring Closed Season (8)

Kinkaid Lake Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Are • Jackson

All Fish All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4)
Large or Smallmouth Bass 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Pure Muskellunge 48 inch Minimum Length Limit (10)
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches

Kinmundy City Lake City of Kinmundy • Marion

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit

Kinmundy Reservoir City of Kinmundy • Marion

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5)
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Largemouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit

Kishwaukee River and South Branch of Kishwaukee River and Tributaries State of Illinois • Multiple

Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit