Waterbody · Illinois
Shabbona Lake Fishing Regulations 2026
Shabbona Lake fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are muskie, bass, walleye. 86 current rules across 18 species from DNR.
Rules (86)
DNR regulates 86 rules across 18 species at this water.
Walleye
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge-Crab Orchard Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Mississippi River
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 27"
Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches
Mississippi River (Between Il & Ia)
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 27"
Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches
Rock River
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 27"
Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches
Salt Creek Downstream To The Route 10 Bridge
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Illinois statewide
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
either singly or in the aggregate with Sauger or their Hybrid (Saugeye), Except In Those Waters Listed Under Site Specific Regulations. All Walleye, Sauger, Or Their Hybrid (Saugeye) Taken Must Be 14˝ In Total Length Or Longer, Except In The Mississippi River, Wabash River, Or As Specified Under Site Specific Regulations.
Smallmouth Bass
Apple RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Catch and Release Fishing Only (9)
Calumet RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Jun 15
All Smallmouth Bass Must Be Immediately Released Between April 1 And June 15
Fox Chain O’lakesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All Fish must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15
Fox RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Max size
- 12"
All Smallmouth Bass must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15 no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and 2 Fish less than 12 inches
In Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
Contain No More Than 3 Smallmouth Bass. In Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide, Except For The Mississippi, Ohio (Including The Golconda Marina), Wabash And Illinois Rivers, Calumet River, Lake Calumet Connecting Channel, Calumet Sag Channel
Kane County Forest Preserve District Lakes And PondsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Catch and Release Fishing Only (9)
Kankakee River
- Slot min
- 12"
- Slot max
- 18"
Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 18 inches
Kishwaukee River And South Branch Of Kishwaukee River And Tributaries
- Min size
- 14"
Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide, Except For The Mississippi, Ohio (Including The Golconda Marina), Wabash And Illinois Rivers, Calumet River, Lake Calumet Connecting Channel, Calumet Sag Channel And Navigable Portions Of The Grand Calumet River And Little Calumet RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All Smallmouth Bass Must Be Immediately Released Between April 1 And June 15.
Illinois statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Jun 16
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
No Statewide Size Limit. In Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide, Except For The Mississippi, Ohio (Including The Golconda Marina), Wabash And Illinois Rivers, Calumet River, Lake Calumet Connecting Channel, Calumet Sag Channel And Navigable Portions Of The Grand Calumet River And Little Calumet River, all Smallmouth Bass must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15. In Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide, Except For The Mississippi, Ohio (Including Golconda Marina), And Wabash Rivers.
Largemouth Bass
Kane County Forest Preserve District Lakes And Ponds
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 18"
with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and 3 Fish less than 14 inches Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 14 inches and less than 18 inches
Mason Recreational Use Restrictions Lake
- Min size
- 12"
Largemouth Bass 12 inch Minimum Length Limit
Illinois statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
No Statewide Size Limit. either singly or in the aggregate with Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass, except as specified under site specific regulations
Striped Bass
Kaskaskia River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 32"
Striped Bass 32 inch Minimum Length Limit; 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit Striped Bass 32 inch Minimum Length Limit
Mississippi River Between Illinois And Iowa
- Daily bag
- 25 fish
25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit On Striped Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass And Their Hybrids, Either Singly Or In The Aggregate
Muskellunge
Mississippi River (Between Il & Mo)
- Gear
- Excluded
Excludes endangered and threatened species and the following game species: Crappie, Channel/Blue/Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass, Warmouth, White/Yellow/Striped/Hybrid Striped Bass, Trout, Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Chain/Grass Pickerel, Walleye, Sauger, Paddlefish
Illinois statewide
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 36"
No More Than 1 Muskellunge Or Muskellunge Hybrid (Tiger Muskie) May Be Taken Per Day, Except As Specified Under Site Specific Regulations. All Muskellunge And Muskellunge Hybrids (Tiger Muskie) Taken Must Be 36˝ In Total Length Or Longer, Except As Specified Under Site Specific Regulations.
Large Or Smallmouth Bass
Or Hybrid Striped Bass Striped White
Channel Catfish
All Species
Shabbona LakeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
No sport fishing below dam to fence
Buffalo
Shabbona Lake
- Gear
- Bow And Arrow
Sport fishermen may take carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears, except when closed under site regulations and posted on site
Gar
Shabbona Lake
- Gear
- Bow And Arrow
Sport fishermen may take carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears, except when closed under site regulations and posted on site
Carp
Shabbona Lake
- Gear
- Bow And Arrow
Sport fishermen may take carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears, except when closed under site regulations and posted on site
Plus 6 more species. See the Illinois pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Shabbona Lake?
DNR regulates fishing on Shabbona Lake.
What species can I target on Shabbona Lake?
Shabbona Lake is best known for muskie, bass, walleye. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize DNR's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.