Introduction:
If you want to carry out fishing activities in the State of Illinois, it is a requirement that you receive a fishing license. In Illinois, a fishing license can be acquired online from the Department of Natural Resource website. All the licenses purchased from this online platform can be reprinted without cost. Let us know more detail about ‘Illinois Fishing License’.
Illinois Fishing License
A fishing license in the State of Illinois is required for most individuals who wish to carry out fishing activities in Illinois waters, like reservoirs, streams, rivers, and lakes. Fishing licenses are essential because they are a tremendous source of income for fish and game funds for the State of Illinois to enhance and preserve the State’s waterways. However, it is not a requirement for all residents in the State of Illinois to possess a fishing license to be allowed to carry out fishing activities in the waters of the State.
Some individuals are not required to have a fishing license to be lawfully permitted to carry out these fishing activities. These groups of individuals include active military service members who are residents within the State, disabled and blind anglers, and anglers under the age of 16. Another group of individuals who do not require a fishing license to be allowed by the law to carry out fishing activities is those who own a private pond on their property. These individuals are permitted by the law in the State of Illinois to fish in their privately owned fishing bonds without requiring a fishing license.
How Can One Obtain a License to Fish in Illinois?
To get a fishing license in the State of Illinois, you are required to follow the following steps:
- STEP ONE: You are required to go to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.
- STEP TWO: Confirm on the website whether you are a resident of Illinois by filling the yes or no check box on the website. To qualify as a resident of the State of Illinois, one must have stayed within the State for the past 30 days before purchasing the fishing license. After checking the resident box, the individual must click continue, where they will be directed to the next step.
- STEP THREE: In the next step, the individual must type their Driver’s license or ID number, social security number, date of birth, and IDNR Customer number.
- STEP FOUR: Follow the remaining steps that require one to fill in their address and personal attribute information like hair color, contact information, weight, height, and eye color.
Types of Fishing Licenses and their Costs
To carry out any fishing activity within the State of Illinois, it is a requirement that you possess a valid fishing license. Various fishing licenses and permits are available in the State of Illinois, from Resident Lifetime Sportsmen’s Combination Fishing License to the daily Sport Licenses for non-residents or residents. Here are some of the various types of fishing licenses in Illinois and what they cost.
| License Type | Cost/Fee (in Dollars $) |
| Resident lifetime combined (fishing and hunting) | 765 |
| Resident lifetime sport fishing | 435 |
| Inland Trout Stamp (all waters excluding Lake Michigan; licensed anglers only) | 6.50 |
| Senior Sportsman’s License (combined fishing and hunting license) | 13.50 |
| Non-resident and resident sport fishing (24 hours) | 5.50 |
| Resident Sport Fish (License for 65 years or older) | 7.75 |
| Resident sport fishing (annual license) | 15 |
Illinois Fishing License Renewal
Fishing licenses in Illinois are set to expire on March 31. This is as stated by the State’s fishing laws. For instance, an individual can purchase a fishing license on March 1, 2021; the above fishing license is set to expire on March 31, 2022. At times, these fishing licenses can be misplaced, and the common question that many residents may ask themselves is, how do I replace my misplaced fishing license? Below are the steps to follow when one wants to replace their lost fishing license in the State of Illinois.
- STEP ONE: Visit the website for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to reprint your fishing license. This exercise requires no fee. But, be aware of charge fees in instances of vendor transactions.
- STEP TWO: Visit the regional offices, Chicago office, or Springfield public area, where you can also replace your fishing license, stamps, and permits and a fee of 3 dollars.
- STEP THREE: An individual can also replace their lost fishing license by visiting the Vendors who will issue a fishing license replacement with DNR Direct Terminal for a fee of 3 dollars and an additional transaction fee.
Conclusion
A fishing license is required for residents in the State of Illinois to carry out fishing activities in Illinois waters. A group of individuals is not required by the State’s law to possess a fishing license to carry out these fishing activities. These are individuals below the age of 16, residents of the State who actively serve in the military, and blind and disabled anglers. Residents can renew their fishing licenses and replace their misplaced fishing licenses by visiting the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources Website.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do children under 16 (residents or non-residents) need a fishing license?
No, kids below the age of 16, whether non-residents or residents are not required to purchase fishing licenses.
- Do people with disability require a fishing license?
People with disabilities are allowed by the law in the State of Illinois to fish without a fishing license. However, these individuals must provide proof of disability in the following ways.
- Providing a veteran disability card or a State disabled person I.D.
