Illinois Fishing Season: The Ultimate Guide for 2025 Reading Time: 9 minutes

Unforgettable skyline views, rivers that wind like old stories, and a cast of fish as varied as the Prairie State’s history… Welcome to Illinois! From Chicago’s bustling coastline to Lake Michigan’s vast waters, to the quiet backwaters of the Mississippi, you can troll for Salmon, chase Musky through the Fox Chain O’Lakes, or ice fish for Perch in January. Illinois offers a fishing season and catch for every taste.

An aerial view of the city of Chicago, its skyline, as well as Lake Michigan and its many shoreline docks.

Wondering when to plan your trip? Don’t worry – this is where we come in. Our month-by-month guide will walk you through Illinois’s fishing seasons, from springtime Bass runs to winter Crappie feasts, with a few surprises in between. Grab your rod and reels, and let’s find out exactly when you should drop a line in the “Land of Lincoln.”

What fish are in season in Illinois and when?

Fishing in Illinois never really takes a break. Spring wakes up with Bass smashing lures and Trout freshly stocked in rivers and lakes, while summer sees Salmon runs, Catfish feasts, and Panfish everywhere you look. Fall brings in big predators like Musky, Walleye, and Lake Trout, all fattening up for the cold. And then there’s winter, when it’s time to break out the auger and hunt Crappie, Perch, and Bluegill through the ice! 

No matter the fishing season in Illinois, if you’ve got a rod in hand, you’ll be part of the action.

Illinois Fishing Seasons

Ask any Illinois fishing guide what’s biting, and they’ll have an answer before you can even grab your fishing gear. However, if you’re still in the planning stage, our handy table is the perfect place to start. Scroll through, spot your target fish, and start picturing that first cast out on the water…

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rainbow Trout Fair Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Fair
Brown Trout Fair Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Fair
Lake Trout Great Great Great Good Fair Weak Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great
Largemouth Bass Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Smallmouth Bass Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Walleye Fair Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Fair
Northern Pike Good Good Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Good Good
Salmon Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Musky Weak Weak Fair Good Good Good Good Good Great Great Fair Weak
Catfish  Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Crappie Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Bluegill Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
White Bass Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Yellow Perch Fair Fair Good Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Fair

Want the inside scoop for the whole year? Click on a month below and we’ll spill the details. You’ll see when your target species are biting, where they’re hiding, and all the tips and tricks you need to get ’em on your line:

January

Two small tents stand on a snow-covered field in Illinois, showing off-season camping or ice fishing with leafless trees and a cloudy sky behind.

The winter chill wraps Illinois in a quiet hush, but the bravest of anglers will find magic lurking beneath frozen lakes like Shelbyville and Rend, and along the icy edges of Lake Michigan. Here, ice fishers will be rewarded with Northern Pike and Yellow Perch waking from their slumber. The crisp air, soft light, and steady rhythm of a line dropping through the ice weave a tale only true anglers know.

Open water fishing more your thing? Flowing rivers play host to tough-fighting Walleye and Smallmouth Bass, holding strong against the cold currents. Wrap up warm, take in the stillness, and let January in Illinois guide you on a fishing journey like no other.

February

A frozen lakefront with snow and ice up front, mist rising off the water, and the skyline of Chicago visible under a clear sky.

As February settles in, the Great Lakes – especially Lake Michigan – offer exciting opportunities for patient ice anglers. Yellow Perch continue to bite, and Northern Pike lurk near deeper waters. This fishing season in Illinois is one of the most poetic, as inland lakes like Carlyle and Clinton also see steady action beneath their frozen surfaces. There’s the soft crunch of snow, sharp winter air, and anglers dotted around lakes and rivers, drilling holes through frozen paradises. 

For those drawn to open waters, the slow-moving rivers shelter strong Walleye and Smallmouth Bass, waiting for the thaw to stir their appetite. Dress in layers, breathe in the cool calm, and let the subtlety of late winter fishing guide your next cast.

March

Three men wearing life jackets are holding up freshly caught Crappie while standing on a boat, with a lake and cloudy sky in the background.
Photo courtesy of Full Moon Fishing Service

The transition from winter’s icy grip to the promise of open water becomes a reality in March. Around the Great Lakes, the thaw begins to awaken popular fish species, as Walleye and Smallmouth Bass start to move into shallower waters, eager to take advantage of the warming currents near rocky shorelines and river mouths. Inland lakes also stir to life as Crappie and Bluegill begin to congregate in the shallows, preparing for the spring spawning season.

