If you plan to fish for trout in Illinois, the stamp fee is only one part of the cost. Most licensed anglers need an Inland Trout Stamp in addition to a fishing license, while Lake Michigan uses a different stamp. The rules also change for children, qualifying exempt anglers, and Illinois residents age 75 or older.
Last updated: August 11, 2026. Fees, 2026 season rules, and Free Fishing Days were checked against current Illinois sources.
Quick Answer
An Illinois Inland Trout Stamp costs $6.50 for licensed residents and nonresidents. Illinois residents age 75 or older pay $0.50. Most anglers age 16 or older also need a valid sport fishing license. For trout or salmon in Lake Michigan, use a Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp instead.
Key Takeaways
- The standard Inland Trout Stamp fee is $6.50 for licensed resident and nonresident anglers.
- Illinois residents age 75 or older pay $0.50 for the stamp; residents age 65 to 74 still pay the standard stamp fee.
- The stamp is generally required when taking or attempting to take trout in Illinois waters other than Lake Michigan, unless you are exempt from the fishing-license requirement.
- Annual licenses and stamps expire March 31, and site-specific trout closures, opening times, and harvest rules still apply.
Which Stamp Do You Need?
- Inland Illinois trout waters: Buy an Inland Trout Stamp if you are otherwise required to hold a fishing license.
- Lake Michigan trout or salmon: Use the Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp instead of the Inland Trout Stamp.
- License-exempt anglers: You generally do not need either trout/salmon stamp when the fishing-license exemption applies.
Do You Need an Illinois Inland Trout Stamp?
An Inland Trout Stamp authorizes a licensed angler to take or attempt to take trout in Illinois waters other than Lake Michigan. It is separate from the sport fishing license, so buying a fishing license alone does not cover inland trout fishing.
Most resident and nonresident anglers age 16 or older need both items. According to the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information guide and the Illinois Fish and Aquatic Life Code, people who are exempt from the sport fishing license requirement are also exempt from the Inland Trout Stamp requirement. Common examples include anglers under 16, qualifying blind or disabled anglers, certain Illinois residents on military leave, and anglers at an IDNR-licensed daily-fee fishing area. Narrow landowner and tenant exemptions can also apply on qualifying private waters, so check the statute if you plan to rely on a property-based exemption.
Note: Lake Michigan follows a different rule. Licensed anglers taking trout or salmon from Lake Michigan need a Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp, not an Inland Trout Stamp.
Illinois Trout Stamp Cost for Residents and Nonresidents
The standard annual Inland Trout Stamp costs $6.50 for licensed Illinois residents and nonresidents, according to the current IDNR fishing-license fee list. The stamp does not replace the fishing license. Your full basic cost depends on your age, residency, and the type of fishing license you buy.
| Angler | Annual Fishing License | Inland Trout Stamp | Basic Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois resident, age 16–64 | $15.00 | $6.50 | $21.50 |
| Illinois resident, age 65–74 | $7.75 | $6.50 | $14.25 |
| Illinois resident, age 75+ | $1.50 | $0.50 | $2.00 |
| Nonresident with annual license | $31.50 | $6.50 | $38.00 |
These are the published 2026 fees. An additional transaction charge may apply, and fees can change. Nonresidents using a 24-hour or three-day fishing license still need the Inland Trout Stamp when the stamp requirement applies.
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Illinois Trout Stamp Cost for Seniors
Illinois has two senior pricing tiers, and they affect the fishing license and trout stamp differently.
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Residents Age 65 to 74
Illinois residents age 65 to 74 qualify for the reduced annual sport fishing license fee of $7.75. They do not qualify for the $0.50 Inland Trout Stamp. Their stamp remains the standard $6.50.
Residents Age 75 and Older
Illinois residents age 75 or older qualify for the super-senior prices: $1.50 for the annual sport fishing license and $0.50 for the Inland Trout Stamp. The basic combined cost is therefore $2.00 before any additional transaction charge.
What Seniors Should Bring
Age discounts apply to Illinois residents, so bring identification when purchasing in person and make sure your customer record shows the correct date of birth and residency. Senior status does not remove season, harvest-limit, or site-specific requirements.
Warning: Do not assume every angler age 65 or older receives the $0.50 stamp. That price is for qualifying Illinois residents age 75 and older.
