515 ILCS 5/ Fish and Aquatic Life Code.

(515 ILCS 5/Art. 20 heading) ARTICLE 20. LICENSES AND PERMITS; EXEMPTIONS

(515 ILCS 5/20-5) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-5)

Sec. 20-5. Necessity of license; exemptions.

(a) Any person taking or attempting to take any fish, including minnows for commercial purposes, turtles, mussels, crayfish, or frogs by any means whatever in any waters or lands wholly or in part within the jurisdiction of the State, including that part of Lake Michigan under the jurisdiction of this State, shall first obtain a license to do so, and shall do so only during the respective periods of the year when it shall be lawful as provided in this Code. Individuals under 16, blind residents or residents with a disability, or individuals fishing at fee fishing areas licensed by the Department, however, may fish with sport fishing devices without being required to have a license. For the purpose of this Section an individual is blind or has a disability if that individual has a Class 2 disability as defined in Section 4A of the Illinois Identification Card Act. For purposes of this Section an Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card issued under the Illinois Identification Card Act indicating that the individual named on the card has a Class 2 disability shall be adequate documentation of a disability.

(b) A courtesy non-resident sport fishing license or stamp may be issued at the discretion of the Director, without fee, to (i) any individual officially employed in the wildlife and fish or conservation department of another state or of the United States who is within the State to assist or consult or cooperate with the Director or (ii) the officials of other states, the United States, foreign countries, or officers or representatives of conservation organizations or publications while in the State as guests of the Governor or Director.

(c) The Director may issue special fishing permits without cost to groups of hospital patients or to individuals with disabilities for use on specified dates in connection with supervised fishing for therapy.

(d) Veterans who, according to the determination of the Veterans' Administration as certified by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, are at least 10% disabled with service-related disabilities or in receipt of total disability pensions may fish with sport fishing devices during those periods of the year it is lawful to do so without being required to have a license, on the condition that their respective disabilities do not prevent them from fishing in a manner which is safe to themselves and others.

(e) Each year the Director may designate a period, not to exceed 4 days in duration, when sport fishermen may fish waters wholly or in part within the jurisdiction of the State, including that part of Lake Michigan under the jurisdiction of the State, and not be required to obtain the license or stamp required by subsection (a) of this Section, Section 20-10 or subsection (a) of Section 20-55. The term of any such period shall be established by administrative rule. This subsection shall not apply to commercial fishing.

(f) The Director may issue special fishing permits without cost for a group event, restricted to specific dates and locations if it is determined by the Department that the event is beneficial in promoting sport fishing in Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-10) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-10)

Sec. 20-10. Salmon stamp. Any individual taking or attempting to take salmon in Lake Michigan shall, in addition to any other license required by this Code, first obtain a salmon stamp authorized by the Department and affix it to his or her license. Individuals not required to obtain a license are not required to obtain a salmon stamp.

(Source: P.A. 87-135; 87-833; 87-895; 88-91.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-11)

Sec. 20-11. Inland trout stamp. Any individual taking or attempting to take trout in all waters except Lake Michigan shall, in addition to any other license required by this Code, first obtain an inland trout stamp authorized by the Department. Individuals not required to obtain a license are not required to obtain an inland trout stamp.

(Source: P.A. 88-91.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-15) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-15)

Sec. 20-15. Owners fishing own land; exemption. The owners or bona fide tenants of lands, actually residing on the lands and their children, parents, brothers, and sisters actually permanently residing with them have the right to take with a sport fishing device fish of the kind permitted to be taken or caught under this Code from waters lying upon or flowing over the lands without procuring licenses to do so. This exemption does not apply to club lakes, organizational lakes, or lake developments. Any individual on active duty with the armed forces of the United States who is now and was at the time of entering the Armed Forces a resident of Illinois, who entered the Armed Forces from this State, and who is presently on ordinary or emergency leave from the Armed Forces has the right to catch or take with a sport fishing device fish permitted to be taken or caught by this Code without procuring a license. Any individual exempt from licensure under this Section has only the authority and privileges in taking fish as are provided by this Code. Fishing by an exempt individual may be done only during seasons when it is lawful.

(Source: P.A. 96-1226, eff. 1-1-11.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-20) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-20)

Sec. 20-20. Non-resident licenses. Any individuals 16 years of age or older not residents of the State of Illinois shall, before taking or attempting to take any aquatic life protected by this Code by any means whatever in the State of Illinois, obtain a non-resident license to do so. In addition, before taking or attempting to take salmon from Lake Michigan, a non-resident 16 years of age or older shall obtain a salmon stamp authorized by the Department, and before taking or attempting to take trout from all waters except Lake Michigan, a non-resident 16 years of age or older shall obtain an inland trout stamp authorized by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 87-833; 88-91.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-25) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-25)

Sec. 20-25. Persons controlling artificial lakes. The owners or tenants residing on, or members of private clubs that own or control by lease, lands encompassing artificial lakes of less than 30 acres that belong to the property and are supplied with waters from springs or surface drainage of intermittent streams are permitted to catch or take any of the fish protected by this Code, except largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass, with any size mesh hoop nets constructed of cotton, linen, or synthetic cord, or any size mesh seines not to exceed 100 yards in length, wire nets or baskets or traps, with or without wings, of any size mesh, from these ponds or lakes without obtaining any license for the devices, and then only for the purpose of fish management.

Any fish designated by administrative rule concerning commercial species so taken may be disposed of by sale or barter. Any other fish so taken may not be sold or bartered.

(Source: P.A. 87-833.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-30) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-30)

Sec. 20-30. Application; issuance of license. No license shall be issued to use sport fishing or trot line devices, or any other fishing devices, until application has been made to the Department, to any county, city, village, township, or incorporated town clerk, or any other person authorized or designated by the Department to issue licenses. Each clerk designating agents to issue licenses and salmon stamps shall furnish the Department, within 10 days following the appointment, the names and mailing addresses of the agents. Applications shall be executed and sworn to and shall set forth the name and description of the applicant and place of residence. No license or salmon stamp shall be issued except upon definite proof of identity and place of legal residence.

