Illinois Fishing License Cost
Prices as published by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on its own pages, checked Oct 18, 2026. Fees, stamps and agent charges can change: confirm with the agency before buying.
Buy from Illinois Department of Natural Resources ↗
$15resident annual
$31.50non-resident annual
$5.501 day resident
Illinois License Prices
| Product | Residency | Term | Water | Price | Notes and Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Sport Fishing | Resident | Annual | All waters | $15 | Fees include agent's fees; additional transaction fee may apply Agency text: “Annual Sport Fishing ..............................$15.00*” dnr.illinois.gov ↗, checked Oct 18, 2026 |
| Resident Sport fishing (24-hour license) | Resident | 1 day | All waters | $5.50 | Agency text: “Sport fishing (24-hour license)................$5.50” dnr.illinois.gov ↗, checked Oct 18, 2026 |
| Annual Non-Resident Sport Fishing | Non-resident | Annual | All waters | $31.50 | Fees include agent's fees; additional transaction fee may apply Agency text: “Annual Non-Resident Sport Fishing .......$31.50” dnr.illinois.gov ↗, checked Oct 18, 2026 |
| Non-Resident Sport Fishing (24-hour license) | Non-resident | 1 day | All waters | $10.50 | Agency text: “Sport Fishing (24-hour license) ..............$10.50” dnr.illinois.gov ↗, checked Oct 18, 2026 |
Age Rules
- Not required under 16 (residents and non-residents)
License Year
- Annual licences expire on March 31 each year; sales for the year begin March 1 (2026 guide).
Illinois Fishing License Questions
- How much is a fishing license in Illinois?
- As published by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (dnr.illinois.gov) and checked Oct 18, 2026: Resident Annual Sport Fishing, $15; Annual Non-Resident Sport Fishing, $31.50. All 4 prices we hold are in the table on this page.
- Is there a short-term fishing license in Illinois?
- Yes. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources lists the Resident Sport fishing (24-hour license) (1 day) at $5.50 and the Non-Resident Sport Fishing (24-hour license) (1 day) at $10.50, checked Oct 18, 2026.
- What age rules apply to a Illinois fishing license?
- The agency's licence page states: Not required under 16 (residents and non-residents)
More for Illinois Anglers
Each price is the agency's own figure as published on its page on the checked date, quoted beside it. Only prices we could read on the agency's live page are shown; stamps, permits and agent fees named by the agency may be extra. ReelTourney does not sell licenses — confirm with the agency before buying.