How to Purchase an Illinois Trout Stamp
You can buy the stamp online, from an authorized license vendor, or through the state sales system. Buy it in the same transaction as your fishing license when possible so both privileges appear together in your record.
At a Glance
| Purchase Options | Online through ExploreMoreIL or in person through an authorized license vendor |
| Fishing License | Usually required for anglers age 16 or older unless a license exemption applies |
| Tools Needed | Accurate angler information and a payment method; IDNR requires a valid Social Security number for license purchases, and age or residency documentation may be requested |
| Cost | $6.50 standard or $0.50 for qualifying Illinois residents age 75+, plus any required license and transaction charge |
- Confirm the water: Choose the Inland Trout Stamp for Illinois waters other than Lake Michigan. Choose the Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp for trout or salmon in Lake Michigan.
- Confirm whether you need a fishing license: Most anglers age 16 or older do. License-exempt anglers are also exempt from the trout stamp.
- Buy online or from a vendor: Use ExploreMoreIL or find an authorized seller through the IDNR license sales page.
- Review the details: Check the angler’s name, date of birth, residency, license type, and selected stamp before paying. IDNR states that a valid Social Security number is required for a license purchase.
- Keep proof with you: Illinois law requires license and stamp holders to have the privilege in their possession for immediate inspection. Online purchases can be reprinted if the original copy is lost or damaged.
Pro Tip: Buy the fishing license and stamp before traveling so you are not dependent on finding an authorized vendor near the trout site.
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When the Stamp Expires
Illinois annual fishing licenses and stamps do not follow the calendar year. Sales for the new license year begin March 1, and annual privileges expire March 31 of the following year. For example, an annual license or stamp bought on or after March 1, 2026, expires March 31, 2027.
Replacing a Lost or Damaged Copy
Online licenses can be reprinted through ExploreMoreIL. Vendor and agency replacements may carry a replacement or transaction fee, so use the no-cost online reprint option when it is available to you.
Illinois Trout Fishing Seasons and Regulations
Having the stamp does not let you fish anywhere at any time. The statewide guide and Illinois sport-fishing regulations set general trout rules, and individual lakes, ponds, streams, park districts, and forest preserves may add site-specific restrictions.
2026 Catchable Trout Season Overview
| Rule or Date | What It Means |
|---|---|
| March 15 to 5 a.m. April 4, 2026 under the statewide rule | The administrative rule closes spring trout possession during this period. IDNR’s 2026 Catchable Trout page separately warned that no trout could be taken from stocked sites beginning March 14; select sites opened for early catch-and-release March 21. Follow the stricter current site notice. |
| 5 a.m. April 4, 2026 | Regular spring catchable trout harvest season opened. |
| October 1 to 5 a.m. October 17, 2026 under the standing rule | Illinois rules prohibit possession of trout caught during the period from October 1 until 5 a.m. on the third Saturday in October. Check the current IDNR fall site list for any location-specific updates before fishing. |
| 5 a.m. October 17, 2026 under the standing rule | October 17 is the third Saturday in October 2026. Treat it as the rule-derived statewide opener and confirm the current IDNR program notice and local access hours before the trip. |
| Five trout per angler per day | This is the statewide daily harvest limit; a site may have additional rules. |
During an authorized early catch-and-release season, every trout must be released immediately. A fishing license and Inland Trout Stamp are still required unless the angler is exempt.
Warning: Not every stocked site joins the early catch-and-release season, and not every site opens at 5 a.m. Check the current IDNR Catchable Trout page, posted signs, and local site rules before fishing.
Free Fishing Days and Other Exceptions
During Illinois Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish without buying a fishing license, Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp, or Inland Trout Stamp, but all other fishing regulations remain in force. The 2026 administrative rule set Free Fishing Days for June 19 through June 22, 2026. The dates change each year, so verify future dates on the IDNR calendar.
An IDNR-licensed daily-fee fishing area may also be exempt from the sport fishing license and Inland Trout Stamp requirements. Confirm that the facility is officially licensed rather than assuming every private or pay-to-fish pond qualifies.
Do You Need a Stamp for Catch-and-Release?
Yes, in most cases. Illinois law covers taking or attempting to take trout, and IDNR states that anglers participating in the early catch-and-release trout season need the license and stamp unless they qualify for an exemption.
What Happens Without the Required Stamp?