No clerk shall sell any license or salmon stamp at any place other than within the territorial area for which he or she was elected or appointed. No duly designated agent is authorized to furnish licenses or salmon stamps for issuance by any other business establishment.

(Source: P.A. 89-66, eff. 1-1-96; 90-225, eff. 7-25-97.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-35) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-35)

Sec. 20-35. Offenses.

(a) Except as prescribed in Section 5-25 and unless otherwise provided in this Code, any person who is found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this Code, including administrative rules, is guilty of a petty offense.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of Section 15-45 or 15-60, including administrative rules related to those Sections, is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of Section 5-20, 10-5, 10-10, 10-15, 10-20, 10-25, 10-30, 10-35, 10-50, 10-60, 10-70, 10-75, 10-95, 10-115, 10-135, 15-5, 15-10, 15-15, 15-20, 15-30, 15-32, 15-40, 15-46(b), 15-55, 15-60, 15-65, 15-80, 15-85, 15-90, 15-95, 15-100, 15-105, 15-110, 15-115, 15-120, 15-130, 20-70, 20-75, 20-80, 20-85 (except subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g)), 20-125(c), 25-5, 25-10, 25-15, or 25-20 of this Code, including administrative rules relating to those Sections, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of Section 1-200, 1-205, 10-55, 10-80, 10-100(b), 15-35, 15-46(a), 15-135, 20-91, 20-92, 20-120, or 20-125(d) of this Code, including administrative rules relating to those Sections, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Code, including administrative rules, during the 5 years following the revocation of his or her license, permit, or privileges under Section 20-105 is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Any person who violates Section 5-25 of this Code, including administrative rules, is guilty of a Class 3 felony except as otherwise provided in subsection (a) of Section 5-25.

(b)(1) It is unlawful for any person to take or attempt to take aquatic life from any aquatic life farm except with the consent of the owner of the aquatic life farm. Any person possessing fishing tackle on the premises of an aquatic life farm is presumed to be fishing. The presumption may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence. All fishing tackle, apparatus, and vehicles used in the violation of this subsection (b) shall be confiscated by the arresting officer. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the seizure and confiscation procedures set forth in Section 1-215 of this Code shall apply. If the confiscated property is determined by the circuit court to have been used in the violation of this subsection (b), the confiscated property shall be sold at public auction by the county sheriff of the county where the violation occurred. The proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in the county general fund; provided that the auction may be stayed by an appropriate court order.

(2) A violation of paragraph (1) of this subsection (b) is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense.

(c)(1) It is unlawful for any person to trespass or fish on an aquatic life farm located on a strip mine lake or other body of water used for aquatic life farming operations, or within a 200 foot buffer zone surrounding cages or netpens that are clearly delineated by buoys of a posted aquatic life farm, by swimming, scuba diving, or snorkeling in, around, or under the aquatic life farm or by operating a watercraft over, around, or in the aquatic life farm without the consent of the owner of the aquatic life farm.

(2) A violation of paragraph (1) of this subsection (c) is a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense. All fishing tackle, apparatus, and watercraft used in a second or subsequent violation of this subsection (c) shall be confiscated by the arresting officer. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the seizure and confiscation procedures set forth in Section 1-215 of this Code shall apply. If the confiscated property is determined by the circuit court to have been used in a violation of this subsection (c), the confiscated property shall be sold at public auction by the county sheriff of the county where the violation occurred. The proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in the county general fund; provided that the auction may be stayed by an appropriate court order.

(d) Offenses committed by minors under the direct control or with the consent of a parent or guardian may subject the parent or guardian to the penalties prescribed in this Section or as otherwise provided in this Code.

(e) In addition to any fines imposed under this Section, or as otherwise provided in this Code, any person found guilty of unlawfully taking or possessing any aquatic life protected by this Code shall be assessed a civil penalty for that aquatic life in accordance with the values prescribed in Section 5-25 of this Code. This civil penalty shall be imposed at the time of the conviction by the Circuit Court for the county where the offense was committed. Except as otherwise provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section, all penalties provided for in this Section shall be remitted to the Department in accordance with the provisions of Section 1-180 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 94-222, eff. 7-14-05; 94-592, eff. 1-1-06; 95-147, eff. 8-14-07; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-40) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-40)

Sec. 20-40. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 88-91.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-45) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-45)

Sec. 20-45. License fees for residents. Fees for licenses for residents of the State of Illinois shall be as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, for sport fishing devices as defined in Section 10-95 or spearing devices as defined in Section 10-110, the fee is $14.50 for individuals 16 to 64 years old, one-half of the current fishing license fee for individuals age 65 or older, and, commencing with the 2012 license year, one-half of the current fishing license fee for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces. Veterans must provide to the Department acceptable verification of their service. The Department shall establish by administrative rule the procedure by which such verification of service shall be made to the Department for the purpose of issuing fishing licenses to resident veterans at a reduced fee.

(a-3) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, for sport fishing devices as defined in Section 10-95 or spearing devices as defined in Section 10-110, residents of this State may obtain a 3-year fishing license. The fee for a 3-year fishing license is 3 times the annual fee. For residents age 65 or older, the fee is one half of the fee charged for a 3-year fishing license. For resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 3-year fishing license. Veterans must provide to the Department, per administrative rule, verification of their service. The Department shall establish what constitutes suitable verification of service for the purpose of issuing 3-year fishing licenses to resident veterans at a reduced fee.

(a-5) The fee for all sport fishing licenses shall be $1 for an annual license and 3 times the annual fee for a 3-year license for residents over 75 years of age.

(b) All residents before using any commercial fishing device shall obtain a commercial fishing license, the fee for which shall be $60 and a resident fishing license, the fee for which is $14.50. Each and every commercial device used shall be licensed by a resident commercial fisherman as follows:

(1) For each 100 lineal yards, or fraction thereof, of seine the fee is $18. For each minnow seine, minnow trap, or net for commercial purposes the fee is $20.

