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Illinois Boating & Fishing

Illinois

From the North Point Marina with over a thousand slips for boats to the shores of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, there are no shortage of Illinois fishing and boating opportunities. Get your fishing license, register your boat, and plan your Illinois fishing and boating adventure today.

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PLACES TO BOAT AND FISH NEARBY

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The 7 Health Benefits of Boating

From reducing stress to reconnecting with nature and boosting vitamin D to bonding with friends, discover the many health benefits of boating.

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Why Buy a Boat in Winter

Although boating season is over, winter can be a great time to buy a boat. Here are a few advantages for buying a boat in winter.

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Conserving and Protecting Wildlife Refuges

Discover inspiring conservation initiatives during National Wildlife Refuge Week. Learn about Texas’ efforts to preserve wildlife and habitats, and find out about how you can contribute.

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The Power of Learning to Fish in the Company of Women

A story of an angler who went on an unexpected fly fishing adventure among women in Montana

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Illinois Fishing and Boating Links
Local Illinois Fishing Reports
Local Illinois Fishing Reports

Get Fishing Reports from local guides, charters, and lake management agencies.

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Illinois Boat Safety
Illinois Boat Safety

Learn about the essential boat safety equipment you should have on board at all times.

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Illinois Fishing Programs
Illinois Fishing Programs

Education is one of the most important aspects of fishing. Learn more about the fishing programs offered through the state

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Illinois Boating Opportunities
Illinois Boating Opportunities

Discover the Boating Opportunities throughout Illinois. The Department of Natural Resources even has boat rentals at many parks.

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Illinois Free Fishing Days
Illinois Free Fishing Days

Find out where the free fishing days are all across the United States.

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Illinois Boat Registration and Info
Illinois Boat Registration and Info

Before visiting one of the state’s top spots, be sure you know the requirements for Illinois boat registration.

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Get an Illinois Fishing License
Get an Illinois Fishing License

Buying a fishing license is the first & most important step for any angler. Get more information.

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Register a Boat in Illinois
Register a Boat in Illinois

Registering your boat is easier than you think. Get information about how to register your boat.

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Illinois Fishing
Illinois Fishing

Find out more about fishing in Illinois.

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Illinois Boating
Illinois Boating

Our resources for Illinois boating will make it easier for you to spend quality time on the water with your family and friends.

