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Fishing Illinois

EZFishing brings you Illinois's most comprehensive list of fishing locations, providing interactive maps that show each location's GPS coordinates, nearby facilities (like restaurants, gas stations, marinas and fishing shops), their current and forecasted weather and, if available, their water conditions.

Registered users can rate fishing locations, post their personal/public notes and also tag them with information about fish species generally caught there as well as the most common and effective fishing techniques.

Search Fishing Locations in Illinois

Find any of the 4454 locations currently available in EZFishing database, to check fishing reports, maps, directions, weather and water conditions.

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Illinois Fishing Resources

Fishing regulations and licensing, guides/outfitter services and local fishing clubs in Illinois.

Illinois Fishing Regulations

Are you familiar with the fishing regulation in Illinois?
It is never a bad idea to check it again before your next outing.


Illinois Fishing License

Purchasing a fishing license you are helping to preserve the environment and also ensure that future generations can enjoy fishing as you are. Among other things, your fishing license fees support fisheries and hatcheries management, education programs about fishing and conservation, protection of endangered species.

Here it is where you can get your fishing license.


Links to Illinois Government Agencies

Here are a few websites of Illinois's agencies involved in regulation and conservation.

Illinois Fishing News

Check out what is the latest fishing buzz in Illinois.

  • Volunteers busy cleaning up flooded Hooked on Fishing facility
  • “We put sandbags around the building to try to save it from the water,” said Mike O’Reilly, who owns Hooked on Fishing. “We had about 18 inches of water in the facility. We are in the process of cleaning ... to use a rod and reel, baiting a hook ...
  • Peoria Journal Star
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  • 5/11/2013 2:34:02 AM
  • London Zoo seeks female mate for near-extinct fish
  • LONDON — The London Zoo is urgently seeking a female mate for the last-known males of a critically endangered fish species. Zoo officials say the Mangarahara cichlid is thought to be extinct in the wild and that two of the last known ...
  • News-Democrat
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  • 5/10/2013 9:44:43 AM
  • IHSA bass fishing tournament now set for May 31
  • CARLYLE -- The Illinois high school bass fishing state tournament has been rescheduled after dangerous water levels on Carlyle Lake forced it to be postponed. The Illinois High School Association said Thursday that the competition will be May 31 to June 1.
  • State Journal-Register
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  • 5/9/2013 7:54:22 PM
  • Sportsman’s Club fish fry
  • Social hour begins at 6 p.m. The cost is $10. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling (217) 422-1217. Proceeds benefit the Decatur Shrine Club.
  • Herald & Review
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  • 5/6/2013 9:35:09 AM
  • Feds blame crew for Baja fishing boat deaths
  • The U.S. Coast Guard says the owner and crew of a fishing boat that sank in the Sea of Cortez two years ago and killed eight Northern California men were negligent. The Contra Costa Times ( http://tinyurl.com/cyjkxay) reported on Tuesday that in a letter .
  • Pantagraph
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  • 4/30/2013 5:41:52 PM
  • Feds blame crew for Baja fishing boat deaths
  • The U.S. Coast Guard says the owner and crew of a fishing boat that sank in the Sea of Cortez two years ago and killed eight Northern California men were negligent. The Contra Costa Times ( http://tinyurl.com/cyjkxay) reported on Tuesday that in a letter .
  • Herald & Review
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  • 4/30/2013 5:27:33 PM
  • US: Crew negligent in sinking off Calif. coast
  • The U.S. Coast Guard says the owner and crew of a fishing boat that sank in the Sea of Cortez two years ago and killed eight California men were negligent. The Contra Costa Times ( http://tinyurl.com/cyjkxay) reported on Tuesday that in a letter sent to ..
  • Herald & Review
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  • 4/30/2013 5:27:33 PM
  • Water levels postpone Ill. bass fishing tournament
  • This weekend's Illinois high school bass fishing state tournament has been postponed because of possible dangerous water levels on Carlyle Lake. The Illinois High School Association said Monday that it will reschedule the finals for later this spring.
  • Pantagraph
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  • 4/30/2013 12:55:32 PM
  • IHSA bass fishing tournament postponed
  • CARLYLE — This weekend's Illinois high school bass fishing state tournament has been postponed because of possible dangerous water levels on Carlyle Lake. The Illinois High School Association said Monday that it will reschedule the finals for later this ..
  • State Journal-Register
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  • 4/30/2013 12:19:45 PM
  • High water levels force state bass fishing postponement
  • The high school bass fishing state tournament scheduled for this weekend has been postponed because of potentially dangerous water levels at Carlyle Lake, the Illinois High School Association announced Monday. The IHSA said the finals will remain at ...
  • Pantagraph
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  • 4/30/2013 1:28:21 AM
  • IHSA postpones state bass fishing finals
  • The Illinois High School Association has postponed this weekend’s state bass fishing tournament because of potentially dangerous water levels at Carlyle Lake. New dates for the tournament have not been set. The IHSA Board of Directors made the decision ...
  • Peoria Journal Star
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  • 4/29/2013 11:33:49 PM