Though the water can still be cool and conditions change quickly, patient anglers will find steady action if they time their trips right. Whether casting along the expansive Great Lakes or exploring quieter inland waters, March offers a chance to shake off the winter cold and really connect with Illinois’s vibrant fishing scene.

April

A man holding a Largemouth Bass and a fishing rod on a boat on a lake in Illinois enjoying the seasons in a blue jacket and sunglasses.
Photo courtesy of Thin Blue Line Fishing 20′ Chicago

If March was transitional, then it’s fair to say that April truly breathes new life into Illinois’ waters. The days are warmer, bringing more fish out of their hiding. Walleye and Smallmouth Bass grow more active along Lake Michigan‘s shores, and you’ll often find ’em near rocky points and river mouths where currents stir up food. Inland lakes also become lively with Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass, as these fish move into shallow areas to spawn.

But that’s not all! The rivers swell with spring runoff, creating a prime habitat for Northern Pike and Walleye. With mild weather, April is a fantastic time to explore the vast Great Lakes. Make sure you check out the state’s numerous inland fishing spots, too, as the fishing season truly kicks into gear by now.

May

A family of three people on a boat are holding up two Walleyes they caught in Illinois. They're smiling at the camera, with a lake and trees in the background.
Photo courtesy of Unlimited Guide Service Walleye / Musky / Pan

This month marks the peak of the spring fishing season across Illinois’s waters. Fish are moving all around the shores of Lake Michigan, as Walleye and Smallmouth Bass patrol the rocky reefs and shallow bays. If you’re looking for a thrilling battle, you’ll find it here. Inland lakes and ponds buzz with activity, too. Get ready for Largemouth Bass and Bluegill hookups, as they move into prime spawning zones, eager to chase bait.

At the same time, rivers continue to flow strongly, offering excellent chances for Northern Pike and Walleye. The warming waters encourage these predators to feed aggressively. With longer days and rising temperatures, May is the perfect time to explore what many locals call the best fishing opportunities of the year.

June

A man standing on a boat, holding a large Salmon with dark spots as he smiles at the camera. The vast expanse of one of the Great Lakes is visible in the background.
Photo courtesy of Twenty Four VII Charters

If you can think of nothing better than casting a line under the sun, this is your time to shine. June brings warm waters and active fish all across Illinois. On Lake Michigan‘s coastline, Smallmouth Bass and Chinook Salmon are top targets. Their energy is high as they cruise the cool depths and rocky structure. Inland lakes brim with life, as Largemouth Bass and Crappie move into full spawning mode. This makes them all the more eager to strike!

Rivers are bursting with life, as Walleye and Northern Pike continue their hunt among clearer, faster currents. The combination of long summer days and abundant bait fish is seriously unmissable. Get ready for exciting opportunities, whether you’re casting from the shores of Lake Michigan or drifting through quiet backwaters inland.

July

A man wearing sunglasses and holding a large Lake Trout on a boat, showing off his catch during peak Illinois fishing season with rods visible and the sea in the background.
Photo courtesy of Kinn’s Sport Fishing – Winthrop 38′

July really heats up the fishing scene across Illinois. Along the shores of Lake Michigan, anglers chase active Rainbow Trout and aggressive Smallmouth Bass. This is the time to take advantage of the warm waters and hook into these strong fighters. Offshore, Lake Trout linger in cooler depths, offering up a challenge for those who like to troll.

Inland lakes become buzzing hotspots for Largemouth Bass and Bluegill at this time of year, with plenty of action near weed beds and drop-offs. Meanwhile, the rivers also remain productive, especially for Walleye and Northern Pike. Make the most of July’s long days by heading out early or later on – that’s when the fish are most eager to bite.

August

A man sitting in a kayak on calm water, holding up a Bass and enjoying the surroundings, with reeds and bushes visible behind him.
Photo courtesy of Wet N Wild Outfitters

It’s fair to say that August brings some of the best warm-water fishing Illinois has to offer. Lake Michigan‘s shores see Smallmouth Bass and Rainbow Trout on fire, especially during cooler mornings and evening hours. Lake Trout continue to lurk in deeper waters, challenging anglers who are looking to troll – and then to fight!

There’s no let-up inland, either, as Largemouth Bass and Bluegill dominate the scene. Panfish and Crappie schools gather near submerged structures, making for exciting, fast-paced fishing. Rivers keep producing Walleye and Northern Pike, with early mornings and late evenings offering the most consistent bites.

