Illinois Fishing License and Trout Stamp: What to Buy
For inland trout fishing, most anglers age 16 or older need an Illinois fishing license plus an Inland Trout Stamp. The standard resident annual purchase is $21.50: $15 for the license and $6.50 for the stamp, before additional transaction charges.
Lake Michigan trout or salmon? Choose the Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp instead. Children under 16 and other qualifying license-exempt anglers do not need either stamp.
After opening IDNR’s page, select “Online License Sales” or “License and Permit Vendors.” Information checked November 3, 2026.
Choose the Stamp by the Water
Inland lakes, ponds and streams
Fishing license + Inland Trout Stamp, unless exempt.
Use this for trout fishing in Illinois waters outside Lake Michigan. Our inland trout stamp and stocked-site guide covers the destination checks for these trips.
Lake Michigan trout and salmon
Fishing license + Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp, unless exempt.
The stamp also covers trout. Check our Lake Michigan stamp requirements before a lakefront or charter outing.
Both types of fishing? You may need both stamps. Neither stamp replaces your fishing license, and an Inland Trout Stamp does not substitute for the Lake Michigan product.
Targeting bluegill or bass does not require an Inland Trout Stamp merely because trout also live in the lake. You still need any required fishing license and must obey closures.
License and Stamp Costs
| Angler | License + stamp | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Resident, standard adult rate | $15 + $6.50 | $21.50 |
| Resident, age 65–74 | $7.75 + $6.50 | $14.25 |
| Resident, age 75+ | $1.50 + $0.50 | $2 |
| Nonresident, annual | $31.50 + $6.50 | $38 |
Calculated from listed fees; additional transaction charges may apply. The regular Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp also costs $6.50.
Short trips
- Resident 24-hour: $5.50 license + $6.50 inland stamp = $12.
- Nonresident 24-hour: $10.50 + $6.50 = $17.
- Nonresident three-day: $15.50 + $6.50 = $22.
Short-duration licenses do not include the required stamp. Read the effective period on the issued license.
When annual is better value
Three separate resident 24-hour licenses cost $16.50, more than the $15 annual license. Three nonresident 24-hour licenses total $31.50, matching the nonresident annual fee.
Compare your return visits using our visitor license duration guide. Check an existing stamp’s validity before buying another for a later outing.
First-time resident option
The 2026 regulations list a $5.50 first-time license for eligible residents age 26 or older who have not held a resident fishing license in the past 10 years. The stamp is separate.
Check IDNR resident products and the official stamp list. Find your eligibility category and confirm the exact product before paying.
Buy Without Missing or Duplicating an Item
- Check existing privileges. A valid annual, combination, multiyear or lifetime fishing privilege may already cover the base requirement.
- Confirm the water. Choose Inland Trout or Lake Michigan Salmon according to your fishing destination.
- Use IDNR’s official purchase route. Select the correct residency, age and duration. Provide sensitive details only through the official process or an authorized vendor.
- Review the issued document. Confirm the angler, license, stamp and dates. A payment receipt alone does not confirm every required privilege.
- Keep proof available. Save or print the issued license following the sales system’s instructions.
At a bait shop, say, “I’m fishing for inland trout at this lake,” rather than requesting only a fishing license. Check that the stamp appears before leaving.
Expiration: the 2026 annual fishing license expires March 31, 2027. It does not last 12 months from an autumn purchase. Review stamp dates separately.
Who Does Not Need to Buy?
- Children under 16: resident and nonresident children need neither a fishing license nor a trout stamp.
- Qualifying license-exempt anglers: trout and salmon stamps are also exempt; carry required evidence.
- Adults only accompanying children: no license is needed for accompanying them alone. Adults who participate in fishing must check their own privileges.
For a mixed-age outing, our family fishing guide for kids, parents and seniors helps check each person separately.
Seniors, disability and military circumstances
Age 65 alone does not make fishing free. Senior residents normally buy discounted products unless another exemption applies.
Disability and military exemptions have specific qualifications. The official fishing FAQ explains accepted evidence, including qualifying resident disability identification and disabled-veteran circumstances. Open the relevant question and check the documentation before relying on an exemption.
Private lakes and paid fishing
Living beside a subdivision or club lake does not automatically qualify for the resident landowner exemption. Guests must check their own status.
An IDNR-licensed fee fishing area has a specific license and inland-stamp exemption. Admission charges or private ownership alone do not establish that status; ask the operator.
Before Fishing: Check More Than the Stamp
Catch-and-release
Nonexempt anglers still need a license and Inland Trout Stamp during designated early inland trout opportunities. Releasing every fish does not remove the requirement.
Season and access
A stocked pond may not yet be open for fishing or harvest. Confirm the named water, opening date, gate hours and posted restrictions.
Use the official catchable trout locations page. Check the seasonal heading, locate your county and exact water, then confirm access with the operator.
The fall 2026 program opened October 17 at 60 sites, with a daily trout limit of five during the season. Do not apply that program summary automatically to Lake Michigan or specially regulated streams.
Open the 2026 Illinois Fishing Regulations PDF. Search for your water and review its species, size, method and harvest provisions.
Free Fishing Days: the 2026 waiver applied June 19–22 and has passed. Check the official date-specific rule before relying on a waiver; other fishing restrictions still apply.
Lost License or Missing Stamp?
Check the original customer record before repurchasing. IDNR says online fishing license reprints are free; vendor replacements can carry a charge.
Follow the official reprint instructions to locate the original transaction. A reprint cannot add a stamp that was never purchased.
- License replacement help: 217-782-2965.
- General fisheries questions: 217-782-6424. Have the exact water and planned activity ready.
Quick Answers
Does the fishing license include the trout stamp?
No. Unless exempt, inland trout anglers need a separate Inland Trout Stamp alongside a valid fishing license.
How much is the regular Inland Trout Stamp?
$6.50. Qualifying Illinois residents age 75 or older have a $0.50 super-senior option. Additional transaction charges may apply.
Do nonresident children under 16 need the stamp?
No. Both resident and nonresident children under 16 are exempt from fishing license and trout stamp requirements.
Do seniors fish free?
Not because of age alone. Illinois resident seniors normally buy discounted licenses and applicable stamps unless another exemption applies.
Which stamp covers Lake Michigan trout?
The Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp. The Inland Trout Stamp is for trout in other Illinois waters.
Does catch-and-release require a stamp?
Yes, unless exempt, including designated early inland trout catch-and-release opportunities.
Does a 24-hour license include the stamp?
No. Add the appropriate Inland Trout or Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp when required.
Can I add a stamp after buying my license?
Yes. Use the official sales system or an authorized vendor, and confirm it is issued and valid before the activity requiring it.
When does the 2026 annual license expire?
March 31, 2027. An autumn purchase does not extend it for another full year.
Do I need a stamp for bluegill in a trout-stocked lake?
Not solely because trout are present. You still need any required fishing license and must follow site restrictions.