Map

Hells Branch

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Illinois, United States

4.0·6 catches

Top fish species at Hells Branch

App Section

Check which species have trophy potential in Hells Branch

Hells Branch fishing reports

Loading...

Smallmouth bass

13 in · 1 lb

Loading...

Muskie

length · weight

Loading...

Hornyhead chub

length · weight

Loading...

Green sunfish

4 in · 2 oz

Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

Loading...

Green sunfish

length · weight

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

General info

Hells Branch is a stream located in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. It is most popular for fishing Green sunfish, Muskie, and Smallmouth bass.

Location

42°25′37″N 90°09′55.9″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Hells Branch, 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

Season open: year-round
Green sunfish

Green sunfish

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Additional information
There are no harvest or size limits except in those waters listed under Site-Specific Regulations. 
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Lepomis cyanellus
Season open: year-round
Muskie

Muskie

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Bag limit1

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.

Min size36" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit1

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Additional information
All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36-inches total length or longer, except as specified under Site-Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified under Site-Specific Regulations. Only statewide regulations are shown herein, but you can access Site-Specific Regulations online.
Synonyms
Esox masquinongy
Season open: year-round
Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Bag limit6

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.

Aggregate limit6

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Additional information
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.
Synonyms
Micropterus dolomieui
License Icon
Local laws and licenses

Illinois fishing license

Get license

Reviews of Hells Branch

4.0
Loading...

1 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Apple Canyon Lake

0.2 miles away

Scales Mound

5.5 miles away

Apple River

6.4 miles away

The Galena Territory

8.1 miles away

Elizabeth

8.2 miles away

Stockton

9.8 miles away

Shullsburg

10.7 miles away

Nora

11.4 miles away

Hanover

13.1 miles away

Galena

13.5 miles away

Hazel Green

15.6 miles away

South Wayne

17.6 miles away

Bellevue

17.7 miles away

Lena

17.8 miles away

Winslow

19.4 miles away

Menominee

19.5 miles away

St. Donatus

19.7 miles away

Pearl City

20.5 miles away

Lake Carroll

23.3 miles away

Savanna

23.3 miles away

East Dubuque

23.9 miles away

Springbrook

24.1 miles away

Sandy Hook

24.4 miles away

Mount Carroll

24.9 miles away

Anything missing or inaccurate?

Suggest changes to improve what we show.

Suggest changes

FAQ about Hells Branch fishing

📍 Where is the Hells Branch located?
the Hells Branch is a stream located in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. Its coordinates are:
42°25′37″N 90°09′55.9″W
.
🎣 Where on the Hells Branch is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Hells Branch by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Hells Branch?
The most common species in the Hells Branch are:
  • Green sunfish - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Muskie - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Smallmouth bass - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Hells Branch fishing reports?
The latest Hells Branch fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Hells Branch?

Fishing in Illinois requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include resident, non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination licenses, purchasable online or at licensed agents.

In Illinois, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...