Fishing in Illinois :: Prairie State Outdoors

Illinois Fishing Pictures

Jason Steffes of Braidwood caught and released this 8-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass at Evergreen Lake last year over the Labor Day weekend.

08/31 at 12:00 AM

Illinois Big Fish Stories

Walter Klenzak’s record northern pike

Illinois hunting and fishing

County: Kankakee

Size: 26 pounds, 15 ounces; 44 inches long, 20.5-inch girth

Date: Nov. 9, 1989

Notable: Klenzak's was the second record pike in 1989.

Pastor Everly’s 65-pound flathead

Illinois hunting and fishing

County: Tazewell

Size: 65 pounds

Date: March 11, 2009

Notable: Huge fish caught by 76-year-old angler.

Featured Angler

Judd McCullum

Home: Macomb, IL

Occupation: Student

Most memorable outing in Illinois? Went to a slough near Valley City. There were Asian carp trying to swim up a culvert, and they were so thick I probably could've walked on them. I got a gig from a friend's truck and went to town!

Fishing Events

July 11, Aug.15 Sept. 18, Sept. 26 Classic - Lake Springfield Summer Trail
March 4-5-6, 2011 - Rockford Fishing and Outdoor Expo

MORE EVENTS

Fishing Calendar

FULL CALENDAR

Fishing Library

FISHING REPORTS
Thu, Sep 02
Illinois fishing report 9-2-10

BIG FISH STORIES
Fri, Aug 20
Big Fish Fridays: Old flatheads

TACTICS & TALES
Fri, Aug 27
Illinois angler drowns in Indiana

WHERE TO FISH
Tue, Aug 03
Canton Lake stocked with bass

Illinois Fishing News

Illinois fishing report 9-2-10

Thu, September 02 at 02:34 PM

Fishing continues to improve across Illinois as temperatures drop and more fish are moving shallow or starting to feed up for fall. MORE :: (0) COMMENTS

Illinois fishing report 8-26-10

Thu, August 26 at 02:11 PM

Cooler weather has helped improve fishing across Illinois, with channel catfish still tops in most lakes and rivers but many other species coming on strong. MORE :: (0) COMMENTS

Demand strong for custom boats

Sun, August 22 at 01:01 AM

While the economy has been hard on the boat industry, AAD Custom Boats and Welding in Bartonville is busier than ever. MORE :: (0) COMMENTS

Big Fish Fridays: Old flatheads

Fri, August 20 at 02:53 PM

Flathead catfish take a long time to reach epic proportions. Scott Dean caught one recently on the Rock River that proves that point. MORE :: (3) COMMENTS

Illinois fishing report 8-19-10

Thu, August 19 at 05:27 PM

Cooler water temperatures improved fishing for bass and panfish through much of Illinois though catfish remain the best bet statewide. MORE :: (0) COMMENTS

Fish kill at LaSalle Lake

Fri, August 13 at 01:22 PM

Hot weather has killed more than 2,000 fish in LaSalle Lake near Marseilles. MORE :: (2) COMMENTS

Illinois fishing report 8-12-10

Thu, August 12 at 01:24 PM

Hot water has limited fishing participation across Illinois. Those doing best are targeting white bass, catfish, salmon and river fishing. MORE :: (2) COMMENTS