Fishing in Illinois in October

17 species in our database have season windows covering October in Illinois — including Bigmouth Buffalo, Blue Catfish, Brook Trout, Common Carp. Each links to a full profile with identification features and baits. Seasons shift by region and regulation; the Illinois state guide has licence sources.

Freshwater targets in Illinois, October

Species	Season
Bigmouth Buffalo	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Blue Catfish	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Brook Trout	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Common Carp	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Flathead Catfish	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Freshwater Drum	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Green Sturgeon	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Lake Trout	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Lake Whitefish	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Longnose Gar	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Rainbow Trout	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Rock Bass	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Sauger	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Shortnose Gar	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Smallmouth Bass	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Smallmouth Buffalo	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
White Bass	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov

National view: what's biting across all states in October.