What fish are in lakes in Illinois?

Illinois is full of natural lakes that are brimming with bass, catfish, bluegill, walleye, and a variety of other species. With easy access to water all around the state, fishing in Illinois is a prime way to experience the diverse range of terrain and scenery the state has to offer.

How many species of fish are there in Illinois?

Illinois is home to a wide variety of fish species. At present 34 families of fishes are represented in the state’s waters.

What is the rarest fish in Illinois?

The pugnose shiner is one of the rarest fishes in North America and should remain protected as an endangered species in Illinois. Since 1990, the pugnose shiner has been observed at only four lakes in Lake and McHenry counties in spite of intensive efforts made to find the species in all previously known localities.

What big fish are in Illinois?

Select A Category

Species Weight Location
Largemouth Bass 13 lbs 1 oz Stone Quarry Lake
Muskellunge 37 lbs 13 oz Shabbona Lake
Northern Pike 26 lbs 15 oz strip mine lake
Pink (Humpback) Salmon 3 lbs 4 oz Lake Michigan

Are there salmon in Illinois?

The major species taken by Illinois anglers include: yellow perch, smelt, coho and chinook salmon, rainbow (steelhead), lake and brown trout.

Is there pike in Illinois?

However, northern pike are found mostly in natural lakes and streams in Illinois north of Peoria (40 degrees latitude). The 40 degrees latitude line demarks the southward limit of the range of the northern pike throughout the world.

What is the most common fish in Illinois?

Sunfish and Basses

BLUEGILL LARGEMOUTH BASS SMALLMOUTH BASS
BLACK CRAPPIE PUMPKINSEED WARMOUTH
CRAPPIE REDEAR SUNFISH WHITE CRAPPIE
GREEN SUNFISH ROCK BASS

Is snagging fish illegal in Illinois?

1) Snagging for fish is permitted from September 15 through December 15 and from March 15 through May 15 within a 300 yard downstream limit below all locks and dams of the Illinois River, except for the area below the Peoria Lock and Dam where snagging is permitted year round.

Where in Illinois can you catch salmon?

Illinois anglers can expect to catch salmon from shore, off piers, and out in the lake by trolling with a boat. Charter boat service from Chicago may be available. Boat fishermen are cautioned to use adequate sized boats and motors when fishing as Lake Michigan can be very dangerous.

Where can I catch northern pike in Illinois?

Some of the Best Illinois Northern Pike Fishing Lakes & Rivers

  • Crystal Lake.
  • Fox Chain of Lakes.
  • Bangs Lake.
  • Busse Lake.
  • McCullom Lake.
  • Newton Lake.
  • Spring Lake.
  • Fox River.

Where can you catch northern pike at in Illinois?

What is the official fish of Illinois?

BluegillIllinois / State fish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXTwKDcG5rw