Illinois

Fishing

Illinois › Fishing › Fishing Limits by Location P-R

Fishing Limits by Location P-R

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Last Updated: February 2, 2023

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

Palmisano Pond/Stearns Park Quarry Chicago Park District • Cook

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Catch and Release Fishing Only (9)

Palmyra – Modesto Water Commission Lake Palmyra/Modesto Water Commission • Macoupin

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

Pana Lake City of Pana • Shelby/Christian

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
Pure Muskellunge 48 inch Minimum Length Limit

Paris East & West Lakes City of Paris • Edgar

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

Patriot’s Park Lake Kingsbury Park District • Bond

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)

Peabody River King, Pit #3 Lakes And Ponds Peabody River King State Fish and Wildlife Area • St. Clair

(Except See Willow Lake)

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; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Pecatonica River and Tributaries State of Illinois • Winnebago/Stephenson

Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit

Perry Farm Pond Bourbonnais Park District • Kankakee

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

Piasa State of Illinois • Madison/Jersey

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (11)

Pierce Lake Rock Cut State Park • Winnebago

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).Sport fishermen may take carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears during May and June
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Pure Muskellunge 48 inch Minimum Length Limit (10)
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Pinckneyville City Lake City of Pinckneyville • Perry

Large or Smallmouth Bass 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Pine Creek State of Illinois • Ogle

(Within The Boundaries of White Pines Forest State Park)

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Smallmouth Bass 14 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)

Pine Lake Village of University Park • Will

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

Piscasaw Creek State of Illinois • McHenry

Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit
Trout Spring Closed Season (8)

Pittsfield Lake City of Pittsfield • Pike

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
Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Pittsfield Lake Ball Park Pond City of Pittsfield • Pike

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

Pocahontas Park Ponds City of Pocahontas • Bond

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

Ponderosa Lake Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area • Kankakee

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12)

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
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Powerton Lake Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area • Tazewell

Recreational Use Restrictions Powerton Lake shall be closed to boat traffic except for legal waterfowl hunters from one week prior to regular waterfowl season to February 15, and closed to all unauthorized entry during regular Canada goose and duck season.

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Blue, Channel, or Flathead Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 35 inches
Large or Smallmouth Bass 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest 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 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Prospect Park Pond City of Moline • Rock Island

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Trout Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8)

Pyramid State Park Lakes & Ponds Pyramid State Park • Perry

(Excluding Captain, Denmark, Galum and East Conant Areas)

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Pyramid State Recreation Area State of Illinois • Perry

Blue Wing Lake, Green Wing Lake, Goldeneye Lake and Mallard Lake

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (from November 1 through February 28/29 fishing is permitted in designated areas only, and fishing hours are from one half hour before sunrise to 2 p.m.).

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Pure Muskellunge 48 inch Minimum Length Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Pyramid State Recreation Area State of Illinois • Perry

Captain, Denmark, Galum, and East Conant Areas (Except Blue Wing, Green Wing, Goldeneye, And Mallard Lakes)

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (all use other than waterfowl hunting prohibited from November 1 through February 28/29)

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Pure Muskellunge 48 inch Minimum Length Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Raccoon Lake City of Centralia • Marion

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

Ramsey Lake Ramsey Lake State Recreational Area • Fayette

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
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Ramsey Lake State Recreational Area Ponds Ramsey Lake State Recreational Area • Fayette

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

Randolph County Lake Randolph County State Recreation Area • Randolph

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; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Trout Fall Closed Season (7)

Red Hills Lake Red Hills State Park • Lawrence

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

Red’s Landing Wildlife Management Area State of Illinois • Calhoun

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (11) (Access to walk-in area closed 7 days prior to duck season)

Redwing Slough/Deer Lake State of Illinois • Lake

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12)

Rend Lake U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Franklin/Jefferson

Including Its Tributary Streams and Those Portions of The Big Muddy And Casey Fork Rivers Up to The Rend Lake Project Boundaries, Does Not Include Tailwaters (Except See Rend Lake Project Ponds and Rend Lake Tailwaters)

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12)

All Fish All jugs must be attended at all times (3)
Large or Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit
Striped, White, Yellow, or Hybrid
Striped Bass 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 Fish greater than or equal to 17 inches
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches

Rend Lake Project Ponds U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Franklin/Jefferson

Jackie Branch Pond, Ina N. Borrow Pit, Green Heron Pond, North Marcum Campground Pond, and Catfish Cove Pond

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 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Rend Lake Tailwaters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Franklin

(Big Muddy River Within 1000 Yards Downstream of The Rend Lake Dam and Spillway)

All Fish Sport fishermen may not use a minnow seine, cast net, or shad scoop for bait collecting

Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area State of Illinois • Fulton

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12)

All Fish Sport fishermen may harvest carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears from May 1 through August 31
Large or Smallmouth Bass 12 inch Minimum Length Limit

Ridge Lake Fox Ridge State Park • Coles

Recreational Use Restrictions Bank fishing is prohibited. Boat fishing is permitted May 1 through August 31 during the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. See site for additional regulations and exact opening and closing dates

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

Riis Park Lagoon Chicago Park District • Cook

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

Riprap Landing State of Illinois • Calhoun

Recreational Use Restrictions Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (11)

River Bend Forest Preserve Lakes Champaign County Forest Preserve District • Champaign

(Sunset Lake and Shadow Lake)

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish 15 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
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Riverside Park Lagoon Moline Park District • Rock Island

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

Rochester Park Pond City of Rochester • Sangamon

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

Rock Creek State of Illinois • Kankakee

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

Rock Cut Kids Fishing Pond Rock Cut State Park • Winnebago

Recreational Use Restrictions Only youth under 16 years of age permitted to fish

All Fish 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Bluegill, Redear, or Hybrid Sunfish 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Rock River State of Illinois • Rock Island

(From The Sears and Steel Dam Downstream to Confluence of The Mississippi River)

Walleye 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches
Walleye or Sauger 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Walleye greater than or equal to 27 inches

Rock River State of Illinois • Multiple

(Wisconsin State Line Downstream to Confluence of The Mississippi River, Including Tributaries)

Smallmouth Bass 14 inch Minimum Length Limit

Rock Springs Bike Trail Pond Macon County Conservation District • Macon

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

Rock Springs Cattail Pond Macon County Conservation District • Macon

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
Trout Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8)

Roodhouse Park Lake City of Roodhouse • Greene

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

Ross Lake Walnut Park District • Bureau

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

Route 154 Day Use Pond State of Illinois • Randolph

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

Route 6 Quarries (East and West) Will County Forest Preserve District • Will

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 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit