Illinois Hunting & Fishing

Illinois is famous among deer hunters for one thing above all: giant whitetail bucks. The fertile farmland of the central and western counties, combined with strong genetics and conservative management, makes hunting guides in Illinois some of the most sought-after in the Midwest, with the shotgun and archery seasons producing booner bucks year after year. The state also has a strong waterfowl tradition along the Illinois and Mississippi river bottoms.

Fishing in Illinois spans the Great Lakes and the heartland. Charters on Lake Michigan out of Chicago and Waukegan chase coho and king salmon plus lake trout, while inland the Mississippi, Illinois, and Ohio rivers and reservoirs like Carlyle Lake hold largemouth, crappie, white bass, and catfish. The state's mix of trophy deer ground and varied water keeps outfitters busy across all four seasons.