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Apple River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Illinois, United States

4.5·293 catches

Top fish species at Apple River

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Check which species have trophy potential in Apple River

Apple River fishing reports

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Smallmouth bass

length · weight

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Smallmouth bass

length · weight

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Smallmouth bass

length · weight

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Smallmouth bass

length · weight

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Smallmouth bass

length · weight

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Smallmouth bass

length · weight

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General info

Apple River is a stream located in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. It is also intersecting with Carroll County, Illinois and Lafayette County, Wisconsin. It is most popular for fishing Smallmouth bass, Rainbow trout, and Largemouth bass.

Location

42°22′7.7″N 90°09′29.7″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Apple River?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Apple 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 Apple 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

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
Season open: year-round
Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Bag limit5

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 size10

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

Aggregate limit5

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

Required licenses
"Inland Trout Stamp" prior to taking of trout from all waters except Lake Michigan."Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp" prior to taking of salmon and trout from Lake Michigan.
Additional information
No statewide size limit. Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. Statewide regulations are shown herein, but you can access Site-Specific Regulations online. Catchable Trout Program: Various lakes and streams are annually stocked with catchable size (10-11 inches) trout in the spring or fall. Anglers are prohibited from taking (harvesting) trout at any of the stocking sites before the legal season opening. Spring catchable trout season opens at 5 a.m. on the first Saturday of April and the fall catchable trout season opens at 5 a.m. on the 3rd Saturday of October. In addition to the spring and fall catchable trout seasons, select locations have an early catch and release trout season beginning 2 weeks prior to the regular opening day (see https://www.ifishillinois.org for locations). All anglers must release any trout caught during the early catch and release trout season. To legally harvest rainbow and/or brown trout from any waters which receive catchable trout or hatchery stockings of trout, licensed sport fishermen must have an inland trout stamp, unless they are under 16 yearsof age, blind or disabled, or Illinois residents on leave from the Armed Forces. Other anglers may utilize these waters for other species. They are not excluded from fishing.Please review Site-Specific Regulations online.
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth 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. Only statewide regulations are shown herein, but you can access Site-Specific Regulations online.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
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Local laws and licenses

Illinois fishing license

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Reviews of Apple River

4.5
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2 ratings

5
4
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2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Apple Canyon Lake

4.3 miles away

Elizabeth

4.9 miles away

Stockton

8.1 miles away

The Galena Territory

8.4 miles away

Scales Mound

8.8 miles away

Apple River

9.8 miles away

Hanover

9.8 miles away

Nora

12.4 miles away

Galena

14.3 miles away

Shullsburg

14.7 miles away

Bellevue

15.8 miles away

Lena

17.2 miles away

Hazel Green

18.2 miles away

Pearl City

18.3 miles away

Savanna

19.3 miles away

St. Donatus

19.6 miles away

South Wayne

19.9 miles away

Lake Carroll

20.1 miles away

Winslow

20.4 miles away

Menominee

20.9 miles away

Mount Carroll

21.1 miles away

Springbrook

21.6 miles away

East Dubuque

25.3 miles away

Sandy Hook

26.4 miles away

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FAQ about Apple River fishing

📍 Where is the Apple River located?
the Apple River is a stream located in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. It is also intersecting with Carroll County, Illinois and Lafayette County, Wisconsin. Its coordinates are:
42°22′7.7″N 90°09′29.7″W
.
🎣 Where on the Apple River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Apple 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 Apple River?
The most common species in the Apple River are:
📢 What are the latest Apple River fishing reports?
The latest Apple River fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Apple River?

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.

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