Bowfishing in Illinois is a legitimate and growing sport, but it comes with a specific set of rules that can trip up even experienced anglers. The state regulates everything from which species you can shoot to which waters are off-limits — and getting it wrong can cost you a fine.
Whether you’re new to the sport or just crossing into Illinois for the first time with your rig, this guide walks you through the bowfishing laws in Illinois so you can hit the water with confidence. All information below reflects the 2026–2027 Illinois Fishing Information guide, which took effect April 1, 2026, and runs through March 31, 2027.
Is Bowfishing Legal in Illinois?
Yes, bowfishing is legal in Illinois. Aquatic life may be taken by means of a pitchfork, underwater spear gun, bow and arrow or bow and arrow device, spear, or gig. The activity falls under the state’s sport fishing regulations — not its hunting or wildlife codes — which has some practical implications for how you transport and use your gear on the water.
A valid sport fishing license is required for taking aquatic life under this rule, and aquatic life taken by these means shall not be sold or bartered. That means everything you shoot stays with you for personal use only.
Important Note: Bowfishing is governed by Illinois fish and aquatic life code, not the wildlife code. This matters when it comes to transporting your bow between fishing spots and shooting from a boat under power — rules that apply to deer hunting do not apply to bowfishing.
It is unlawful for any person to take or attempt to take aquatic life by bowfishing methods along, upon, across, or from any public right-of-way or highway in this state. So shooting from road bridges or roadside areas is strictly prohibited. Beyond that restriction, Illinois is quite open to the sport on qualifying public waters.
Illinois even maintains a dedicated bowfishing state records program. The 2026–2027 Illinois Fishing Information guide congratulates Robby Hayes for harvesting a new Illinois bowfishing state record spotted gar, taken from Rend Lake on April 23, 2025, weighing 11 pounds, 1.28 ounces and measuring 40.5 inches in length. That kind of recognition underscores just how seriously the state takes the sport.
What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Illinois?
Only species listed may be taken by bowfishing and other legal methods, and in accordance with length limits and daily harvest limits identified for each. You cannot shoot at a fish just because it’s in the water — it must be on the approved species list.
The core group of legal bowfishing targets in Illinois includes:
- Common Carp
- Bighead Carp, Silver Carp, Black Carp, Grass Carp (Asian carp species)
- Buffalo (Bigmouth, Smallmouth, and Black)
- Gar (Longnose, Shortnose, Spotted, and Alligator Gar)
- Bowfin (Dogfish)
- Suckers (various species)
- Drum (Freshwater Drum)
- Goldfish
- Pacu and Tilapia (non-native species)
- Paddlefish (subject to specific harvest limits and water restrictions)
- Catfish (in designated waters only — see the section on where you can bowfish)
No live possession of non-native fish species is permitted, with the exception of Common Carp and Goldfish. That means if you shoot an Asian carp, it cannot be kept alive — it must be killed and kept or disposed of properly. No possession of live Asian carp is permitted.
Pro Tip: Alligator gar carry a harvest limit of 1 fish per 24 hours under Illinois regulations. Paddlefish have a daily harvest limit of 2. Always check the current IDNR fishing digest for species-specific limits before heading out, as these can vary by water body.
Game fish — including bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, trout, and pike — are completely off-limits for bowfishing. Shooting a protected or game species, even accidentally, is a violation. Bullfrogs and Common Snapping Turtles may not be taken by bowfishing tournament participants, and all other species of unprotected reptiles and amphibians may only be taken by hand.
Bowfishing License Requirements in Illinois
Illinois keeps the licensing process straightforward for bowfishers. To legally bowfish in Illinois, you need to obtain a sport fishing license valid in the state, which covers all aquatic life, though marine animals caught are not allowed to be bartered or sold.
You do not need a separate archery license, a hunting license, or any bowfishing-specific permit on top of your standard sport fishing license. The bow is treated as a fishing device under the Illinois Administrative Code Section 810.15, which means it falls entirely within fishing regulations.
| License Type | Who Needs It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Fishing License (Resident) | Illinois residents age 16 and older | Required for all bowfishing |
| Sport Fishing License (Non-Resident) | Out-of-state bowfishers | Required for all bowfishing |
| Fishing Tournament Permit | Tournament organizers | Required for any organized bowfishing tournament |
| Hunting License | Not required | Bowfishing is governed by fishing code, not wildlife code |
A Fishing Tournament Permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is required for any fishing tournament event, which includes bowfishing tournaments, held in any qualifying waters. If you’re organizing a bowfishing event — not just participating in one — you need to secure this permit in advance.
