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5 in · 1 lb
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Fishing regulations at Sugar Creek, 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.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Paddlefish as of April 13th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
Special gear
Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa:
- The maximum length = 33-inch eye-fork length (EFL); All Paddlefish greater than or equal to 33-inch EFL must be immediately released back to the Mississippi River.
- Maximum treble hook size is 5/0.
- Snagging for Paddlefish is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half 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; daily harvest limit is 2 fish; no sorting allowed; once the daily limit of paddlefish has been reached, snagging must cease. Paddlefish may be released at the angler's discretion once they are included in the daily limit.
Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri
- The minimum length = 24-inch EFL. All Paddlefish less than or equal to 24-inch EFL must be immediately released back to the Mississippi River.
- Snagging for Paddlefish is permitted from September 15 though December 15 and March 15 through May 15 within a 300 yard downstream limit below locks and dams on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri except for the Chain of Rocks low water dam at Chouteau Island, also known as Dam 27 at the Chain of Rocks (Madison County) where no snagging is permitted; daily harvest limit is 2 fish; sorting is permit- ted; every Paddlefish greater than or equal to 24 inches in eye to fork length must be taken into immediate possession and included in the daily harvest limit; Paddlefish less than 24 inches eye to fork length must be returned immediately to the water; once the daily limit of Paddlefish has been reached, snagging must cease.
Please review Site-Specific Regulations online.
Polyodon spathula, Spoonbill
Regulations for
FAQ about Sugar Creek fishing
- Paddlefish - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
- Eyetail bowfin - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
- Black crappie - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
- @yourmomslover reported a nice Silver carp.
- @emreaka reported a nice Paddlefish.
- @ccondran27 reported a nice Eyetail bowfin.
- @ccondran27 reported a nice Black crappie.
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