Illinois anglers who fish for trout in inland waters may need both a fishing license and an Electronic Inland Trout Stamp. For the 2026 license year, the stamp price itself is straightforward, but your total depends on residency, age, license type, and whether a fishing-license exemption applies. The figures below use current Illinois Department of Natural Resources and I Fish Illinois information for 2026.
Quick Answer
For the 2026 Illinois license year, the Electronic Inland Trout Stamp costs $6.50 for most licensed residents and nonresidents. Illinois residents age 75 or older can buy the Super Senior stamp for $0.50. Most trout anglers also need a fishing license, but anglers exempt from the license requirement are also exempt from the trout stamp.
Key Takeaways
- The standard Illinois Electronic Inland Trout Stamp costs $6.50 for licensed residents and nonresidents.
- A standard resident annual fishing license plus trout stamp totals $21.50.
- A nonresident annual fishing license plus trout stamp totals $38, before any additional transaction fee that may apply.
- Qualifying Illinois residents age 75 or older pay $0.50 for the Super Senior Inland Trout Stamp and $1.50 for the annual Super Senior fishing license.
- People who are exempt from the Illinois fishing-license requirement are also exempt from the Inland Trout Stamp requirement when that exemption applies.
- The 2026 spring harvest season opened April 4, and the Catchable Trout Program daily harvest limit is five trout per angler; site-specific rules can be stricter.
At a Glance
| Time Required | Varies by account setup and checkout; online purchases can be completed in one session |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Tools Needed | Identifying information requested by ExploreMoreIL, a payment method, and a phone or printer for your license record |
| Cost | Stamp only: $6.50 for most licensed anglers or $0.50 for qualifying Illinois residents age 75+. Fishing-license fees are additional unless an exemption applies. |
Illinois Trout Stamp Cost for Residents
The standard Electronic Inland Trout Stamp costs $6.50 for a licensed Illinois resident. Most adult residents also need a valid fishing license when fishing for trout in inland waters.
For 2026, the standard resident annual fishing license is $15. Common resident totals are:
- Standard resident annual: $15 fishing license + $6.50 trout stamp = $21.50.
- Resident age 65–74: $7.75 senior fishing license + $6.50 trout stamp = $14.25.
- Qualifying resident age 75 or older: $1.50 Super Senior fishing license + $0.50 Super Senior Inland Trout Stamp = $2.
- Resident 24-hour license: $5.50 license + $6.50 trout stamp = $12 when the trout stamp is required.
- Eligible first-time resident license: $5.50 license + $6.50 trout stamp = $12. IDNR limits this license to people at least age 26 who have not held a resident sport fishing license in the previous 10 years.
Illinois residents age 75 or older can reduce the combined annual fishing-license and inland-trout-stamp price to $2.
Revenue from Inland Trout Stamps helps fund Illinois’ Catchable Trout Program. IDNR says more than 80,000 rainbow trout are stocked for the spring program, with another 80,000 planned for the fall season.
Illinois Trout Stamp Cost for Nonresidents
A nonresident pays the same $6.50 fee for the Electronic Inland Trout Stamp. The total cost depends on the fishing license selected.
- Annual license: $31.50 license + $6.50 stamp = $38.
- Three-day license: $15.50 license + $6.50 stamp = $22.
- 24-hour license: $10.50 license + $6.50 stamp = $17.
These are the listed product prices. The 2026 fishing digest notes that an additional transaction fee may apply. Nonresidents do not qualify for Illinois resident senior or Super Senior rates.
Pro Tip: A visitor fishing for one weekend can compare the $22 three-day-license-plus-stamp total with the $38 annual-license-plus-stamp total before checkout. A 24-hour option totals $17 when one day is enough.
Products Worth Considering
1.25" x 3.25" Stamp Block
Approximate Size: 3/4" x 2"
Fishing Silicone Stamps: Our fishing silicone stamps are designed with 16 patterns, including 6 different species of fishes, a fishing rod, several different fishing equipment and 3 greeting words and phrases. These patterns are perfect for making cards to record your fishing memories or adding to your stamps collection.
How to Purchase an Illinois Trout Stamp
You can buy Illinois fishing licenses and trout stamps online through ExploreMoreIL, from an authorized license vendor, or through IDNR customer service at 866-716-6550.
- Go to the official ExploreMoreIL licensing system.
- Find your existing customer record or create one using the identifying information requested by the system.
