Welcome to I Fish Illinois—Illinois DNR Division of Fisheries

School Days Virtual Fishing Derby

Have some end-of-summer fun by having your kids participate in the School Days Virtual Fishing Derby! Taking place for the full month of September, kids 15 and under can participate and win prizes, while adhering to guidance from national, state and local public health authorities. There are three event categories and 4 winners will be selected each week.

This event is sponsored by the Illinois DNR's Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery, Dickson Mounds Museum, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Find out more about the School Days Virtual Fishing Derby here.

If your kids are new to fishing, we've got you covered on our Taking Kids Fishing page.

The Illinois Hatchery System

Illinois is home to three very productive fish hatcheries — Jake Wolf Memorial, LaSalle and Little Grassy Fish Hatcheries. The Illinois Hatchery System is dedicated to enhancing fish populations in Illinois waters by producing adequate numbers of various species of fish to meet stocking demands statewide. In fact, at full capacity the system can produce over 50 million fish of 20 species! State hatcheries also work with other US hatcheries to obtain fish eggs and fry to supplement on-site production for certain species.

To learn more about our hatchery system, as well as the hours they are open for visits from the public, see our page here.

Interested in where we stock fish? See our stocking page here!

Your Boating Questions Answered

You've got boating questions, we've got answers! The IDNR Watercraft Division has put together a listing of the most frequently asked questions for boaters to easily find answers to questions about titles, registration, boat operation, and much more.

Find out the answers to your boating questions here.

Muskie Creel Survey

Please help us gain important information about muskies caught in Illinois waters by reporting them to us via our Muskie Creel Survey Report Card.The information we gain from our anglers is invaluable. This survey is jointly sponsored by the Illini Muskies Alliance and the IDNR. Completing this form as soon as you can after your catch is much appreciated!

Know Your State Record!

Don't learn the hard way that your catch would have qualified for a state record! We have a listing of state record fish by species and directions for what to do if you think you've caught a state record fish, either by bow or hook and line.

We can only name a state record fish once it has been verified by an IDNR County Fisheries Biologist, not by pictures alone. So be sure to contact your biologist if you think you've caught a record holder...before you release it!

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species

Remove, Drain, Dry: As the boats come out of storage, we'd like to remind you to be aware of invasive species that pose a threat to our lands and waterways. To fight the spread of aquatic invaders, the IDNR is asking residents to "be a hero transport zero." The best way to stop the spread of invasive species is to remove, drain, and dry your boats after use in any Illinois waterway. Learn more here.