Illinois Fishing License Cost (2026)
A Illinois resident annual fishing license costs $15.00. Non-residents pay $31.50 for an annual license. Short-term, senior, and combination licenses are listed below, plus current trout stamp prices, and where to buy.
In Illinois, Illinois Department of Natural Resources handles fishing licensing — annual, short-term, senior, and combination options each carry their own price, listed in full below.
Season dates and bag limits in Illinois are set statewide by species, and individual waters can carry special regulations that override the defaults — always check the current Illinois regulations for the specific lake you plan to fish. Pair this fee information with LakeQuality's Illinois lake pages — each one carries the lake's water-quality grade, clarity readings, and trend data, which is useful context when deciding where that license gets used.
2026 License Fees
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing License (annual) | $15.00 | $31.50 | State names: 'Resident Fishing License' / 'Non-Resident Fishing License' |
| Sport Fishing License (24 hour) | $5.50 | $10.50 | One-day license for both residents and non-residents |
| Non-Resident Fishing License (3 day) | — | $15.50 | 3-day option offered to non-residents only |
| Resident Senior Fishing License (65-74) | $7.75 | — | Residents age 65 and over |
| Resident Super Senior Fishing License (75+) | $1.50 | — | Residents age 75 and over; matching Super Senior trout/salmon stamps are $0.50 each |
| Resident Sportsmen's Combination Hunting/Fishing License | $26.25 | — | Combo hunt/fish; Senior combo $13.50, Super Senior combo $2.75, Veteran combo $13.50 |
| Resident 3-year Fishing License | $44.00 | — | Multi-year option; 3-year Senior version (65-74) is $22.25, 3-year Super Senior (75+) is $3.50 |
| Resident Lifetime Fishing License | $435.50 | — | Lifetime Sportsmen's Combination Hunting/Fishing is $765.75 |
| Resident First-Time Fishing License | $5.50 | — | Must not have held a license in the past 10 years |
| Resident Veteran Fishing License | $7.75 | — | Prior certification required |
Trout Stamp
Resident: $6.50 · Non-resident: $6.50
An Electronic Inland Trout Stamp is required (in addition to a fishing license) for anyone fishing designated stocked trout waters during the spring and fall trout seasons, including catch-and-release; anglers exempt from the fishing license (under 16, blind/disabled, qualifying military) are also exempt from the stamp. A separate Electronic Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp ($6.50) is required for taking trout or salmon from Lake Michigan waters. Resident Super Senior (75+) versions of both stamps are $0.50.
Who Needs a License?
Anglers under 16 years of age (resident and non-resident) may fish without a license. Blind or disabled Illinois residents (with proof such as a state disabled person ID card) and Illinois residents on leave from active duty in the Armed Forces are also exempt. Seniors 65-74 qualify for a reduced-fee Senior Fishing License ($7.75), and residents 75+ qualify for the Super Senior Fishing License ($1.50).
Season & Regulations
Fishing is open year-round in Illinois; licenses run on a license year that goes on sale March 1 and expires March 31 of the following year (2026 licenses valid through March 31, 2027). Designated stocked trout waters are the exception: the 2026 spring trout season opened April 4 (catch-and-release from March 21) and a fall trout season begins in October.
For complete bag limits, slot limits, and water-specific rules, see the Illinois fishing regulations ↗.
Where to Buy
- Online: https://www.exploremoreil.com/ ↗
- In person: Sporting goods stores, bait shops, and county auditor / clerk offices that act as license agents.
- At DNR offices: Any Illinois Department of Natural Resources office.
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 2026.