- Select the appropriate resident or nonresident fishing license, unless you qualify for an exemption.
- Add the Electronic Inland Trout Stamp or the qualifying Super Senior Inland Trout Stamp.
- Review the license year, effective dates, products, and total price before paying.
- Complete payment and keep your license and stamp record available while fishing. I Fish Illinois says an electronic copy of a fishing license is allowed.
You can also use the ExploreMoreIL agent locator to find authorized vendors.
Warning: Check the license year before paying. IDNR states that licenses purchased before March 1, 2026 were still 2025-license-year products that expire March 31, 2026, and it warns that no refund will be issued for that mistake.
Products Worth Considering
1" x 2.5" Stamp Block
Fishing Theme: Transparent silicone stamp in various fishing design includes different patterns, such as fishes, hat, fishing rod, barrel, fishing man. The fishing pattern clear stamps is very suitable for fishing enthusiasts, enjoying the fun of the cards making and decoration.
EDUCATIONAL: Ideal for STEAM curriculum, this fish can be used to introduce students or an entire classroom to a traditional Japanese fish printing technique. Learn how to make gyotaku (that's Japanese for 'fish print') by using a realistic fish replica made of rubber. It is an excellent interdisciplinary project that will stimulate discussion about Japanese culture, different species of fish, other types of nature printing, fish anatomy, and more.
Lost or Need to Reprint Your License?
I Fish Illinois says licenses bought online can be reprinted at no charge. Vendor replacement transactions can carry fees, so an online reprint is the simplest option when available.
Requirements for Trout Fishing in Illinois
Licensed anglers who fish for trout in Illinois inland waters generally need an Inland Trout Stamp. At Catchable Trout Program sites, that requirement also applies to licensed anglers participating in a designated early catch-and-release trout season.
Who Is Exempt?
I Fish Illinois states that people who are exempt from the fishing-license requirement are also exempt from the trout-stamp requirement when that exemption applies. Examples include:
- Resident and nonresident anglers younger than 16.
- Qualifying blind or disabled anglers who meet Illinois proof requirements.
- Qualifying Illinois residents on leave from active duty in the Armed Forces.
- People fishing during officially designated Illinois Free Fishing Days. In 2026, those dates were June 19–22.
- Illinois owners or resident tenants fishing waters on or flowing over their own land, where the landowner/tenant fishing-license exemption applies. The exemption does not extend to club lakes, organizational lakes, or lake developments.
- Anglers fishing at an IDNR-licensed daily fee fishing area, where the 2026 digest states that neither a sport fishing license nor an Inland Trout Stamp is required.
An exempt angler should carry any identification or documentation required to prove the exemption.
Note: The Electronic Inland Trout Stamp applies to inland waters. Licensed anglers taking salmon or trout in Lake Michigan use the separate Electronic Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp, which is also listed at $6.50 for most licensed anglers and $0.50 for qualifying Illinois residents age 75 or older.
How Long Is the Stamp Valid?
The Inland Trout Stamp is an annual privilege tied to an Illinois license year. IDNR states that the 2026 license year began March 1, 2026. The 2026 fishing digest says annual licenses expire March 31 each year, so a 2026 annual license purchased on or after March 1, 2026 expires March 31, 2027. Check the effective and expiration dates on your purchased privilege, especially during the March overlap when the prior license year may still be valid through March 31.
Illinois Trout Seasons, Limits, and Site Rules
Buying the license and stamp does not allow trout harvest at every location on every date. Anglers must follow statewide rules plus any additional restrictions posted for the individual lake, pond, stream, or park.
Daily Trout Harvest Limit
The 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest lists a statewide daily harvest limit of five trout or salmon in the aggregate unless a site-specific rule is more restrictive. For the Illinois Catchable Trout Program, IDNR states the daily harvest limit as five trout per angler.
2026 Spring and Fall Openers
The 2026 Catchable Trout Program notice states that the spring harvest season opened at 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 59 stocked ponds, lakes, and streams. Select sites opened for early catch-and-release fishing on March 21.
The annual regulation sets the regular spring opener at 5 a.m. on the first Saturday in April and the regular fall opener at 5 a.m. on the third Saturday in October. Under that rule, the 2026 regular fall opener falls on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Not every site participates in both seasons or opens at the same hour, so confirm the current site list before traveling.
