Illinois Trapping
License 2026
Complete guide to trapping licenses in Illinois — resident and nonresident fees, trap check hours, regulated species, pelt reporting requirements, and bobcat or otter permit rules. Illinois requires a state hunting/trapping license for all regulated furbearers. The Illinois River valley and Mississippi River bottomlands provide excellent beaver, mink, muskrat, and raccoon trapping. Illinois has good furbearer populations for a heavily agricultural state.
Illinois Trapping License Requirements
Illinois requires a valid trapping license to trap furbearing animals. Review all requirements before setting traps.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Resident Fee | $6.75 |
| Nonresident Fee | $100.00 |
| Separate From Hunting License | No — bundled or not required |
| Trapper Education Required | Not required |
| Trap Check Requirement | Every 24 hours |
| Trap Tagging Required | Not required |
| Pelt Reporting Required | Not required |
| Bobcat Permit Required | Not required |
| Otter Permit Required | Not required |
| Trap Type Restrictions | Foothold traps with laminated jaws required in most upland situations. Body-gripping traps allowed in water sets. Specific restrictions near occupied buildings and public areas. |
Trappable Species in Illinois
The following furbearing species may be legally trapped in Illinois with the appropriate license and during open seasons. Some species may require additional permits.