Welcome to I Fish Illinois—Illinois DNR Division of Fisheries

2022 Tournament Applications

Beginning November 1, 2021, applications for the 2022 tournament season are being accepted. In order to apply for a tournament in 2022, all tournament directors need to:

• Set up an account in the Tournament Permitting System here.
• Make sure that all results for past tournaments have been posted.

As a reminder, tournaments are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The IDNR receives almost 3000 applications each season! Should you have any questions, please contact us here.

Know Your State Record!

The past couple years have seen some state fishing records shattered with as many as 7 record-breakers in a single year! 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!

Asian Carp: The Perfect Catch

In its continuing efforts to further reduce the spread of Asian Carp in our waterways, IDNR has embarked on an exciting new initiative to improve the perception — and ultimately increase human consumption — of these healthy, delicious fish.

Click to learn about Asian Carp's benefits and sales information, or see a recent presentation on this initiative. Eat well, do good!

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!

Frequently Asked Questions

We are here to answer any fishing-related questions you may have. Simply send us an email through our "contact us" and we are happy to provide you with the information you're seeking. We also have a Frequently Asked Question page that you may find helpful. We've compiled a list of some of our most frequently asked questions via email and provided that information for you here. Check it out — you may learn something new about fishing in Illinois!

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.