Map

Illinois River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Oklahoma, United States

4.7·1557 catches

Top fish species at Illinois River

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Illinois River fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

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Smallmouth bass

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Smallmouth bass

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Largemouth bass

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Signal crayfish

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Rock bass

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General info

Illinois River is a stream located in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is also intersecting with Benton County, Arkansas and Adair County, Oklahoma. It is most popular for fishing Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, and Rainbow trout.

Location

35°50′15.6″N 94°55′8.8″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Illinois River?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Illinois River. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Illinois River, OK

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 Oklahoma 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
Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass

Regulation boundaryOklahoma 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.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 16

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

RequirementKeep intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Restrictions & requirements

No Gaff Hooks

The use of "Gaff Hooks", or the use of any other technique or device that severely injures the fish, to assist in landing paddlefish, is prohibited, except while bowfishing.

Keep Intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Additional information
In rivers and streams: black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted): six combined per day, only one of which may be a smallmouth bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 14 inches or longer. No size limit on spotted bass.Lake Texoma: largemouth bass and smallmouth bass minimum size = 14-inches; bag limit = 5 largemouth bass and/or smallmouth bass in aggregate.
Synonyms
Micropterus dolomieui
Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryOklahoma 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.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 16

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

RequirementKeep intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Restrictions & requirements

No Gaff Hooks

The use of "Gaff Hooks", or the use of any other technique or device that severely injures the fish, to assist in landing paddlefish, is prohibited, except while bowfishing.

Keep Intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Additional information
In rivers and streams: black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted): six combined per day, only one of which may be a smallmouth bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 14 inches or longer. No size limit on spotted bass.Doc Hollis Lake: harvest of largemouth bass is prohibited.Lake Texoma: largemouth bass and smallmouth bass minimum size = 14-inches; bag limit = 5 largemouth bass and/or smallmouth bass in aggregate.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Season open: year-round
Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout

Regulation boundaryOklahoma State Waters
Bag limit3

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 limit3

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

RequirementKeep intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

No Gaff Hooks

The use of "Gaff Hooks", or the use of any other technique or device that severely injures the fish, to assist in landing paddlefish, is prohibited, except while bowfishing.

No Culling

Release of fish caught and placed on a stringer, in a livewell, or otherwise held in possession is prohibited.

Keep Intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Required licenses
A resident or nonresident fishing license is re­quired of all persons who take or attempt to take fish, including trout, un­less otherwise exempt.
Additional information
Rainbow trout, brown trout, and/or other trout species (in aggregate) statewide bag limit is three (3), except:In the lower Mountain Fork River trout area the daily bag limit may include only 1 rainbow trout greater than 25-inches and 1 brown trout which must be greater than 30-inches. Fish kept from these waters count towards the bag limit for the entire lower Mountain Fork trout area.In the lower Mountain Fork trout area downstream of the State Park Dam the daily bag limit is 1 rainbow trout which must be greater than 25-inches and one brown trout which must be greater than 30-inches. Fish kept from these waters count towards the bag limit for the entire lower Mountain Fork trout area.In the lower Illinois River trout area from the USGS stream gauge downstream to the gravel pit county road the daily bag limit is 1 rainbow trout greater than 20-inches.In the lower Illinois River trout area the daily bag limit may include only 1 brown trout greater than 20-inches.In the Blue River from its entry onto the Plaster Wildlife Management Unit/Landrum Wilderness downstream approximately ½ mile to a marker cable: harvest of rainbow trout is prohibited from November 1 to March 1.Check Trout Regulations for areas with additional daily and size limits. All trout in possession must be kept on a stringer marked with that angler's name and customer ID number. All anglers must have their own stringer.It is unlawful to take fish from state-designated trout areas dur­ing trout season by any means except one rod and reel (or one pole and line).
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Oncorhynchus mykiss
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Local laws and licenses

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Reviews of Illinois River

4.7
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7 ratings

5
4
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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Tenkiller

4.8 miles away

Tahlequah

6.1 miles away

Zeb

7.3 miles away

Cookson

8.4 miles away

Shady Grove

12.5 miles away

Lyons Switch

12.8 miles away

Norwood

12.9 miles away

Moodys

13.6 miles away

Peggs

18.0 miles away

Box

18.2 miles away

Dwight Mission

19.7 miles away

Braggs

19.8 miles away

Notchietown

19.9 miles away

Teresita

20.0 miles away

Old Green

20.3 miles away

Piney

20.7 miles away

Sand Hill

21.2 miles away

Brushy

21.7 miles away

Westville

22.0 miles away

Oaks

23.2 miles away

Evansville

24.2 miles away

Summers

26.2 miles away

Cincinnati

26.4 miles away

Short

30.3 miles away

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FAQ about Illinois River fishing

📍 Where is the Illinois River located?
the Illinois River is a stream located in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is also intersecting with Benton County, Arkansas and Adair County, Oklahoma. Its coordinates are:
35°50′15.6″N 94°55′8.8″W
.
🎣 Where on the Illinois River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Illinois River 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 Illinois River?
The most common species in the Illinois River are:
📢 What are the latest Illinois River fishing reports?
The latest Illinois River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Illinois River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Illinois River, some of the species in season this October include: Alligator gar. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Illinois River?

Fishing in Oklahoma requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Resident and non-resident annual and short-term licenses are available online or at authorized retailers statewide.

In Oklahoma, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Residents 65 and older qualify for a discounted license. 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.

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