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Featured Articles
A boat at dusk
Blog / Jeff Bogle
The 7 Health Benefits of Boating
Jan 24, 2024
Photo of fishing rods on boat
Blog / Debbie Hanson
5 Best Saltwater Fishing Knots for Florida Inshore Trips
Jan 09, 2024
Woman holding fish
Blog / Melissa Ceren LPCC, M.Ed., Ed.S.
Travel Fly Fishing Tips
Nov 29, 2023
Young woman hiking with her dog
Blog / Sunshine Sol
Outdoor Activities That Support Female Empowerment
Mar 02, 2023
EXPLORE FISH SPECIES
Albacore
Albacore
 Alligator Gar
Alligator Gar
 African Pompano
African Pompano
 Almaco Jack
Almaco Jack
 American Eel
American Eel
 American Shad
American Shad
 Apache Trout
Apache Trout
 Arctic Char
Arctic Char
 Arctic Grayling
Arctic Grayling
 Atlantic Bonito
Atlantic Bonito
 Atlantic Cod
Atlantic Cod
 Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic Croaker
 Atlantic Halibut
Atlantic Halibut
 Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic Salmon
 Atlantic Spadefish
Atlantic Spadefish
 Bigeye Trevally
Bigeye Trevally
 Bigeye Tuna
Bigeye Tuna
 Bigmouth Buffalo
Bigmouth Buffalo
 Black Bullhead
Black Bullhead
 Black Crappie
Black Crappie
 Black Drum
Black Drum
 Black Grouper
Black Grouper
 Black Marlin
Black Marlin
 Black Sea Bass
Black Sea Bass
 Black Skipjack
Black Skipjack
 Blackfin Tuna
Blackfin Tuna
 Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Shark
 Blue Catfish
Blue Catfish
 Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
 Blue Shark
Blue Shark
 Bluefin Trevally
Bluefin Trevally
 Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin Tuna
 Bluefish
Bluefish
 Bluegill
Bluegill
 Bonefish
Bonefish
 Bonnethead Shark
Bonnethead Shark
 Bowfin
Bowfin
 Brook Trout
Brook Trout
 Broomtail Grouper
Broomtail Grouper
 Brown Bullhead
Brown Bullhead
 Brown Trout
Brown Trout
 Bull Trout
Bull Trout
 Burbot
Burbot
 Butterfly Peacock Bass
Butterfly Peacock Bass
 California Corbina
California Corbina
 California Halibut
California Halibut
 California Yellowtail
California Yellowtail
 Cero Mackerel
Cero Mackerel
 Chain Pickerel
Chain Pickerel
 Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish
 Chum Salmon
Chum Salmon
 Cobia
Cobia
 Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon
 Common Carp
Common Carp
 Conger
Conger
 Crevalle Jack
Crevalle Jack
 Cubera Snapper
Cubera Snapper
 Cutthroat Trout
Cutthroat Trout
 Dogtooth Tuna
Dogtooth Tuna
 Dolly Varden
Dolly Varden
 Dolphinfish
Dolphinfish
 Flathead Catfish
Flathead Catfish
 Florida Gar
Florida Gar
 Flounder
Flounder
 Freshwater Drum
Freshwater Drum
 Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper
 Giant Trevally
Giant Trevally
 Golden Trout
Golden Trout
 Grass Carp
Grass Carp
 Great Barracuda
Great Barracuda
 Greater Amberjack
Greater Amberjack
 Green Sunfish
Green Sunfish
 Hammerhead Shark
Hammerhead Shark
 Hogfish
Hogfish
 Horse-eye Jack
Horse-eye Jack
 Inconnu
Inconnu
 Kelp Bass
Kelp Bass
 King Mackerel
King Mackerel
 King Salmon
King Salmon
 Ladyfish
Ladyfish
 Lake Trout
Lake Trout
 Lake Whitefish
Lake Whitefish
 Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
 Lingcod
Lingcod
 Little Tunny
Little Tunny
 Longbill Spearfish
Longbill Spearfish
 Longnose Gar
Longnose Gar
 Mako Shark
Mako Shark
 Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
 Mountain Whitefish
Mountain Whitefish
 Muskellunge
Muskellunge
 Mutton Snapper
Mutton Snapper
 Northern Pike
Northern Pike
 Northern Pikeminnow
Northern Pikeminnow
 Oscar
Oscar
 Pacific Bonito
Pacific Bonito
 Pacific Cod
Pacific Cod
 Pacific Crevalle Jack
Pacific Crevalle Jack
 Pacific Halibut
Pacific Halibut
 Pacific Sierra Mackerel
Pacific Sierra Mackerel
 Paddlefish
Paddlefish
 Permit
Permit
 Pink Salmon
Pink Salmon
 Pollock
Pollock
 Pompano
Pompano
 Porbeagle Shark
Porbeagle Shark
 Pumpkinseed Sunfish
Pumpkinseed Sunfish
 Rainbow Runner
Rainbow Runner
 Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trout
 Red Drum
Red Drum
 Red Grouper
Red Grouper
 Red Snapper
Red Snapper
 Redbreast Sunfish
Redbreast Sunfish
 Redear Sunfish
Redear Sunfish
 Redeye Bass
Redeye Bass
 Rock Bass
Rock Bass
 Round Whitefish
Round Whitefish
 Sailfish
Sailfish
 Sauger
Sauger
 Saugeye
Saugeye
 Scamp Grouper
Scamp Grouper
 Sea Trout
Sea Trout
 Sheepshead
Sheepshead
 Shoal Bass
Shoal Bass
 Shortbill Spearfish
Shortbill Spearfish
 Shorthead Redhorse
Shorthead Redhorse
 Shortnose Gar
Shortnose Gar
 Silver Redhorse
Silver Redhorse
 Skipjack Tuna
Skipjack Tuna
 Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
 Smallmouth Buffalo
Smallmouth Buffalo
 Snook
Snook
 Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon
 Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
 Speckled Peacock Bass
Speckled Peacock Bass
 Splake
Splake
 Spot
Spot
 Spotted Bass
Spotted Bass
 Spotted Gar
Spotted Gar
 Spotted Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout
 Steelhead
Steelhead
 Striped Bass
Striped Bass
 Striped Marlin
Striped Marlin
 Sturgeon
Sturgeon
 Swordfish
Swordfish
 Tarpon
Tarpon
 Tautog
Tautog
 Thresher Shark
Thresher Shark
 Tiger Muskellunge
Tiger Muskellunge
 Tiger Shark
Tiger Shark
 Tiger Trout
Tiger Trout
 Tope Shark
Tope Shark
 Tripletail
Tripletail
 Wahoo
Wahoo
 Walleye
Walleye
 Warmouth
Warmouth
 Weakfish
Weakfish
 Whalers Shark
Whalers Shark
 White Bass
White Bass
 White Catfish
White Catfish
 White Marlin
White Marlin
 White Perch
White Perch
 White Seabass
White Seabass
 White Shark
White Shark
 Whiterock Bass
Whiterock Bass
 Wiper
Wiper
 Yellow Bass
Yellow Bass
 Yellow Bullhead
Yellow Bullhead
 Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch
 Yelloweye Rockfish
Yelloweye Rockfish
 Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna
 Yellowtail Snapper
Yellowtail Snapper
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