Illinois regulations
Bluegill (Sunfish) Regulations in Illinois 2026
Illinois Bluegill regulations as of 2026-05-08: Daily bag 10 fish/day; Daily bag 20 fish/day; Daily bag 10 fish/day. Sourced from DNR.
Rules (5)
Illinois statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Status
- Permitted
No Harvest Or Size Limits Except In Those Waters Listed Under Site Specific Regulations.
Kane County Forest Preserve District Lakes And Ponds
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Ohio River (Between Il & Ky)
- Daily bag
- 20 fish/day
Ross Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Also known as
Bluegill is also called Bluegill (Sunfish), Pumpkinseed, Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, sunfish. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Illinois.
Frequently asked questions
When is Bluegill season in Illinois?
Bluegill season in Illinois is set by DNR. Some zones may have specific open windows; see the rule table above.
What is the size limit for Bluegill in Illinois?
Illinois does not publish a state-wide minimum size for Bluegill. Check zone-specific rules above.
What is the daily bag limit for Bluegill in Illinois?
Daily bag limit for Bluegill in Illinois is 10 fish/day in Kane County Forest Preserve District Lakes And Ponds, per DNR.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/illinois/fishing/regulation-information
- https://www.eregulations.com/illinois/fishing/fishing-limits-by-location-h-k
- https://www.eregulations.com/illinois/fishing/fishing-limits-by-location-l-o
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch. Last verified .