The option for a three-year fishing license is now available to anglers who wish to skip the need to purchase their license annually, and lifetime licenses are still available as well. You can purchase your license online through the IDNR’s iFishIllinois website or at approved license vendors including bait shops, sporting goods stores, and marinas.
Illinois also has a regular set of wildlife-related laws that are worth understanding if you’re new to the state’s outdoor regulations more broadly.
Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Illinois
Illinois law specifies which tools you can legally use to take fish by archery or spear methods. Legal methods include a pitchfork, underwater spear gun, bow and arrow or bow and arrow device, spear, or gig. In practice, most bowfishers use a recurve or compound bow rigged with a bowfishing reel and line.
A recurve or compound bow with a draw weight of 30–50 pounds is suitable for shooting at varying distances and depths, and it should be equipped with a bowfishing reel and line specially designed to withstand aquatic environments.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically used and what to keep in mind:
- Bow: Recurve or compound bow; no crossbows are listed as legal bowfishing devices under the current code
- Arrows: Fiberglass or carbon-fiber arrows with specialized bowfishing points such as barbed or collapsible tips are recommended. These tips are designed to hold fish after penetration
- Reel and Line: A bowfishing-specific reel attached to the bow is standard; the line must be attached to the arrow so you can retrieve your catch
- Boat Lights: Permitted for night bowfishing (see the night bowfishing section below)
- Polarized Sunglasses: Not required by law but highly recommended to reduce water glare and improve visibility
Key Insight: Because bowfishing equipment is classified as fishing gear under Illinois law, you are not required to case or unstring your bow when transporting it between fishing spots on the water. However, when transporting your bow in a vehicle on public roads, treat it as you would any other bow — cased and unstrung — to avoid any confusion with conservation police officers.
You are not required to have any special archery-related permits or tags for your equipment. The only documentation you need on you while bowfishing is your valid sport fishing license. While the Illinois Fishing Information guide is updated annually, some site-specific regulations may be changed in emergency situations during the year through the administrative rule process, and changes will be posted at the location where the rules apply and online at ifishillinois.org.
Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Illinois
Illinois has a detailed framework for which waters are open to bowfishing. Not every public lake or river qualifies, and some waters have seasonal restrictions or species-specific limitations layered on top of the general rules.
Waters open to bowfishing and other legal archery and spearfishing methods include all public site-specific waters as noted in Section 810.45, and all public rivers and streams noted in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 3704 Appendix A, except as restricted.
Major open water systems include:
- The Mississippi River and its connected public backwaters (with some exclusions)
- The Illinois River and connected public backwaters from the Route 89 highway bridge downstream (with some exclusions)
- The Sangamon River, downstream of State Route 48 southwest of Decatur to its mouth in Cass County
- The Ohio River
- Kaskaskia River (certain sections)
- Fox River, Kankakee River, and many other public river systems
Catfish are a special case. Catfish species may be taken by bowfishing methods only in specific designated waters. You cannot bowfish for catfish on just any open water — you must be on one of the designated rivers or backwater systems listed in the regulations, such as qualifying sections of the Mississippi River, Illinois River, and Sangamon River.
Several areas are explicitly off-limits for bowfishing regardless of species:
- All U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge backwaters
- Quincy Bay, including Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Area
- Donnelley/DePue State Fish and Wildlife Area
- Rice Lake Complex, including all of Big Lake
- Meredosia Lake in Cass and Morgan Counties during the central zone duck season
- Any public right-of-way, highway, or road bridge
Bowfishing for common snapping turtles is not permitted in the following Illinois counties: Randolph, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Saline, Williamson, Jackson, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Massac, Pulaski, and Alexander. If you’re in southern Illinois, pay close attention to this restriction.
Common Mistake: Assuming that any public water open to regular fishing is also open to bowfishing. That’s not the case. Always cross-reference the site-specific regulations in the IDNR fishing digest or at ifishillinois.org before you launch on a new body of water.
Private ponds and lakes are a different matter — you’ll need landowner permission to bowfish on private water, just as you would for any other type of fishing. For more on how Illinois handles property and wildlife access, you may also want to review roadkill laws in Illinois, which reflect how the state approaches wildlife possession more broadly.
