Chapter 515 — FISH

(515 ILCS 5/1-1) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-1) Sec. 1-1. Short title. This Code may be cited as the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. (Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-10) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-10) Sec. 1-10. Definitions. As used in this Code, terms are defined according to the following Sections. (Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-100) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-100) Sec. 1-100. Take. "Take" means lure, kill, destroy, capture, gig or spear, trap or ensnare, or attempt to do so. (Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-103) Sec. 1-103. Taxidermy. "Taxidermy" means the art of preparing, preserving, and mounting the skins of fish, birds, or mammals to make them appear lifelike. (Source: P.A. 88-416.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-105) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-105) Sec. 1-105. Transport; ship. "Transport" or "ship" means to convey by parcel post, express, freight, baggage, or shipment by common carrier of any description; by automobile, motorcycle, or other vehicle of any kind; by water or aircra…

(515 ILCS 5/1-110) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-110) Sec. 1-110. Individual. "Individual" means a natural person. (Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-115) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-115) Sec. 1-115. Resident commercial musselor. "Resident commercial musselor" means an individual who has actually resided in Illinois for one year immediately preceding his or her application for a commercial mussel license and who does no…

(515 ILCS 5/1-116) Sec. 1-116. Roe. "Roe" means the eggs of fish that are whole and intact within the egg sac, whether within the body cavity of the fish or removed. "Roe" does not include eggs removed from the egg sac. (Source: P.A. 95-147, eff. 8-14-07.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-117) Sec. 1-117. Roe-bearing species. "Roe-bearing species" means sturgeon, paddlefish, bowfin, and any other fish listed as such by the Department in an administrative rule. (Source: P.A. 95-147, eff. 8-14-07.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-120) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-120) Sec. 1-120. Seasons; daily limits. The seasons during which protected aquatic life may be taken and the size limits and daily catch limits set out in this Code are based upon a proper biological balance and shall be regulated by admini…

(515 ILCS 5/1-125) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-125) Sec. 1-125. Administrative rules. The Department is authorized to issue administrative rules for carrying out, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this Code. The administrative rules shall be promulgated in accordance with t…

(515 ILCS 5/1-130) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-130) Sec. 1-130. Cooperation with EPA. The Department is authorized to cooperate with the Environmental Protection Agency of the State of Illinois in making pollution investigations and reports of pollution investigations. (Source: P.A. 87-…

(515 ILCS 5/1-135) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-135) Sec. 1-135. Taking for propagation or maintaining biological balance. The Department and persons authorized by it may take, purchase, or propagate any aquatic life or their eggs for propagation and stocking purposes. The Department may…

(515 ILCS 5/1-140) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-140) Sec. 1-140. Production for stocking. The Department may produce under Section 1-135 any aquatic life or their eggs and distribute them to suitable waters for propagation or restocking. Planting stock not required for State and public o…

(515 ILCS 5/1-145) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-145) Sec. 1-145. Propagation facilities. The Department may, for the purpose of propagating aquatic life, establish and maintain facilities upon any water owned or leased by the State of Illinois or by the United States of America with the …

(515 ILCS 5/1-147) Sec. 1-147. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, any power granted under this Code to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act. (Source: P.A.…

(515 ILCS 5/1-15) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-15) Sec. 1-15. Administrative rule. "Administrative rule" means a regulatory measure issued by the Director under this Code. (Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-150) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-150) Sec. 1-150. Preservation of aquatic life; actions to enforce Code. The Department shall take all measures necessary for the conservation, distribution, introduction, and restoration of aquatic life. After any investigation when it is f…

(515 ILCS 5/1-155) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-155) Sec. 1-155. Conservation training schools; public education. The Department may establish Conservation Training Schools and employ technicians and other help necessary for the purpose of teaching conservation methods to employees of th…

(515 ILCS 5/1-160) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-160) Sec. 1-160. Peace officers. All employees of the Department authorized by the Director shall have the power of, and shall be, peace officers in the enforcement of this Code, including administrative rules, and may carry weapons as may …

(515 ILCS 5/1-165) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-165) Sec. 1-165. Arrests; warrants. All authorized employees of the Department and all sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and other police officers shall arrest any person detected in violation of any of the provisions of this Code, including admin…

(515 ILCS 5/1-17) Sec. 1-17. Air rifle. "Air rifle" means an air gun, air pistol, spring gun, gas gun, spring pistol, B-B gun, pellet gun, or any implement that is not a firearm and propels a singular globular projectile or pellet constructed of steel, lead, or other hard materia…

(515 ILCS 5/1-170) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-170) Sec. 1-170. Prosecutions; State's Attorneys. All prosecutions shall be brought in the name and by the authority of the People of the State of Illinois before the Circuit Court for the county where the offense was committed. All State's…

(515 ILCS 5/1-175) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-175) Sec. 1-175. Limitations. All prosecutions under this Code shall be commenced within 2 years from the time the offense charged was committed. (Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-18) Sec. 1-18. Angling methods. "Angling methods" means the action of sport fishing by hook and line. (Source: P.A. 102-837, eff. 5-13-22.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-180) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-180) Sec. 1-180. Collection of fines. All fines provided for by this Code shall be collected and remitted to the Department, within 30 days after the collection of the fine, by the Clerk of the Circuit Court collecting the fines, who shall …