(2) For each device to fish with a 100 hook trot line device, basket trap, hoop net, or dip net the fee is $3.

(3) When used in the waters of Lake Michigan, for the first 2000 lineal feet, or fraction thereof, of gill net the fee is $10; and for each 1000 additional lineal feet, or fraction thereof, the fee is $10. These fees shall apply to all gill nets in use in the water or on drying reels on the shore.

(4) For each 100 lineal yards, or fraction thereof, of gill net or trammel net the fee is $18.

(c) Residents of this State may obtain a sportsmen's combination license that shall entitle the holder to the same non-commercial fishing privileges as residents holding a license as described in subsection (a) of this Section and to the same hunting privileges as residents holding a license to hunt all species as described in Section 3.1 of the Wildlife Code. No sportsmen's combination license shall be issued to any individual who would be ineligible for either the fishing or hunting license separately. The sportsmen's combination license fee shall be $25.50. For residents age 65 or older, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a sportsmen's combination license. For resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces, the fee, commencing with the 2012 license year, is one-half of the fee charged for a sportsmen's combination license. Veterans must provide to the Department acceptable verification of their service. The Department shall establish by administrative rule the procedure by which such verification of service shall be made to the Department for the purpose of issuing sportsmen's combination licenses to resident veterans at a reduced fee.

(c-5) Residents of this State may obtain a 3-year sportsmen's combination license that shall entitle the holder to the same non-commercial fishing privileges as residents holding a license as described in subsection (a-3) and to the same hunting privileges as residents holding a license to hunt all species as described in Section 3.1 of the Wildlife Code. A 3-year sportsmen's combination license shall not be issued to any individual who would be ineligible for either the fishing or hunting license separately. The 3-year sportsmen's combination license fee shall be 3 times the annual fee. For residents age 65 or older, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 3-year sportsmen's combination license. For resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 3-year sportsmen's combination license. Veterans must provide to the Department, per administrative rule, verification of their service. The Department shall establish what constitutes suitable verification of service for the purpose of issuing 3-year sportsmen's combination licenses to resident veterans at a reduced fee.

(d) For 24 hours of fishing by sport fishing devices as defined in Section 10-95 or by spearing devices as defined in Section 10-110 the fee is $5. This license does not exempt the licensee from the requirement for a salmon or inland trout stamp. The licenses provided for by this subsection are not required for residents of the State of Illinois who have obtained the license provided for in subsection (a) or (a-3) of this Section.

(e) All residents before using any commercial mussel device shall obtain a commercial mussel license, the fee for which shall be $50.

(f) Residents of this State, upon establishing residency as required by the Department, may obtain a lifetime hunting or fishing license or lifetime sportsmen's combination license which shall entitle the holder to the same non-commercial fishing privileges as residents holding a license as described in paragraph (a) of this Section and to the same hunting privileges as residents holding a license to hunt all species as described in Section 3.1 of the Wildlife Code. No lifetime sportsmen's combination license shall be issued to or retained by any individual who would be ineligible for either the fishing or hunting license separately, either upon issuance, or in any year a violation would subject an individual to have either or both fishing or hunting privileges rescinded. The lifetime hunting and fishing license fees shall be as follows:

(1) Lifetime fishing: 30 x the current fishing license fee.

(2) Lifetime hunting: 30 x the current hunting license fee.

(3) Lifetime sportsmen's combination license: 30 x the current sportsmen's combination license fee.

Lifetime licenses shall not be refundable. A $10 fee shall be charged for reissuing any lifetime license. The Department may establish rules and regulations for the issuance and use of lifetime licenses and may suspend or revoke any lifetime license issued under this Section for violations of those rules or regulations or other provisions under this Code or the Wildlife Code, or a violation of the United States Code that involves the taking, possessing, killing, harvesting, transportation, selling, exporting, or importing any fish or aquatic life protected by this Code or the taking, possessing, killing, harvesting, transportation, selling, exporting, or importing any fauna protected by the Wildlife Code when any part of the United States Code violation occurred in Illinois. Individuals under 16 years of age who possess a lifetime hunting or sportsmen's combination license shall have in their possession, while in the field, a certificate of competency as required under Section 3.2 of the Wildlife Code. Any lifetime license issued under this Section shall not exempt individuals from obtaining additional stamps or permits required under the provisions of this Code or the Wildlife Code. Individuals required to purchase additional stamps shall sign the stamps and have them in their possession while fishing or hunting with a lifetime license. All fees received from the issuance of lifetime licenses shall be deposited in the Fish and Wildlife Endowment Fund.

Except for licenses issued under subsection (e) of this Section, all licenses provided for in this Section shall expire on March 31 of each year, except that the license provided for in subsection (d) of this Section shall expire 24 hours after the effective date and time listed on the face of the license. Licenses issued under subsection (a-3) or (c-5) shall expire on March 31 of the 2nd year after the year in which the license is issued.

The Department shall by administrative rule provide for the automatic renewal of a fishing license upon the request of the applicant.

All individuals required to have and failing to have the license provided for in subsection (a), (a-3), or (d) of this Section shall be fined according to the provisions of Section 20-35 of this Code.

All individuals required to have and failing to have the licenses provided for in subsections (b) and (e) of this Section shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(g) For the purposes of this Section, "acceptable verification" means official documentation from the Department of Defense or the appropriate Major Command showing mobilization dates or service abroad dates, including: (i) a DD-214, (ii) a letter from the Illinois Department of Military Affairs for members of the Illinois National Guard, (iii) a letter from the Regional Reserve Command for members of the Armed Forces Reserve, (iv) a letter from the Major Command covering Illinois for active duty members, (v) personnel records for mobilized State employees, and (vi) any other documentation that the Department, by administrative rule, deems acceptable to establish dates of mobilization or service abroad.

For the purposes of this Section, the term "service abroad" means active duty service outside of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and includes all active duty service in territories and possessions of the United States.

(Source: P.A. 102-780, eff. 5-13-22; 102-837, eff. 5-13-22; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-456, eff. 1-1-24.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-47)

Sec. 20-47. Military members returning from mobilization and service outside the United States.