September

Six men on a boat show off a row of freshly caught Salmon, enjoying summer – one of the best Illinois fishing seasons –with a Great Lake visible in the background.
Photo courtesy of Book Me A Boat – 39′ Flybridge

September signals the start of cooler days and shifting patterns in Illinois’s waters. But that doesn’t mean any less action. Salmon runs begin to steal the spotlight in Lake Michigan. Anglers from all over are drawn to river mouths and harbors where Chinook and Coho stage before their upstream push. Smallmouth Bass remain active in the Great Lakes, too, especially around rocky points and breakwalls.

But there’s more across the state, as Largemouth Bass start feeding heavily in preparation for winter. In shallower areas and smaller ponds, Crappie and Bluegill school up, too, while rivers also pick up the pace. Walleye and Northern Pike make the most of Illinois’ seasonal transition, giving you plenty of targets to cherish. The crisper mornings and turning of the leaves make September one of the most scenic and exciting times for fishing.

October

A man standing on a boat, holding a large Chinook Salmon with both hands and smiling at the camera, celebrating success in Illinois, with a larhe lake and a fishing rod visible in the background.
Photo courtesy of Kinn’s Sport Fishing – Winthrop 36′

This spooky season brings a burst of fall energy to Illinois. The Salmon run is in full swing, with Chinook and Coho crowding the Great Lakes’ harbors and tributaries. It’s prime time for anglers looking to fight big, brutish fish, as Smallmouth Bass also put on an impressive fall feed, especially near rocky structures and drop-offs.

Largemouth Bass fishing slows down slightly, but these fish still take advantage of warmer afternoons. Nearby, Crappie and Bluegill settle into deeper holding spots, meaning you’ll have to adapt your technique. However, the real inland gems are Walleye and Northern Pike, as cooler water temperatures trigger aggressive feeding. The crisp air, fiery foliage, and hungry fish make this a time to savor.

November

A foggy lakeshore with dry grasses in front, bare trees along the edge, and a person barely visible in the mist.

Get ready for some of the state’s famous colder fronts and a shift toward awesome late-season fishing opportunities. On Lake Michigan, the last of the Salmon run tapers off, but Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout move into the tributaries, offering exciting action for anglers willing to brave the cold. Smallmouth Bass in the Great Lakes may slow down, but those that remain ready to fight can be found in deeper, rocky areas.

Inland lakes grow quieter, with Crappie and Bluegill holding in deeper basins and Largemouth Bass becoming more selective with their bites. Rivers are a top pick for late-fall Walleye, however, which feed aggressively before winter sets in. While the crowds thin and the air turns brisk, November rewards persistence with quality catches and a peaceful backdrop.

December

A photo of an ice fishing angler squatting on the frozen and snow-covered lake with two Yellow Perch catches, one in each hand, while posing for the camera.
Photo courtesy of PJ’s Guide Service

It’s the holiday season, and top-tier winter fishing in Illinois truly arrives. Salmon and Brown Trout remain the stars in Lake Michigan, pushing into tributaries and nearshore areas. Patient anglers willing to bundle up will find them even in these chilly conditions. Offshore, colder waters settle in, signaling the start of the deep-water bite for Lake Trout in the Great Lakes.

There’s good news for ice fishing lovers inland, as some lakes start icing over in the north, opening the door for early Northern Pike and Yellow Perch action. Further south, open-water anglers can still fill the pan with Crappie or battle Walleye in deeper channels. With shorter days and colder weather, December offers a festive fishing experience to close out Illinois’s fishing season.

Illinois Fishing Seasons FAQs

Illinois Fishing: Year-Round Action in the Prairie State

A man standing on a boat holding a large Lake Trout with several fishing rods and the open ocean are behind him.
Photo courtesy of Book Me A Boat – 39′ Flybridge

Whether you’re looking to drill through winter ice in a small pond, chase Salmon along Lake Michigan’s shores, or want something completely different, it’s all on offer in Illinois. Now you know the best times and places to hook into the Prairie State’s most exciting catches, it’s time to explore the unforgettable fishing, diverse landscapes, and year-round angling action it offers!

What’s your favorite Illinois fishing season or hidden gem? Drop your stories and tips in the comments. We’d love to hear from fellow anglers across the state and beyond!

The post Illinois Fishing Season: The Ultimate Guide for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.

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