IllinoisHB5136104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

FISH CD-ADMINISTRATIVE CLEANUP

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

Summary

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. In provisions concerning fishing licenses, provides that the holder of a lifetime fishing or hunting license or a lifetime sportsmen's combination license that was purchased on or after January 1, 2027 must pay the corresponding resident or non-resident fee when purchasing any permits or stamps required under the Code or the Wildlife Code based on the license holder's current permanent abode when purchasing the permit or stamp. Further provides that, if the lifetime license holder does not live in Illinois at the time of application for any lotteries, drawings, permits, or stamps that are issued or held pursuant to the Code, the Wildlife Code, or any administrative rules issued pursuant to the Code or the Wildlife Code, that lifetime license holder shall be considered a non-resident for purposes of all lotteries, drawings, permits, or stamps issued or held pursuant to the Code, the Wildlife Code, or any administrative rules issued pursuant to the Code or the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall suspend the privileges of any person who pleads guilty to, is found guilty of, or receives court supervision for a violation of provisions concerning fee fishing areas. Provides that the Department may refuse to issue, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke any license issued under the Code if the Department finds that the licensed area or its operator is not in compliance with these requirements. Makes other changes.

agriculture & conservationassignmentsagriculture

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

New rules for commercial fishing gear

If you take fish, turtles, mussels, crayfish, or frogs for sale, you must have a commercial license and fish only in legal seasons. Each commercial device must carry a metal tag with your name, address, and phone; untagged gear may be seized. Commercial seines face length and mesh limits, and seines over 200 yards need a vertical‑slat backstop and at least 2 feet of water. Gill and trammel nets are allowed only on the Mississippi River, the Ohio River, and certain parts of the Illinois River, and must be at least 100 feet. Nets must be under your immediate supervision except May 1 to Sept 30, under ice, or from sunset to sunrise, as rules allow; an employee cannot attend nets for more than one licensee in a day.

Stronger penalties and license suspensions

The law sets value‑based crimes for illegal fish and wildlife trade. $300 or more is a Class 3 felony; under $300 is a Class A misdemeanor. Possession worth $600 or more is evidence of possession for profit. Endangered species and sturgeon have a $150 minimum per animal. Buying, selling, or bartering protected fish, unless allowed by law, is a Class A misdemeanor. If your license is suspended or revoked, you must return it and you cannot guide, be with people doing the activity, or get a new license. Keeping the proof after written notice is a Class A misdemeanor, and you will not be reinstated until all fines and fees are paid.

Free fishing days and special permits

Each year, the Director can set up to 4 days to fish without a license. The Director can give free courtesy licenses to certain visiting officials. The Director can issue no‑cost permits for supervised therapy fishing and for events that promote sport fishing. You can ask the Department to auto‑renew your fishing license.

Sport fishing gear and size rules

With a sport fishing license, you may use seines, minnow traps, dip nets, casting nets, or shad scoops where allowed. Unattended lines and traps must be tagged with your name, address, and phone; live boxes and nets holding protected fish must be labeled too. You may seine for minnows for bait (max 20 feet long, 6 feet deep, 1/2‑inch mesh) and you may not sell them. Dip nets must have mesh at least 1.5 inches and be no larger than 15 feet; you may not use dip nets within 100 feet of a dam. If you use casting nets or shad scoops for bait, some invasive carp must be killed right away; fish taken by these methods are not for sale. Channel, flathead, blue, and white catfish must be at least 15 inches undressed (12 inches dressed) to keep. Size and daily bag limits do not apply on waters wholly within your private property.

Fishing license fees, stamps, lifetime rules

Resident sport fishing licenses cost $14.50 for ages 16–64. Ages 65+ pay half; over 75 pay $1. A 3‑year license costs three times the annual. A 24‑hour license is $5; the sportsmen’s combo is $25.50. Commercial fishing licenses are $60; commercial mussel licenses $50. Lifetime licenses cost 30× the current annual fee; reissue costs $10. Veterans can get reduced fees with DNR‑accepted proof. If you take salmon in Lake Michigan, you must add a salmon stamp (unless you are not required to hold a license). For lifetime licenses bought on or after January 1, 2027, you pay resident or non‑resident prices for permits and stamps based on where you live when you apply.

Old Fish Code sections repealed

The law repeals many listed sections of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. It updates and reorganizes the rules used by anglers and the Department.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Joyce Mason

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mary Gill

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Natalie A. Manley

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 305 • No: 0

House vote 5/27/2026

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs

Yes: 110 • No: 0

House vote 5/26/2026

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote 5/21/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 57 • No: 0

Senate vote 5/7/2026

Do Pass as Amended Agriculture;

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote 4/9/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 109 • No: 0

House vote 3/18/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0790

    8/7/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    8/7/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    8/7/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/25/2026House
  5. Passed Both Houses

    5/27/2026House
  6. House Concurs

    5/27/2026House
  7. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 110-000-000

    5/27/2026House
  8. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 009-000-000

    5/26/2026House
  9. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

    5/21/2026House
  10. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Mary Gill

    5/21/2026House
  11. Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1

    5/21/2026House
  12. Arrived in House

    5/21/2026House
  13. Third Reading - Passed; 057-000-000

    5/21/2026Senate
  14. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026

    5/14/2026Senate
  15. Second Reading

    5/14/2026Senate
  16. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 12, 2026

    5/7/2026Senate
  17. Do Pass as Amended Agriculture; 012-000-000

    5/7/2026Senate
  18. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted

    5/7/2026Senate
  19. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Agriculture

    4/29/2026Senate
  20. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

    4/28/2026Senate
  21. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Michael W. Halpin

    4/28/2026Senate
  22. Assigned to Agriculture

    4/22/2026Senate
  23. Referred to Assignments

    4/14/2026Senate
  24. First Reading

    4/14/2026Senate
  25. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin

    4/14/2026Senate

Bill Text

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