(a) After returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces, an Illinois resident may fish as permitted by this Code without paying any fees required to obtain a fishing license for the time period prescribed by subsection (b) of this Section if the Illinois resident applies for a license within 2 years after returning from service abroad or mobilization. The applicant shall provide acceptable verification of service or mobilization to the Department. The Department shall establish by administrative rule the procedure by which such verification of service shall be made to the Department for the purpose of issuing fishing licenses to resident active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces.

(b) For each year that an applicant is an active duty member pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section, the applicant shall receive one free fishing license. For the purposes of this determination, if the period of active duty is a portion of a year (for example, one year and 3 months), the applicant will be credited with a full year for the portion of a year served.

(c) (Blank).

(d) For the purposes of this Section, "acceptable verification of service or mobilization" means official documentation from the Department of Defense or the appropriate Major Command showing mobilization dates or service abroad dates, including: (i) a DD-214, (ii) a letter from the Illinois Department of Military Affairs for members of the Illinois National Guard, (iii) a letter from the Regional Reserve Command for members of the Armed Forces Reserve, (iv) a letter from the Major Command covering Illinois for active duty members, (v) personnel records for mobilized State employees, and (vi) any other documentation that the Department, by administrative rule, deems acceptable to establish dates of mobilization or service abroad.

(e) For the purposes of this Section, the term "service abroad" means active duty service outside of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and includes all active duty service in territories and possessions of the United States.

(Source: P.A. 102-780, eff. 5-13-22.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-50) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-50)

Sec. 20-50. Salmon stamp fee. The fee for a salmon stamp shall be $6 for both resident and non-resident licensees. The fee for a salmon stamp shall be waived for residents over 75 years of age. Every person shall sign the salmon stamp or affix the salmon stamp to his or her license. These stamps shall expire on March 31 of each year. All individuals required to have and failing to have a salmon stamp as provided in Section 20-10 of this Code shall be guilty of a petty offense.

(Source: P.A. 98-800, eff. 8-1-14.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-51)

Sec. 20-51. Inland trout stamp. The fee for an inland trout stamp shall be $6 for both resident and nonresident licensees. The fee for an inland trout stamp shall be waived for residents over 75 years of age. These stamps shall expire on March 31 of each year. All individuals required to have and who fail to have an inland trout stamp, as provided in Section 20-11 of this Code, shall be guilty of a petty offense.

(Source: P.A. 98-800, eff. 8-1-14.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-55) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-55)

Sec. 20-55. License fees for non-residents. Fees for licenses for non-residents of the State of Illinois are as follows:

(a) For sport fishing devices as defined by Section 10-95, or spearing devices as defined in Section 10-110, non-residents age 16 or older shall be charged $31 for a fishing license to fish. For sport fishing devices as defined by Section 10-95, or spearing devices as defined in Section 10-110, for a period not to exceed 3 consecutive days fishing in the State of Illinois the fee is $15.00.

For sport fishing devices as defined in Section 10-95, or spearing devices as defined in Section 10-110, for 24 hours of fishing the fee is $10. This license does not exempt the licensee from the salmon or inland trout stamp requirement.

(b) All non-residents before using any commercial fishing device shall obtain a non-resident commercial fishing license, the fee for which shall be $300, and a non-resident fishing license. Each and every commercial device shall be licensed by a non-resident commercial fisherman as follows:

(1) For each 100 lineal yards, or fraction thereof, of seine (excluding minnow seines) the fee is $36.

(2) For each device to fish with a 100 hook trot line device, basket trap, hoop net, or dip net the fee is $6.

(3) For each 100 lineal yards, or fraction thereof, of trammel net the fee is $36.

(4) For each 100 lineal yards, or fraction thereof, of gill net the fee is $36.

All persons required to have and failing to have the license provided for in subsection (a) of this Section shall be fined under Section 20-35 of this Code. Each person required to have and failing to have the licenses required under subsection (b) of this Section shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

All licenses provided for in this Section shall expire on March 31 of each year; except that the 24-hour license for sport fishing devices or spearing devices shall expire 24 hours after the effective date and time listed on the face of the license and licenses for sport fishing devices or spearing devices for a period not to exceed 3 consecutive days fishing in the State of Illinois as provided in subsection (a) of this Section shall expire at midnight on the tenth day after issued, not counting the day issued.

(Source: P.A. 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-56)

Sec. 20-56. First-time fishing license. Except as otherwise provided in this Code, for sport fishing devices as defined in Section 10-95 or spearing devices as defined in Section 10-110, any resident of Illinois who is 26 years of age or older who has not purchased a resident fishing license in the past 10 years is eligible to receive a one-time annual resident fishing license for a fee of $5. Any nonresident who is 26 years of age or older and has not purchased a nonresident fishing license in the past 10 years is eligible to receive a one-time annual sport fishing license for a fee of $10.

(Source: P.A. 103-528, eff. 1-1-24.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-60) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-60)

Sec. 20-60. Reciprocal fishing agreements. The Department of Natural Resources may in its discretion enter into reciprocal fishing agreements with the States of Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Indiana to permit persons licensed or legally exempt from licenses by those states to fish in any of the waters forming a boundary between those states and the State of Illinois and lying within the territorial jurisdiction of this State in the same manner and to the same extent that persons holding or legally exempt from Illinois licenses may do if the laws of Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Indiana, respectively, extend a similar privilege to persons licensed or legally exempt under the laws of this State. Such an agreement shall be made subject, however, to the duties, responsibilities, and liabilities imposed on its own licensees by the terms of this Code and the laws of this State and shall be further subject to revocation at any time whenever revocation shall be deemed necessary in the discretion of the Department of Natural Resources of this State.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-65) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-65)

Sec. 20-65. Tags for devices. Each licensee of any of the devices or boats named in this Code, other than a sport fishing device, shall receive from the person issuing the license a tag, furnished by the Department. The tag shall be attached to the device licensed in the following manner:

(a) On a seine the tag shall be attached to the brail or to the leader line adjoining the brail on either end of the seine.