(515 ILCS 5/1-185) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-185) Sec. 1-185. Power of entry and examination. Authorized employees of the Department are empowered, under law, to enter all lands and waters to enforce this Code. Authorized employees are further empowered to examine all buildings, priva…

(515 ILCS 5/1-190) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-190) Sec. 1-190. Prima facie evidence; confiscation. The possession of any aquatic life protected under this Code is prima facie evidence that the aquatic life is subject to all the provisions of this Code, including administrative rules. W…

(515 ILCS 5/1-195) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-195) Sec. 1-195. Search warrant; process. Whenever any authorized employee of the Department, sheriff, deputy sheriff, or other peace officer of the State has reason to believe that any person, commercial institution, commission house, rest…

(515 ILCS 5/1-20) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-20) Sec. 1-20. Aquatic life. "Aquatic life" means all fish, mollusks, crustaceans, algae, aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, and any other aquatic animals or plants that the Department identifies in rules adopted after consultation with …

(515 ILCS 5/1-20.5) Sec. 1-20.5. Aquatic life farm. "Aquatic life farm" means property: (i) containing any or a combination of levee ponds, a strip mine lake, or other type of lake that has floating cages, raceways, or other aquatic life rearing equipment and (ii) where the owner…

(515 ILCS 5/1-200) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-200) Sec. 1-200. Obstructing an officer. It shall be unlawful for any person to resist or obstruct any officer or employee of the Department in the discharge of his or her duties under this Code. (Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-205) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-205) Sec. 1-205. Posing as an officer. It shall be unlawful for any person to represent himself or herself falsely to be an officer or employee of the Department or to assume to act as an officer or employee of the Department without having…

(515 ILCS 5/1-210) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-210) Sec. 1-210. Confiscation of contraband. All aquatic life or any part of aquatic life taken, bought, sold or bartered, shipped, or had in possession contrary to any of the provisions of this Code, including administrative rules, is cont…

(515 ILCS 5/1-215) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-215) Sec. 1-215. Illegal fishing devices; public nuisance. Every fishing device, including seines, nets, or traps, or any electrical device or any other devices, including vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft, used or operated illegally or att…

(515 ILCS 5/1-220) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-220) Sec. 1-220. Violations; separate offenses. Each act of pursuing, taking, shipping, offering or receiving for shipment, transporting, buying, selling or bartering, or having in one's possession any protected aquatic life, seines, nets, …

(515 ILCS 5/1-225) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-225) Sec. 1-225. Accessory. Any person who aids in or contributes in any way to a violation of this Code, including administrative rules, is individually liable, as a separate offense under this Code, for the penalties imposed against the p…

(515 ILCS 5/1-230) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-230) Sec. 1-230. Wildlife and Fish Fund; disposition of money received. All fees, fines, income of whatever kind or nature derived from hunting and fishing activities on lands, waters, or both under the jurisdiction or control of the Depart…

(515 ILCS 5/1-235) Sec. 1-235. (Repealed). (Source: P.A. 87-833. Repealed by P.A. 97-916, eff. 8-9-12.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-25) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-25) Sec. 1-25. Authorized employee. "Authorized employee" means all sworn members of the Law Enforcement Division and those specifically granted law enforcement authorization by the Director. (Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-26) Sec. 1-26. Blow gun. "Blow gun" means a weapon, hunting, or fishing device consisting of a tube through which an arrow, dart, or projectile is propelled by force of the breath of a person. (Source: P.A. 102-837, eff. 5-13-22.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-27) Sec. 1-27. Combination license. "Combination license" means an electronic or physical license authorizing the person to take a certain type of fish or animal during a specified period of time. (Source: P.A. 100-703, eff. 8-3-18.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-30) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-30) Sec. 1-30. Contraband. "Contraband" applies to all aquatic life or any part of aquatic life taken, bought, sold or bartered, shipped, or held in possession, or any conveyance, vehicle, watercraft, or other means of transportation whateve…

(515 ILCS 5/1-35) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-35) Sec. 1-35. Department. "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-40) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-40) Sec. 1-40. Director. "Director" means the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-45) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-45) Sec. 1-45. Dressed. "Dressed" means having the head removed. (Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-5) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-5) Sec. 1-5. Administrative agency. This Code shall be administered by and under the direction of the Department of Natural Resources. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-50) (from Ch. 56, par. 1-50) Sec. 1-50. Fishing. "Fishing" means taking or attempting to take aquatic life in any waters of the State, by any method, and all other acts such as placing, setting, drawing, or using any device commonly used for the taking of aquatic li…

(515 ILCS 5/1-51) Sec. 1-51. Fishing license. "Fishing license" means an electronic or physical license authorizing the person to take a certain type of fish during a specified period of time. (Source: P.A. 100-703, eff. 8-3-18.)

(515 ILCS 5/1-53) Sec. 1-53. Indigenous species. "Indigenous species" means those species of aquatic life specified by administrative rule. (Source: P.A. 94-592, eff. 1-1-06.)