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Fishing regulations at Mackinaw River, IL
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in Illinois can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Regulations for top species
Smallmouth bass
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
There is no statewide size limit. Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site-Specific Regulations.
In streams and rivers (excluding the main-stem of the Mississippi, Ohio, including the Golconda Marina and Wabash Rivers) the daily harvest can 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 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.
Only statewide regulations are shown herein, but you can access Site-Specific Regulations online.
White bass
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
No minimum size limit.
There are no daily harvest limits for Striped Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass, or their hybrids, which are less than 17-inches total length, except in those waters listed under Site-Specific Regulations. For these fish 17-inches total length or longer, the daily limit is 3 fish, either singly or in the aggregate.
Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri aggregate daily bag limit = 30 Striped Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass, or their hybrids, either singly or in the aggregate (regardless of size).
Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa aggregate daily bag limit = 25 Striped Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass, or their hybrids, either singly or in the aggregate (regardless of size).
Please review Site-Specific Regulations online.
Channel catfish
There are no harvest or size limits except in those waters listed under Site-Specific Regulations.
FAQ about Mackinaw River fishing
- Smallmouth bass - 51 members reported to have caught this fish
- White bass - 19 members reported to have caught this fish
- Channel catfish - 16 members reported to have caught this fish
- @jasminenuborazek reported a nice Striped shiner.
- @pudnite reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
- @e_scholl reported a nice Channel catfish.
- @e_scholl reported a nice White bass.
- @e_scholl reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
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