(b) Nets of any type shall be tagged on the rear hoop, tail line, or on the tail pole if a pole is used as part of the net device.

(c) All other devices shall be tagged in a position that is at all times exposed to public view.

The Department may furnish sport fishing licensees with an insignia as evidence of possession of licenses as the Department may consider advisable. The insignia shall be exhibited and used as the Department may establish by rule.

(Source: P.A. 89-66, eff. 1-1-96.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-70) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-70)

Sec. 20-70. Non-resident and resident aquatic life dealers.

(a) Non-resident aquatic life dealers. Any person not a resident of Illinois who sells or ships to other wholesalers, retailers, or consumers any of the aquatic life protected by this Code, whether from waters within or without the State is a non-resident aquatic life dealer within the meaning of this Code.

All licenses issued to non-resident aquatic life dealers are valid only in the location described and designated in the application for the license. Wholesalers may deliver their products by truck or common carrier of any type but must possess a separate license for each truck from which aquatic life are being sold if business is solicited from the trucks.

Application for a non-resident aquatic life dealer's license shall be made to and upon forms furnished by the Department and shall be in the form as the Department may prescribe. The annual fee for a non-resident aquatic life dealer's license shall be $100. All non-resident aquatic life dealer licenses shall expire on March 31 of each year.

Non-residents purchasing aquatic life in Illinois for sale solely outside the State are exempt from possessing an aquatic life dealer's license if purchases are made from a licensed resident wholesale or retail aquatic life dealer.

(b) Resident aquatic life dealer's licenses. Any person conducting a fish market or buying, selling, or shipping any aquatic life (except minnows) protected by this Code, whether from waters within or without the State, shall first procure a license from the Department to do so, including any commercial fisherman selling live fish for stocking only. Any commercial fisherman selling fish legally caught or taken by themselves to a resident licensed wholesale aquatic life dealer, however, is exempt from the provisions of this Section.

(1) Wholesale aquatic life dealer's license. Any resident of this State who, within the State of Illinois, conducts a wholesale fish market or who sells or ships to any other wholesaler, retailer, or other commercial institution aquatic life protected by this Code, whether from waters within or without the State, is a resident wholesale aquatic life dealer in the meaning of this Code.

This provision, however, does not apply to minnows or saltwater species commonly used as seafood that will not survive in freshwater, such as lobsters, clams, mussels, and oysters.

All licenses issued to resident wholesale aquatic life dealers are valid only in the location described and designated in the application for license. Wholesale aquatic life dealers may deliver their products by truck or other common carrier but must possess a separate license for each truck from which aquatic life is being sold if business is solicited from the truck. Applications for resident wholesale aquatic life dealer's licenses shall be made to and upon forms furnished by the Department, which shall be in the form as the Department may prescribe. The annual license fee for each wholesale aquatic life dealer's license is $50. All wholesale aquatic life dealer's licenses shall expire on March 31 of each year.

(2) Retail aquatic life dealer's license. Any resident of the State of Illinois who, within the State of Illinois, conducts a retail fish market where he or she sells or offers for sale any aquatic life protected by this Code, whether from waters from within or without the State, is a retail aquatic life dealer in the meaning of this Code.

This provision, however, does not apply to minnows or saltwater species commonly used as seafood that will not survive in freshwater, such as lobsters, clams, mussels, and oysters.

All licenses issued to resident aquatic life dealers are valid only in the location described and designated in the application for the license. Retailers may deliver their products by truck or other common carrier but must possess a separate license for each truck from which aquatic life is being sold if business is solicited from the truck.

Applications for resident retail aquatic life dealer's licenses shall be made to and upon forms furnished by the Department, which shall be in the form the Department may prescribe. The annual license for each resident retail aquatic life dealer's license is $10. All these licenses shall expire on March 31 of each year.

(3) Separate licenses. A license shall be procured for each separate fish market or place of business operated by any wholesale or retail aquatic life dealer, whether a resident or non-resident, and for each vehicle from which aquatic life is sold. All licenses shall be conspicuously displayed at all times.

(c) The Department may adopt administrative rules pertaining to non-resident and resident aquatic life dealers. Any person who violates any provision of this Section 20-70, or related administrative rule, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 100-256, eff. 1-1-18.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-75) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-75)

Sec. 20-75. Mussel dealer permits; fees; violations. Any person, before receiving, buying, or offering to do so, or acting as an agent or broker in receipt or purchase of mussels, within the State of Illinois, shall first obtain a permit from the Department to do so.

The fee for a permit for residents of the State of Illinois shall be $300 a year, and for non-residents of the State of Illinois the fee shall be $2,500 a year. These permits shall expire on March 31 of each year. A report of each year's activities of each person holding a permit shall be required as directed by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 100-256, eff. 1-1-18.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-80) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-80)

Sec. 20-80. Minnow dealers license; penalties. Any resident who, within the State of Illinois, sells or offers for sale, to any other wholesaler or retailer or for consumption, live minnows, whether from waters within or without the State is an intrastate wholesale minnow dealer for purposes of this Code. Any person selling live minnows for stocking only or selling live minnows legally caught or taken by that person to a licensed wholesale minnow dealer, however, is exempt from the provisions of this Section.

(a) Before any resident commences activities as an intrastate wholesale minnow dealer, he or she shall first procure a license from the Department to do so. The fee for the license shall be $25 and these licenses shall expire on March 31 of each year.

Before any resident commences activities as an intrastate retail minnow dealer, he or she shall first obtain a license from the Department to do so. The fee for the license shall be $5 and these licenses shall expire on March 31 of each year.

(b) Only persons who are actual residents of the State of Illinois shall be permitted to transport live minnows obtained in the State of Illinois across any of the borders of the State of Illinois. These persons shall be interstate minnow dealers for purposes of this Code. Before any resident of the State of Illinois shall commence activities as an interstate minnow dealer, he or she shall first obtain a license from the Department to do so. The fee for the license shall be $500 and these licenses shall expire on March 31 of each year. This Section shall not apply to a resident of the State of Illinois possessing a valid sport fishing license. An individual possessing a valid sport fishing license shall be permitted to transport not more than 6 dozen live minnows obtained in Illinois across the borders of the State of Illinois.

