Fishing in Illinois

Illinois Sport Fishing Awards

The Division of Fisheries offers "Hook and Line" and "Spear/Bow and Arrow" angler recognition awards for fish caught in Illinois waters. Junior angler awards are for young anglers under 16 years of age catching or bowfishing their first Illinois fish. While Big Fish, Catch and Release, Master Angler, Grand Slam, and State Record are available to any hook and line or bowfishing angler meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in the rules. Refer to the appropriate rules section for more information.

Now available on the ifishillinois.org website, Jr. Angler, Catch & Release, and Big Fish certificates may be downloaded and printed from your personal computer. Completed applications with associated information for Master Angler, Grand Slam, and State Record must be sent to the Division of Fisheries for processing. Awards are returned to the angler at the end of the current fishing season.

Spear/Bow

Click here for rules about Spear/Bow fishing awards.

Click here for minimum weights for fish species to be entered.

Click here for current state records.

Bowfishing Big Fish Award: print certificate
Type your personal info on certificate prior to printing.

Junior Angler Bowfishing Award: print certificate
Type your personal info on certificate prior to printing.
Download powerpoint file and edit to replace junior angler photo with your junior anglers picture before printing.

Click here to download an Archery State Record Fish application.

Hook-and-Line

Click here for general info about these awards.

Click here for minimum weights and lengths for fish species to be entered.

Mail-in Applications may be obtained at any DNR Regional Office or call 217-782-6424 or by downloading the file from this website.

Junior Angler Fishing Award: print certificate
Type your personal info on certificate prior to printing.
Download powerpoint file and edit to replace crappie graphic with your junior anglers picture before printing.