UTERIllinois fishing
What's biting in Illinois in November: muskellunge, northern pike, walleye and black crappie at their peak, with sauger, Coho (silver) salmon and yellow perch around too, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. It follows Illinois fishing across 2 waters, with 13 fish-by-water guides for 13 fish.
Updated
What's biting in Illinois in November
From the season calendar, best firstPeakPeakPeakPeakPeakSpawningPeakSpawningPeakPeakPeakArrivingLeavingAroundAround
Muskellunge
Lake Michigan · Illinois freshwater
Northern pike
Lake Michigan · Illinois freshwater
Walleye
Lake Michigan · Illinois freshwater
Black crappie
Illinois freshwater
Blue catfish
Illinois freshwater
Brown trout
Lake Michigan
Hybrid striped bass
Illinois freshwater
Lake whitefish
Lake Michigan
Largemouth bass
Illinois freshwater
Rainbow trout
Illinois freshwater
Steelhead
Lake Michigan
Sauger
Illinois freshwater
Coho (silver) salmon
Lake Michigan
Yellow perch
Lake Michigan · Illinois freshwater
Bluegill
Illinois freshwater
Where to fish in Illinois
2 watersChicago to the Straits, Green Bay to Grand Traverse Bay
Lake Michigan
November: Fall steelhead, browns on the piers, whitefish run
Fished from Chicago, Michigan City, St. Joseph, Ludington, Manistee, Milwaukee, Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay.
3,516 charted public spots across the whole water — 1,000 boat ramp, 861 seawall / riprap, 587 jetty / groin. Open the map in the app to see them.
Brown troutChinook (king) salmonCoho (silver) salmonCommon carpLake troutLake whitefishMuskellungeNorthern pikeSmallmouth bassSteelheadWalleyeYellow perch
Lake Michigan, month by monthThe Illinois River to the Shawnee
Illinois freshwater
November: Late river fish
Fished from Illinois River, Mississippi River, Lake Shelbyville, Rend Lake, Chain O'Lakes, Fox River.
Illinois freshwater, month by monthRules and licence
Size and bag limits and seasons in Illinois are set by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and change — read the current rule before you keep a fish.
Statewide rules today
IDNR, where no local rule appliesopen (Statewide, fresh water) · 1 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No statewide daily limit on white, black or hybrid crappie
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No statewide daily limit on blue, channel or flathead catfish
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No statewide daily limit on bluegill, redear or other sunfish
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 5 per person · inland trout stamp (trout in illinois waters other than lake michigan)
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 5 per person · inland trout stamp (trout in illinois waters other than lake michigan)
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No statewide daily limit on blue, channel or flathead catfish
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No statewide daily limit on blue, channel or flathead catfish
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No limit on fish under 17"; 3 fish 17" or longer a day (striped, white, yellow and hybrid striped bass combined)
catch and release only (Statewide, fresh water)
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 6 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 36" TL minimum · 1 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 24" TL minimum · 3 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 5 per person · inland trout stamp (trout in illinois waters other than lake michigan)
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No statewide daily limit on bluegill, redear or other sunfish
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 14" TL minimum · 6 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 6 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 6 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No limit on fish under 17"; 3 fish 17" or longer a day (striped, white, yellow and hybrid striped bass combined)
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 14" TL minimum · 6 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · No limit on fish under 17"; 3 fish 17" or longer a day (striped, white, yellow and hybrid striped bass combined)
As of 8 November 2026. Source IDNR, checked 5 November 2026 · For education only — rules change. Always confirm with IDNR before you keep a fish.
From the blog
All postsMichigan Fishing Regulations: How the Rules Work (2026–27)Michigan fishing regulations explained: the license year, Upper vs Lower Peninsula seasons, Great Lakes zones, muskie registration and where to check limits.Wisconsin Fishing Regulations: How the Rules Work (2026–27)Wisconsin fishing regulations explained: Hwy 10 pike zones, Ceded Territory walleye, Lake Michigan and Superior rules, trout stamps and where to check limits.Best Time to Fish Lake Michigan: Salmon, Perch and More by MonthThe best time to fish Lake Michigan is July to September for king salmon, with spring coho, steelhead runs and Green Bay ice. A month-by-month guide.
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