(c) The Department is authorized to establish regulations as may be deemed necessary in the handling of minnows in order to protect the resource as well as the public's interest.

(Source: P.A. 100-256, eff. 1-1-18.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-82)

Sec. 20-82. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-452, eff. 8-14-09. Repealed internally, eff. 1-1-11.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-85) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-85)

Sec. 20-85. Taxidermist license.

(a) Before engaging in the business of taxidermy, every person shall obtain a license for that purpose from the Department. Application for a license shall be filed with the Department and shall set forth the name of the applicant; its principal officers, if the applicant is a corporation, or the partners, if the applicant is a partnership; the location of the place of business; and any additional information the Department may require. The annual fee for each taxidermist license shall be $25. All licenses issued to taxidermists are valid only at the location described and designated on the application for the license. All taxidermist licenses shall expire on March 31 of each year. Individuals employed by a licensed taxidermist shall not be required to possess a taxidermist license while working for and at the place of business of the license holder.

Licensed taxidermists shall submit to the Department a list naming all individuals who will be working at the place of business specified on the permit. Only those individuals whose names are on file with the Department shall be authorized to work under the scope of the taxidermist's license.

(b) Taxidermists shall keep written records of all aquatic life or parts of aquatic life received or returned by them. Records shall include the following information:

(1) The date the aquatic life was received.

(2) The name and address of the person from whom the aquatic life was received.

(3) The number and species of all aquatic life received.

(4) The number and state of issuance of the fishing license, or special Department permit, of the person from whom the aquatic life was received. In the absence of a license or permit number, the taxidermist may rely on the written certification of the person from whom the aquatic life was received that the specimen was legally taken or obtained, or, in the event the person is exempt from the apposite license requirements, an indication of the exemption.

(c) All aquatic life or parts of aquatic life that have been received, preserved, mounted, or possessed by a taxidermist are required to bear a coded origin tag or label. The coded origin tag or label shall correspond with written records containing more complete information as required by the Department.

(d) Taxidermy records shall be open for inspection by any peace officer at any reasonable hour. Taxidermists shall maintain records for a period of 2 years from the date of receipt of the aquatic life or for as long as the specimen or mount remains in the taxidermist's possession, whichever is longer.

The Department may require the taxidermist to submit to it any information it deems necessary.

(e) No taxidermist shall have in his or her possession any aquatic life that is not listed in his or her written records and properly tagged or labeled.

(f) All persons licensed as taxidermists under this Code who shall ship any aquatic life or parts of aquatic life that have been received, preserved, or mounted shall tag or label the shipment and the tag or label shall state the name of the taxidermist and the number and date of his or her license.

(g) Nothing in this Section removes taxidermists from responsibility for the observance of any federal laws, rules, or regulations that may apply to the taxidermy business.

(Source: P.A. 100-256, eff. 1-1-18.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-90) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-90)

Sec. 20-90. Aquaculture permits. Any person who shall engage in the breeding, hatching, propagation, or raising of aquatic life, whether indigenous or non-indigenous to this State, shall first procure a permit from the Department to do so. Aquatic life specified, which is bred, hatched, propagated or raised by a person holding a permit as provided for in this Section, may be transported and sold for food or stocking purposes. Permittees who sell aquatic life propagated or raised under this permit are exempt from possessing a fish or minnow dealers license.

Aquaculture permit holders shall maintain records of all aquatic life bought, sold or shipped. These records shall include the name and address of the buyer and seller, the appropriate license or permit number of the buyer and seller, the date of the transaction, and the species, poundage, and origin of aquatic life involved. The records shall be kept for a minimum of 2 years from the date of the transaction and shall be made immediately available to authorized employees of the Department upon request. Records of the annual operations, as may be required by the Department, shall be forwarded to the Department upon request.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to give permittees authority to take aquatic life in their wild or natural state, contrary to other provisions of this Code, or to remove the permittee from responsibility for the observance of any federal, State, or local laws, rules, or regulations that may apply to the aquatic life.

Aquaculture permit holders may harvest aquatic life on licensed aquaculture facilities with commercial fishing devices without obtaining any license for these devices.

Before any person imports or receives live, non-indigenous aquatic life for aquaculture or stocking purposes in this State, permission must be obtained from the Department. Regulations governing non-indigenous aquatic life shall be covered by administrative rule.

The annual fee for a permit under this Section shall be $50 and the permit shall expire on March 31 of each year.

Any person who violates any provisions of this Section, including administrative rules relating to this Section, shall be guilty of a business offense and fined not less than $1,000 and no more than $5,000.

Permitted aquaculture facilities are exempt from size, catch, and possession limits and seasons on aquatic life when harvested, sold, or transported, except when taken by sport fishing devices.

All permits issued under this Section are valid only in the location described and designated in the application for such permit.

(Source: P.A. 100-256, eff. 1-1-18.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-91)

Sec. 20-91. Commercial roe harvest permit.

(a) Any commercial fisherman who engages in taking roe-bearing species with commercial fishing devices from legally open waters of the State must annually procure a commercial roe harvest permit from the Department. All individuals assisting a licensed commercial roe harvester in taking roe bearing fishes must also have a commercial roe harvest permit unless these individuals are under the direct supervision of and aboard the same watercraft as the licensed commercial roe harvester. The annual fee for a commercial roe harvest permit is $250 for State residents and $3,500 for non-residents. All commercial roe harvest permits shall expire on May 31 of each year.

(b) It is unlawful for a commercial roe harvest permittee to possess roe more than 5 days after the conclusion of the harvest season without a commercial roe dealer permit.

(c) Violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum mandatory fine of $500.

(Source: P.A. 95-147, eff. 8-14-07.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-92)

Sec. 20-92. Commercial roe dealer permit.

