Illinois

Prairie State Fishing — Surprising Bass, Crappie & Catfish

Fishing in Illinois

Illinois offers excellent fishing across its many lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. The state has quality largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and channel catfish fishing, plus Great Lakes salmon and trout.

Tournament Scene

Active tournament scene on lakes throughout the state. Lake Michigan hosts salmon tournaments.

Local Tips

Rend Lake is a top bass fishery. Kinkaid Lake has trophy largemouth. Lake Michigan for salmon and steelhead. Illinois River for catfish.

Major Trails

B.A.S.S.FLW

Local Circuits

Illinois Bass FederationCentral Illinois Bass Trail

Public Access

Good access on state lakes and rivers.

Species in Illinois

What you can target and when

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

good
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Rend Lake · Kinkaid Lake · Lake Shelbyville

JigCrankbaitSenkoSpinnerbait
Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

excellent
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Mississippi River · Illinois River · Ohio River

Punch bait rigs

Top Waters in Illinois

Lakes, rivers, bays, and coastal fisheries

Rend Lake

lakePublic AccessBoat RampsKayak

18,900-acre reservoir that's Illinois' premier bass and crappie fishery.

Top Species

Largemouth BassCrappieCatfish

Best: Spring/Fall

Upcoming Tournaments in Illinois

47 tournaments found

Common Carp
Charity

Thunder Decatur Carp Jubilee

Decatur, Illinois
Apr 2, 2026 – Apr 4, 2026
Common Carp
$300Details
Spotted Bass
Freshwater

Regional Kinkaid Bass Classic

Kinkaid, Illinois
Apr 6, 2026 – Apr 7, 2026
Spotted Bass
$125Details
Northern Pike
Youth

Classic Kinkaid Pike Brawl

Kinkaid, Illinois
Apr 8, 2026 – Apr 11, 2026
Northern Pike
$125Details
Catfish
Youth

Warrior Champaign Catfish Rodeo

Champaign, Illinois
Apr 9, 2026 – Apr 11, 2026
Catfish
$50Details
Northern Pike
Freshwater
2 weeks

Vanguard Shelbyville Pike Derby

Shelbyville, Illinois
Apr 22, 2026 – Apr 25, 2026
Northern Pike
$750Details
Rainbow Trout
Freshwater
2 weeks

Champion Carlyle Trout Extravaganza

Carlyle, Illinois
Apr 25, 2026 – Apr 26, 2026
Rainbow Trout
FreeDetails

Fishing Licenses & Regulations

Resident License

Annual Resident: $15. Lake Michigan Stamp: $6.50.

Non-Resident License

Annual Non-Resident: $31.50. 24-Hour: $5.50.

Short-Term License

24-Hour license available.

Youth & Senior

Free for residents under 16. Free for seniors 65+.

Boat Registration

Required for motorized vessels.

Tournament Permit

Permits required on some state waters.

Regulations Overview

6 bass daily limit. 14-inch minimum. Lake Michigan has separate regulations.

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