Fishing for inland trout without a required stamp can result in a citation. The Illinois Fish and Aquatic Life Code classifies failure to have the required Inland Trout Stamp as a petty offense. The exact financial consequence depends on the citation and applicable court costs, so avoid unsupported fixed fine estimates.
How Trout Stamp Revenue Supports Illinois Fishing
The most direct, documented benefit of the Inland Trout Stamp is support for the Illinois Catchable Trout Program. IDNR identifies stamp sales as a funding source for the program, which stocks public waters for the spring and fall trout seasons.
Program scale: IDNR says it stocks more than 80,000 rainbow trout for the spring season and another 80,000 for the fall season, and identifies Inland Trout Stamp sales as a funding source for the Catchable Trout Program.
That is a stronger and more accurate claim than assigning an unsupported percentage of stamp revenue to broad habitat restoration or research. General fishing-license revenue supports wider fisheries work, but the official trout-program pages specifically connect Inland Trout Stamp sales to catchable trout stocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a trout stamp to fish for trout in Illinois?
Usually. Licensed anglers taking or attempting to take trout in Illinois waters other than Lake Michigan need an Inland Trout Stamp. License-exempt anglers are also exempt from that stamp. For trout or salmon in Lake Michigan, licensed anglers use the Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp instead.
Is the trout stamp valid for multiple fishing trips?
Yes. An annual stamp can be used for multiple trips until it expires, provided your fishing license remains valid and you follow the season and site rules. Annual Illinois licenses and stamps expire March 31.
What happens if I fish without a required trout stamp?
You may receive a citation. Illinois law treats failure to have the required Inland Trout Stamp as a petty offense. Do not rely on a single advertised fine amount because court costs and enforcement outcomes can vary.
Are unused Illinois trout stamps refundable?
Do not assume an unused stamp is refundable. IDNR expressly warns that no refunds are issued when a customer buys the expiring license year before the new year begins on March 1, and it does not publish a blanket unused-stamp refund promise. For a transaction-specific decision, contact ExploreMoreIL customer service promptly at 866-716-6550.
Can I purchase a trout stamp for someone else?
Yes. ExploreMoreIL supports product-specific vouchers that can be purchased as gifts and redeemed for the linked license, permit, or privilege. Use a voucher rather than buying a stamp in your own name and trying to transfer it.
Do children under 16 need an Inland Trout Stamp?
No. Resident and nonresident anglers under 16 are exempt from the sport fishing license requirement, so they are also exempt from the Inland Trout Stamp requirement.
Which stamp do I need for Lake Michigan trout?
Licensed anglers taking trout or salmon from Lake Michigan need the Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp. The Inland Trout Stamp applies to trout in Illinois waters other than Lake Michigan.
Does a 24-hour or three-day license include the trout stamp?
No. A short-term sport fishing license does not replace the Inland Trout Stamp. Buy the stamp separately when you plan to fish for inland trout and are not exempt.
Conclusion
For most licensed anglers, an Illinois Inland Trout Stamp costs $6.50. Qualifying Illinois residents age 75 or older pay $0.50, while residents age 65 to 74 pay the standard stamp fee. Buy the correct stamp for the water, keep the required privilege available for inspection, and check the current season and site rules before casting. For broader license-cost coverage, browse the Fishing Cost guides.
Sources
- 2026 Illinois Fishing Information guide — current license fees, stamp requirements, exemptions, expiration, trout seasons, and harvest limit.
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Fishing Licenses — official license and stamp fee listings.
- IDNR Catchable Trout Program — 2026 spring season, early catch-and-release rules, stocking, and participating sites.
- I Fish Illinois FAQ — age exemptions, senior pricing, purchasing, expiration, and replacement guidance.
- Illinois Free Fishing Days — 2026 dates and license-and-stamp waiver.
- ExploreMoreIL Vouchers — official guidance for buying a license, permit, or privilege as a gift.
- Illinois Administrative Code, sport-fishing regulations — spring and fall closed-period rules used to derive the 2026 statewide dates.
- I Fish Illinois: Lake Michigan — Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp requirement and trout/salmon harvest rules.
- Illinois Administrative Code: 2026 Free Fishing Days — June 19–22, 2026 license-and-stamp waiver.
- 515 ILCS 5/20-110 — possession and immediate-inspection requirement for licenses, permits, and stamps.