Closed Stocking Periods
The 2026 Catchable Trout Program notice specifically said no trout could be taken from stocked sites from March 14 until the 5 a.m. April 4 spring opener. The 2026 fishing digest describes the general spring closed period as March 15 until the first-Saturday-in-April opener and the fall closed period as October 1 until the third-Saturday-in-October opener.
Note: Because the current program notice and the annual digest use slightly different starting dates for the 2026 spring no-harvest period, follow the current site/program notice and posted restrictions when they are more specific.
- Check whether the water is included in the current Catchable Trout Program.
- Confirm whether the site is open for harvest or catch-and-release only.
- Review site-specific pole, hook, bait, access, boating, and park-hour rules.
- Observe the five-trout Catchable Trout Program daily harvest limit unless a stricter site rule applies.
- Release trout immediately during an authorized early catch-and-release season.
- Follow temporary closure notices and posted rules at the site.
Warning: A valid fishing license and trout stamp do not override a closed season. IDNR states that anglers attempting to harvest trout before the legal harvest opener can be cited.
Note: Before eating your catch, check the Illinois Department of Public Health fish advisories for the water where the fish was caught.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish without a trout stamp in designated inland trout waters?
Most licensed anglers need an Inland Trout Stamp when fishing for trout at Illinois Catchable Trout Program sites, including during designated early catch-and-release periods. You do not need the stamp if a valid fishing-license exemption also exempts you from the trout-stamp requirement.
Is an unused Illinois trout stamp refundable?
Do not assume an unused stamp is refundable. IDNR specifically warns that no refund will be issued when someone buys a license product for the previous license year. Review the license year and products before paying, and contact IDNR promptly if a transaction error occurs.
Are anglers younger than 16 exempt from the trout stamp?
Yes. Resident and nonresident anglers younger than 16 may fish without an Illinois fishing license, and I Fish Illinois says people exempt from buying a fishing license are also exempt from buying a trout stamp.
Does an Illinois trout stamp expire?
Yes. It is an annual privilege tied to a license year. The 2026 license year began March 1, 2026, and the annual 2026 license cycle runs through March 31, 2027. Check the effective and expiration dates on the purchased privilege.
Can I buy an Illinois trout stamp as a gift?
You can use ExploreMoreIL to buy a product-specific voucher as a gift. The voucher is tied to the specific privilege purchased and is sold only during the period when that privilege is valid.
Does the Inland Trout Stamp cover trout fishing in Lake Michigan?
No. The Electronic Inland Trout Stamp applies to inland waters. Illinois separately requires the Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp for licensed anglers taking salmon or trout in Lake Michigan.
Do I need a trout stamp if I plan to release every trout?
At designated Illinois Catchable Trout Program sites, licensed anglers generally need the Inland Trout Stamp even during an authorized early catch-and-release season. Trout caught during that early period must be released immediately.
Can I show my Illinois fishing license on my phone?
Yes. I Fish Illinois states that an electronic copy of the fishing license is allowed, so you can keep a readable electronic copy available while fishing.
What were the 2026 Illinois Free Fishing Days?
Illinois Free Fishing Days were June 19–22, 2026. During those dates, people could fish Illinois waters without a sport fishing license, Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp, or Inland Trout Stamp.
When is the 2026 fall Illinois trout opener?
The 2026 fishing digest sets the regular fall Catchable Trout Program opener at 5 a.m. on the third Saturday in October, which is October 17, 2026. Check the current site list because individual locations may have different opening hours or additional restrictions.
Conclusion
The standard Illinois Electronic Inland Trout Stamp costs $6.50 for most licensed anglers, while qualifying Illinois residents age 75 or older pay $0.50. Your total also includes the appropriate fishing license unless an exemption applies. Before fishing, confirm your license year, the current trout site, harvest status, daily limit, and any site-specific restrictions.
Sources
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources — Fishing Licenses — 2026 license-year timing, fishing-license fees, trout-stamp fees, and purchase warning.
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources — All Licenses, Permits and Stamps — current resident, nonresident, senior, Super Senior, Inland Trout Stamp, and Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp prices.
- I Fish Illinois — Catchable Trout Program — 2026 spring dates, stocking information, exemptions, early catch-and-release rules, and current trout locations.
- 2026 Illinois Fishing Information Digest — license rules, Free Fishing Days, trout and salmon limits, closed periods, Catchable Trout Program rules, and site-specific regulations.
- ExploreMoreIL — Voucher Guidance — product-specific vouchers used for gifts.
- Illinois Department of Public Health — Fish Advisories — current fish-consumption advisory information.