  • Kids’ Fishing Derby to Reel in Families
  • Go fish ... catch a fish,” said George Baumgardt, Leisure Services Supervisor with the Northbrook Park District. “It’s also a great opportunity for families to be outside and active in our parks.” As in past years, the Illinois ...
  • Chicago Tribune
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  • 4/29/2013 5:28:44 PM
  • Fishing: Illini Bluffs, Morton Win Bass Sectionals
  • Bloomington — The Illini Bluffs basss fishing team won the Banner Marsh Sectional that was moved to Evergreen Lake with a five-fish total of 6.17 pounds on Friday. Kenny Major drove the four-boy boat of Blake Bevill, Brandon Travis, Chris Worrick and ...
  • Peoria Journal Star
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  • 4/27/2013 12:27:29 AM
  • Elk Grove Fishing Team Wins IHSA Sectional Competition
  • The Elk Grove High School Fishing Team was named the Sectional Champion on April 22 at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Bass Fishing Sectional Tournament, held at the Busse Woods Reservoir in Elk Grove Village. Advancing to state are ...
  • Chicago Tribune
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  • 4/26/2013 2:51:50 AM
  • Local Fishing Report
  • Flooding biggest concern for many in lake and river areas, so farm ponds and strip mines may be your best bet to snag decent bluegill and crappie. Local bait shops say everything biting well in certain areas. Area farm ponds producing bluegill on waxworms
  • Peoria Journal Star
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  • 4/26/2013 12:57:18 AM
  • 7 charged with smuggling fish bladders to China
  • SAN DIEGO — Seven people have been charged with smuggling bladders from an endangered fish in what authorities said Wednesday may be a growing international practice in which the bladders are sold for up to $20,000 each to be used in a highly ...
  • News-Democrat
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  • 4/25/2013 6:06:17 AM
  • 7 charged with smuggling fish bladders to China
  • Seven people have been charged in a scheme to sell the bladders of an endangered Mexican fish considered a delicacy for use in Chinese soup, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. The bladders from the totoaba (toe-TWAH-bah) fish can sell for more than $ ...
  • Pantagraph
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  • 4/24/2013 6:31:56 PM
  • Below the Waterline: There’s more to fishing than catching
  • It makes the fishing experience different and one that everyone, regardless of skill level, can enjoy. The Illinois High School Association bass fishing sectionals at Lake Bloomington and Lake Evergreen have been moved to Monday. They originally were to be
  • Pantagraph
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  • 4/17/2013 10:00:40 PM
  • Scientists decode DNA of `living fossil' fish
  • NEW YORK — Scientists have decoded the DNA of a celebrated "living fossil" fish, gaining new insights into how today's mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds evolved from a fish ancestor. The African coelacanth (SEE-lah-kanth) is closely ...
  • News-Democrat
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  • 4/17/2013 4:45:42 PM
  • Major die-off of fish along lakefront
  • A bizarre scene is evolving on the Chicago lakefront, with Canada geese and mallard ducks gulping down dead or dying gizzard shad. A major die-off of what appears to be the 2010 class is happening in Chicago harbors. Thousands, perhaps far more ...
  • Chicago Sun-Times
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  • 4/11/2013 11:55:09 PM
  • Below the Waterline: Best bait bets for early spring fishing
  • In last week’s column we addressed fish locations, but this week we are addressing bait selection. As important as weather conditions, the proper bait selection can help anglers put more fish in the boat. Below are go-to bait selections for early spring ..
  • Pantagraph
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  • 4/11/2013 12:53:37 AM
  • Love of fishing motivates volunteers
  • Teaching the love and joy of fishing is what brings helpers back to Hooked on Fishing season after season, according to a Peoria volunteer. “It’s the satisfaction of helping people that keeps us down here,” said Bob Meiss, a volunteer with the not ...
  • Peoria Journal Star
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  • 4/7/2013 1:05:31 AM
  • Freshest fish traded in the dead of the NYC night
  • Think Wall Street trading is brutal? Head up to the grittiest part of New York's South Bronx, where deals are made in the dead of night on a massive concrete floor that reeks of fish guts. The New Fulton Fish Market is the nation's largest seafood market .
  • Pantagraph
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  • 4/5/2013 6:58:38 AM

Illinois Guides/Outfitters

Refer a Fishing Guide or Outfitter

Want to learn a new fishing technique or need some help for you next outing? Check out one of the guide/outfitter services listed below.

Couldn't find your guide / outfitter service here?
Post a Guide/Outfitter Referral and we will update this list.

Illinois Fishing Clubs

Refer a Fishing Club

Want to join an interest group near you?

Look up the following list of fishing clubs in Illinois.

Couldn't find your fishing club here?
Post a Club Referral and we will update this list.

Favorite Locations

Check out the most popular locations in Illinois.

Be the first one to mark a location as your favorite in Illinois

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Fishing Illinois

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Illinois Weather

Chicago, IL (60603)

Updated on 11:47 AM

Weather condition icon

65°F 

Feels like: 65°F

Wind:80° 8 Kt
Humidity:70% 
Dew Point:55°F
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Sunrise: 05:23 AM 

Sunset: 08:07 PM 

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Trend: First Quarter 

Fishing Gear

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