Night Bowfishing Rules in Illinois
Night bowfishing is permitted in Illinois and is one of the most popular ways to pursue the sport, particularly in summer when fish are more active after dark. Summer is a great time to explore night bowfishing, as many fish species are more active at night during the summer months. Equipping your boat with lights and using specialized bowfishing equipment can enhance your nighttime bowfishing experience and increase your chances of a successful catch.
Illinois does not impose a blanket prohibition on night bowfishing. The same species rules, water access rules, and license requirements that apply during the day apply at night as well. There is no separate nighttime bowfishing permit required.
That said, a few practical and legal considerations apply specifically to night outings:
- Navigation Lights: Your boat must display proper navigation lights as required by U.S. Coast Guard and Illinois boating law whenever you are on the water after dark. This is a boating safety requirement, not a fishing-specific rule, but it applies to every night bowfishing trip
- Boat-Mounted Lights: Bright spotlights or LED bow lights mounted on your boat are standard for night bowfishing and are legal in Illinois. They help illuminate fish near the surface and are not prohibited by the fishing regulations
- Site-Specific Restrictions: Some individual lakes and water management areas may have their own nighttime access restrictions. Always check the site-specific regulations for the water you plan to fish after dark
- Duck Season Overlap: Certain waters are closed to bowfishing during waterfowl hunting seasons. If you’re night bowfishing in fall, pay attention to whether duck season restrictions apply to your chosen location
Pro Tip: Spring and early summer nights on the Illinois River and Mississippi River backwaters are prime time for carp and gar. Fish move shallow and are highly visible under a good boat light. Plan your outing around a new moon for the darkest conditions and best light penetration.
You can also bowfish from a boat while the motor is running at night. Because bowfishing equipment is classified as fishing gear under the fish and aquatic life code rather than the wildlife code, the restriction that applies to hunting from a motorized vessel does not apply here. Always carry your fishing license on your person during any night outing.
Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Illinois
Illinois is a landlocked state with no ocean coastline, so there are no saltwater bowfishing rules to speak of. The state’s bowfishing regulations apply exclusively to its freshwater systems — rivers, lakes, reservoirs, backwaters, and streams.
Illinois has more than 1.6 million acres of surface water, including the renowned Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, the powerful Lake Michigan, and other lakes, reservoirs, and agricultural ponds. Lake Michigan is the closest Illinois comes to a large open water system, but it is a freshwater lake — not a saltwater environment — and bowfishing in Lake Michigan is subject to the same Illinois sport fishing regulations as any other state water.
There are no salmon stamps, saltwater endorsements, or marine fishing licenses relevant to bowfishing in Illinois. Your standard Illinois sport fishing license covers you on all state waters, including the Lake Michigan shoreline and any connected harbors or waterways.
Key Insight: If you’re traveling from a coastal state and are used to needing separate saltwater fishing licenses, you can skip that step entirely in Illinois. One sport fishing license covers all bowfishing activity throughout the state.
If you bowfish near the Illinois-Wisconsin or Illinois-Indiana border along Lake Michigan, be aware that the other state’s regulations apply to waters on their side of the boundary. Always confirm jurisdiction before shooting in border areas.
Illinois bowfishing is a freshwater pursuit through and through, and the state’s diverse river systems — including the Illinois River, Fox River, and Kankakee River — offer some of the best inland bowfishing opportunities in the Midwest. For more on Illinois wildlife and animal-related regulations, explore resources on beekeeping laws in Illinois, backyard chicken laws in Illinois, and barking dog laws in Illinois.
Final Thoughts
Bowfishing in Illinois is legal, accessible, and well-supported by the state’s extensive river and backwater systems. The key rules to keep in mind are simple: carry a valid sport fishing license, shoot only approved species, stay off restricted waters, and never shoot from a public roadway or bridge.
The state has specific rules, bag limits, and restrictions in place to ensure sustainable fishing practices, and you should check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ website for the most up-to-date information. Regulations can change year to year, and site-specific rules can differ from statewide defaults. The IDNR’s official fishing regulations and the iFishIllinois website are your most reliable sources before every outing.
If you enjoy learning about animal and wildlife laws across different states, you might also find value in reading about dog leash laws in Ohio, dog leash laws in Michigan, or exotic pet laws in the United States for a broader picture of how states regulate human-animal interactions.