(a) Any resident wholesale aquatic life dealer who buys, sells, or ships roe from roe-bearing species, whether from the waters within or without the State, must annually procure a commercial roe dealer permit from the Department in addition to an aquatic life dealers license. The annual fee for a commercial roe dealer permit is $500 for resident wholesale aquatic life dealers and $1,500 for non-resident aquatic life dealers. All commercial roe dealer permits shall expire on March 31 of each year.

(b) Legally licensed commercial roe dealer permit holders may designate up to 2 employees on their commercial roe dealer permit. Employees designated on a commercial roe dealer permit must retain a copy of this permit in their possession while transporting roe bearing fishes either whole or in part.

(c) A violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum mandatory fine of $500.

(Source: P.A. 100-256, eff. 1-1-18.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-95) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-95)

Sec. 20-95. Daily fee fishing area. Any person owning, controlling, or operating a water area, including access to this water area, that is used for fishing by those either directly or indirectly paying a daily fee for fishing shall make application to the Department for a license as provided in this Section. Upon receipt of an application, the Department shall inspect the proposed licensed area described in the application, the size and number of water areas, source of fish for stocking, species of fish to be stocked and determine the ability of the applicant to properly supervise a property of this character. If the Department finds that (i) the area is suitable for the purpose intended, (ii) the operation of the property is not a menace or being established contrary to the laws of this State, (iii) the operations of the fee fishing area will not work a fraud upon individuals utilizing the facilities, and (iv) the issuing of the license will be in the public interest, then the Department shall approve the application and issue a license to operate a "Daily Fee Fishing Area" as described in the application.

The fee for a license issued under this Section shall be $50 annually, and the license shall expire on March 31 following its issuance.

Records of the season's operations, as may be required by the Department, shall be forwarded to the Department by the licensee within 30 days after the expiration date of the license.

The Department may refuse to issue, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke any license issued under this Section if the Department finds that the licensed area or its operator is not in compliance with this Section. The Department, however, shall not refuse to issue or renew, or suspend or revoke, any license for any cause other than the protection of public health and safety or if the area is operated unlawfully, unless the licensee affected is given at least 15 days notice, in writing, of the reasons for the action of the Department and given an opportunity to appear before the Department or its representative in opposition to the action of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 100-256, eff. 1-1-18.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-100) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-100)

Sec. 20-100. Scientific collector's permit. Permits may be granted by the Department to properly accredited individuals of the age of 18 years and older permitting the collection for strictly scientific purposes of any aquatic life protected under this Code, and their nests, eggs, and spawn.

The application for a permit for scientific purposes shall be subject to the approval of the Department.

The holder of each scientific collector's permit shall make reports to the Department as required.

(Source: P.A. 89-66, eff. 1-1-96.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-105) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-105)

Sec. 20-105. Revocation and suspension; refusal to issue.

(a) Whenever a license or permit is issued to any person under this Code and its holder is found guilty of any misrepresentation in obtaining the license or permit or of a violation of Section 48-3 of the Criminal Code of 2012 or a violation of any of the provisions of this Code, including administrative rules, or a violation of the United States Code that involves the taking, possessing, killing, harvesting, transportation, selling, exporting, or importing any aquatic life protected by this Code when any part of the United States Code violation occurred in Illinois, the license or permit may be revoked by the Department and the Department may refuse to issue any permit or license to that person and may suspend the person from engaging in the activity requiring the permit or license for a period of time not to exceed 5 years following the revocation. Department revocation procedure shall be established by administrative rule.

(b) Whenever any person who has not been issued a license or a permit under the provisions of this Code is found guilty of a violation of Section 48-3 of the Criminal Code of 2012 or a violation of the provisions of this Code, including administrative rules, or a violation of the United States Code that involves the taking, possessing, killing, harvesting, transportation, selling, exporting, or importing any aquatic life protected by this Code when any part of the United States Code violation occurred in Illinois, the Department may refuse to issue any permit or license to that person, and suspend that person from engaging in the activity requiring the permit or license for a period of time not to exceed 5 years.

(c) Any person who knowingly or intentionally violates any of the provisions of this Code, including administrative rules, during the 5 years following the revocation of his or her license or permit under subsection (a) or during the time he is suspended under subsection (b), shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor as provided in Section 20-35. The penalties for a violation of Section 48-3 of the Criminal Code of 2012 shall be as provided in that Section.

(d) A person whose license or permit to engage in any activity regulated by this Code has been suspended or revoked may not, during the period of the suspension or revocation or until obtaining such a license or permit, (i) be in the company of any person engaging in the activity covered by the suspension or revocation or (ii) serve as a guide, outfitter, or facilitator for a person who is engaged or prepared to engage in the activity covered by the suspension or revocation.

(e) No person may be issued or obtain a license or permit or engage in any activity regulated by this Code during the time that the person's privilege to engage in the same or similar activities is suspended or revoked by another state, by a federal agency, or by a province of Canada.

(f) Any person whose license, stamps, permits, or any other privilege issued by the Department has been suspended or revoked shall immediately return proof of such privileges to the Department. The Department, or any law enforcement entity, is authorized to take possession of any proof of privileges. Any person failing to comply with this subsection by possessing a suspended or revoked license, stamp, or permit issued by the Department after having received written notice from the Department or any other State agency or department of such suspension or revocation is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 102-837, eff. 5-13-22; 103-456, eff. 1-1-24.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-110) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-110)

Sec. 20-110. Possession of license, permit, or stamp. Every person holding any license, salmon stamp, inland trout stamp, or permit issued under this Code shall have it in his or her possession for immediate presentation for inspection to the authorized employees of the Department, or to any sheriff, deputy sheriff, or any other peace officer, making a demand for it within his or her jurisdiction.

(Source: P.A. 87-833; 88-91.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-115) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-115)

Sec. 20-115. Form of licenses, stamps, and permits. Licenses, salmon stamps, inland trout stamps, and permits authorized to be issued under this Code shall be prepared by the Department and shall be in the form prescribed by the Department. In addition, at the time of issuance, the information required on each license shall be completed on it by the issuing agent or his or her sub-agent and each license shall be signed by the licensee, or initialed by the designated purchaser and then signed immediately upon receipt by the licensee, and counter-signed by the issuing agent or his or her sub-agent. All licenses shall be supplied by the Department, subject to any rules and regulations as the Department may prescribe. Any license not properly prepared, obtained, and signed as required by this Code shall be void.

