Ill. Admin. Code tit. 17 § 810.20

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 2, January 10, 2025

Section 810.20 - Snagging

a) Sport fishermen are permitted only one pole and line device to which can be attached no more than two hooks. On the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa, the maximum treble hook size is 5/0; gaffs may not be used to land paddlefish.

b) Species of Fish and Snagging Harvest Limit

Only fish species listed may be taken by snagging methods and in accordance with daily harvest limits identified for each. Fish species permitted to be taken by snagging methods in Illinois waters include:

Asian Carp (no live possession) - no harvest limit

Carp - no harvest limit

Buffalo - no harvest limit

Freshwater Drum - no harvest limit

Salmon (coho and chinook only) - 5 fish in the aggregate daily harvest limit

Paddlefish - 2 fish daily harvest limit

Bowfin - no harvest limit

Gizzard shad - no harvest limit

Carpsuckers - no harvest limit

Longnose gar - no harvest limit

Shortnose gar - no harvest limit

Suckers - no harvest limit

c) Disposition of Snagged Salmon and Paddlefish

1) Every Salmon 10 inches in total length or longer snagged must be taken into immediate possession and included in the daily harvest limit.

2) Every Paddlefish 33 inches eye-fork length or less landed while fishing on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa must be taken into immediate possession and included in the daily harvest limit. Every Paddlefish greater than 33 inches eye-fork length must be immediately returned to the water.

3) Paddlefish 24 inches eye-fork length or longer landed while fishing on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri which are immediately returned to the water do not count toward the daily harvest limit. Paddlefish 24 inches eye-fork length or longer landed and not immediately returned to the water are considered taken into possession and must be counted toward the daily harvest limit. Every Paddlefish less than 24 inches eye-fork length must be immediately returned to the water.

4) Once the daily harvest limit of Salmon or Paddlefish has been reached, snagging must cease.

5) All snagged Salmon and Paddlefish taken into possession must be removed from the area which they are taken and disposed of properly, in accordance with Section 5-5 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code [515 ILCS 5/5-5 ].

d) Waters Open to Snagging and Snagging Season

1) Snagging for fish is permitted from September 15 through December 15 and from March 15 through May 15 within a 300 yard downstream limit below all locks and dams of the Illinois River, except for below the Peoria Lock and Dam where snagging is permitted year round within a 300 yard downstream limit.

2) Snagging for fish is permitted from September 15 through December 15 and from March 15 through May 15 within a 300 yard downstream limit below all locks and dams of the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri, except for the Chain of Rocks low water dam at Chouteau Island - Madison County, also known as Dam 27 at the Chain of Rocks - Madison County where no snagging is permitted. Snagging is permitted from 1/2 hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset daily, March 1 through April 15 within a 500 yard downstream limit below locks and dams on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa.

3) Snagging for fish is permitted year-round within a 100 yard limit upstream or downstream of the dam at Horseshoe Lake in Alexander County.

4) Snagging for chinook and coho salmon only is permitted from the following Lake Michigan shoreline areas from October 1 through December 31; however, no snagging is allowed at any time within 200 feet of a moored watercraft or as posted:

A) Lincoln Park Lagoon from the Fullerton Avenue Bridge to the southern end of the Lagoon.

B) Waukegan Harbor (in North Harbor basin only).

C) Winnetka Power Plant discharge area.

D) Jackson Harbor (Inner and Outer Harbors).

Ill. Admin. Code tit. 17, § 810.20

Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 4011, effective February 22, 2011

Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 6130, effective 3/25/2016

Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 7773, effective 4/20/2018

Amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 3399, effective 2/27/2019

Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 1898, effective 1/27/2021

Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 436, effective 12/30/2024