2016 Illinois Fishing Tournament Applications Accepted by IDNR Beginning Nov. 1

2016 Illinois Fishing Tournament Applications Accepted by IDNR Beginning Nov. 1

Waterfowl and Deer hunters are taking to the field while fishing tournament organizers and clubs are starting to think about the 2016 tournament year.  Below is a press release from The Illinois Department of Natural Resources informing clubs and organizers that they can start applying for their 2016 permits.

Remember the Tournament Permitting Process can be done online.  This process was released back in September.   The hope is that this system will "create a quick, easy mechanism for applying for a fishing tournament permit and gathering the anglers’ catch data afterwards."  The permitting process can be found at the I-Fish-Illinois website.  Don't forget in order to apply for 2016 you'll need to submit the catch results for 2015 tournaments.  "Tournament organizers will see the words “post results” in their online tournament listing if they still have 2015 results that need to be entered."


With clubs, organizations, colleges and now high school groups, tournament fishing is becoming more popular than ever.  In 2015 alone there was about 1,400 registered tournaments.  "The catch data submitted by the angling clubs and tournament trails is vital information needed for the management of the waters they fish."

If you're reading this and you fish tournaments, send this along to your tournament director.

2016 Illinois Fishing Tournament Applications Accepted by IDNR Beginning Nov. 1

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Fishing tournament organizers can apply to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for tournament permits for 2016 beginning Nov. 1, 2015.

Most fishing clubs and fishing tournament trail organizers can apply for tournament permits by utilizing their IDNR fishing tournament online accounts and applying for 2016 tournament dates through the website at www.ifishillinois.org. Catch results from 2015 tournaments must be entered before fishing clubs and tournament trails will be allowed to request tournament dates for 2016. Tournament organizers will see the words “post results” in their online tournament listing if they still have 2015 results that need to be entered.

Tournament fishing is extremely popular in Illinois. In 2015, there were approximately 1,400 registered fishing tournaments on Illinois’ waters. The catch data submitted by the angling clubs and tournament trails is vital information needed for the management of the waters they fish.

“Thanks to all tournament fishermen for being so conscientious in securing tournament permits, for posting the catch results afterward, and for being such good stewards of the fisheries resources in the state,” said Debbie Bruce, chief of the IDNR Division of Fisheries. “Having catch data helps make our jobs as fisheries biologists easier and more effective.”

Fishing tournament organizers who do not yet have an IDNR online tournament account can apply for one at this link: http://www.ifishillinois.org/tournament/index.php. Paper applications will still be accepted; however, the IDNR prefers that tournament applications be done online. All paper applications will be converted to online applications as the IDNR phases out the paper forms.

*This information was provided by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Press Release.