(Source: P.A. 90-225, eff. 7-25-97.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-120) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-120)

Sec. 20-120. Designation of agents; liability; bond. The Department of Natural Resources has the authority to designate agents to sell licenses, stamps, and permits on behalf of the Department. Any person receiving licenses from the Department for sale as provided in this Section (i) shall execute and deliver receipts for the licenses; (ii) shall, on dates specified by the Department, report in writing to the Department the number and kinds of licenses sold; and (iii) shall, with the report, make remittance to the Department covering the amounts due it from the sales. Failure on the part of any clerk or agent to fully comply with the provisions of this Code, including administrative rules, shall be justification for the Department to cancel or withdraw the issuance of licenses through that clerk or agent. A salmon stamp shall be deemed a license for the purposes of this Section.

(a) Any person appointed or designated by the Department including any county, city, village, township, or incorporated town clerk issuing licenses provided for in this Code may add the fees provided in paragraph (b) as the fee for issuing the licenses. These clerks, however, shall remit to the treasurer of the political subdivision of which he or she is an officer or employee, the added fees or any portion of the added fees he or she collects provided in paragraph (b). Issuing fees may be divided between the clerks and their appointed subagents other than employees of the clerk's office, but in no case may any clerk or subagent charge an issuing fee or fees totaling more than the issuing fee set out in this Section.

(b) Any person authorized to issue licenses under subsection (a) may add to the license fee a fee of $.75 in the case of Sportsmen's Combination Licenses or nonresident hunting licenses, and $.50 in the case of all other licenses, permits, and stamps.

(c) No person or subagent of any county, city, village, township, or incorporated town clerk may charge a service fee for issuing licenses provided for in this Code, and the charging of fees for issuing licenses in excess of the fees authorized is a petty offense. Any person authorized to issue licenses by telephone and electronic transmission or incurring costs for customer convenience may charge in addition to the "issuing fee" authorized by this Section a fee not to exceed an amount set by the Department, by administrative rule, to cover the transaction cost.

(d) All fees, less issuing fees, collected from the sale of licenses and permits and not remitted to the Department as provided in this Section shall be deemed to have been embezzled and the person or officer responsible for the remittance is subject to prosecution. No person handling or selling licenses is required to remit for any license now or hereafter stolen, by means of forcible entry, or destroyed by a fire in the premises where the licenses are kept, if he or she submits an affidavit to the Department describing the circumstances of the theft or cause of the destruction and listing in the affidavit the type and numbers of the licenses so stolen or destroyed.

(e) Within 30 days after the expiration of the time in which any class of license is usable, payment for licenses sold shall be made in full to the Department and persons possessing unused license forms shall return them to the Department prepaid.

(f) No person is permitted to make deductions from remittances sent to the Department for postage or for the cost of, or fees for, drafts or money orders.

(g) Any county, city, village, township, or incorporated town clerk handling or selling licenses as provided in this Section is liable to the State personally. All other persons designated or appointed by the Department to handle or sell licenses as provided in this Section shall, before receiving any licenses for sale, file with the Department a bond in an amount specified by the Department on a form to be approved by and with a surety or sureties satisfactory to the Department conditioned upon the person or persons paying to the State of Illinois all monies becoming due by reason of the sale of the licenses.

(h) No person shall falsify, alter, or change in any manner, or loan or transfer to another, any license, permit, or tag issued under this Section or falsify any records required by this Code or counterfeit or duplicate any form of license, permit, or tag provided for by this Code. Any person who violates this subsection shall be subject to the penalty provisions of Section 20-35 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96; 90-225, eff. 7-25-97; 90-743, eff. 1-1-99.)

(515 ILCS 5/20-125) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-125)

Sec. 20-125. Records; reports; receipts.

(a) Any person engaged in the buying, selling, or shipping of aquatic life in the State, under Sections 20-70, 20-75, 20-80, 20-91, and 20-92 of this Act, shall maintain the following minimum records:

(1) the name and address of the buyer;

(2) the name and address of the seller;

(3) the date of the transaction;

(4) the species and quantity to the nearest half pound, if applicable, or number of whole species bought, sold, or shipped; and

(5) the license or permit number of the buyer and seller, if applicable.

Reports must be submitted to the Department on forms furnished for that purpose by the Department and at intervals prescribed by the Department by administrative rule. Failure to submit reports as required is grounds for license suspension or revocation.

(b) All aquatic life dealers, including but not limited to minnow dealers, fish dealers, commercial roe dealers, mussel dealers, and breeders, shall, upon purchasing or receiving any aquatic life protected by this Code, issue a numbered receipt to the commercial fisherman, musselor, dealer, breeder, or other person from whom the aquatic life was purchased, setting forth the number of pounds and kinds of aquatic life, the date of purchase, the price paid per pound for each species, the name and address of the commercial fisherman, musselor, dealer, breeder, or other person from whom the aquatic life was purchased, and the appropriate license number of the commercial fisherman, musselor, dealer, breeder, or other person from whom the aquatic life was purchased if applicable, and the origin of the aquatic life.

The original receipt shall be retained by the aquatic life dealer for a minimum of 2 years from the date of purchase listed on the receipt. A duplicate receipt shall be given to the commercial fisherman, musselor, dealer, breeder, or other person from whom the aquatic life was purchased at the time of purchase.

(c) All receipts, reports, and records required by the Department in subsections (a) and (b) shall be available for inspection by any authorized employee of the Department or any other peace officer upon request. Failure to comply with the provisions of this subsection (c) shall bar the licensee from obtaining a permit or license for aquatic life purchasing for the following year. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this subsection (c) shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(d) It is unlawful to falsify any information or record or to provide fraudulent information or records to the Department. Violation of this subsection (d) is a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 95-147, eff. 8-14-07.)