IllinoisHB5136104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

FISH CD-ADMINISTRATIVE CLEANUP

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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

9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 3 mixed.

Fewer steps for Lake Michigan salmon stamps

People taking or trying to take salmon in Lake Michigan still need a state-authorized salmon stamp and any required fishing license. The stamp no longer needs to be signed or attached to the license. People who are not required to get a fishing license also do not need a salmon stamp.

More harvest freedom for fish farms

A permitted aquaculture facility is exempt from certain length, catch, possession, and season limits when it harvests, sells, or transports aquatic life. The exemption does not cover aquatic life taken with sport-fishing devices.

Anglers must label more fishing gear

Extra sport-fishing devices beyond the two untagged devices allowed under your immediate control must show your name, mailing address, and phone number. Unattended sport-fishing devices and minnow traps also need identifying tags. Live boxes and live nets holding protected aquatic life must display the owner’s name, address, and phone number.

Fishing violations can cost access and money

Taking unlisted aquatic species with sport-fishing devices without a commercial fishing license is a petty offense with a minimum $100 fine. The Department cannot restore suspended or revoked fishing privileges while court-ordered fines, fees, or penalties, or a Department reinstatement fee, remain unpaid. The Department must suspend privileges after certain court outcomes for daily-fee-area violations. It can also refuse or revoke licenses or permits, or suspend regulated activity, after certain court outcomes for listed offenses. Suspension periods follow state rules unless the law sets another period.

Commercial fishers face stricter gear rules

To get resident commercial fishing or mussel license terms, you must have lived in Illinois for one year before applying and cannot claim matching license residency elsewhere. Only commercial fishermen may use the covered seine authorization: one seine up to 100 yards long, with 1 1/2-inch mesh. Commercial fishermen and musselors must attach a metal tag to each device they use, showing their name, address, and phone number. Untagged devices may be confiscated.

Broader rules for protected aquatic life

The law defines aquatic life to include fish, mollusks, crustaceans, algae, aquatic plants, and aquatic invertebrates. State rules can add other aquatic animals or plants after expert consultation; covered herptiles are excluded. Rules for buying, selling, trading, or possessing protected aquatic life depend on how it was caught and its size or length.

Anglers gain and lose fishing methods

A valid sport fishing license allows seines and minnow traps for specified bait on the same water where it is caught. A sport fishing license no longer authorizes seining for minnows that are not sold. Dip nets can take carp, buffalo, carpsuckers, or shad for personal use, but not within 100 feet of a dam’s base. Sport seines may be up to 20 feet long and 6 feet deep, with mesh no larger than 1/2 inch; minnow traps have size and mesh limits. Dip nets must have mesh of at least 1 1/2 inches, and no dimension may exceed 15 feet.

Daily fish limits with private-water exception

Licensed anglers generally may take up to six sauger, six walleye or their hybrids, or six combined in one day. Separate limits apply in specified Mississippi River waters. People fishing in waters wholly within their private property are exempt from the law’s daily number and length limits.

Resident fishing licenses have new rules

To qualify for resident fishing licenses, you generally must keep a permanent home in Illinois for 30 days before applying and intend to stay. You cannot claim residency for a similar license in another state. Active-duty service members count as residents while on duty, except for lifetime licenses. Beginning January 1, 2027, holders of lifetime licenses bought on or after that date pay permit and stamp fees based on where they currently live; people living outside Illinois count as nonresidents.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar

    Democratic • House

  • Joyce Mason

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Gill

    Democratic • House

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Natalie A. Manley

    Democratic • House

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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