Illinois Sport Fishing Awards
The Division of Fisheries offers "Hook-and-Line" and "Spear/Bow and Arrow" angler recognition awards for fish caught in Illinois waters. Junior angler awards are for young anglers under 16 years of age catching or bowfishing their first Illinois fish. Big Fish, Catch-and-Release, Master Angler, Grand Slam, and State Record Awards are available to any hook-and-line or bowfishing angler meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in the rules below.
Now available here, Junior Angler, Catch-and-Release, and Big Fish certificates can be downloaded and printed from your personal computer. Completed applications with associated information for Master Angler, Grand Slam, and State Record awards must be sent to the Division of Fisheries for processing. Awards are returned to the angler at the end of the current fishing season.
Refer to the appropriate rules section for more information.
Spear/Bow Awards
Hook-and-Line Awards
Bowfishing Big Fish Award:
print certificate
Type your personal information on certificate prior to printing.
Junior Angler Bowfishing Award:
print certificate
Type your personal information on certificate prior to printing.
Bowfishing State Record: Download the application.
Bowfishing Grand Slam Award: Download the application.
Master Bowfishing Award: Download the application.
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Hook-and-Line Awards
General information about these awards
Think you caught a state record fish?
Junior Angler Fishing Award:
print certificate
Type your personal info on certificate prior to printing.
Catch-and-Release Fishing Award:
print certificate
Type your personal info on certificate prior to printing.
Big Fish Award: print
certificate
Type your personal info on certificate prior to printing.
Master Angler Award:
download application
Grand Slam Fishing Award:
download application
State Record Fish Award:
download application
Mail-in applications are availbable to download for the Master Angler, Grand Slam and/or State Record Awards.
Applications should be mailed to:
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Divisions of Fisheries
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 67202-1271
