Photo credit
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing veterans at Rapidan Camp, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Photo: N. Lewis, National Park Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Illinois fishing licenses for veterans
What Illinois Department of Natural Resources says about free or reduced fishing licenses for veterans, disabled veterans, service members and their families.
What the agency says
Disabled veterans
Resident and non-resident veterans with a qualifying service-connected disability are exempt from the fishing licence.
All disabled veterans, resident or non-resident (10% service-connected) or any person with a Class 2O (previously a P2) or a Class 2A card is exempt from a fishing license.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, read October 20, 2026Active duty
Free fishing, hunting and camping for Illinois service members returning from service abroad or Guard/Reserve mobilization, for time served.
Military members are eligible for free sport fishing, hunting and camping for one year for each year served and for one year for each portion of a year served.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, read October 20, 2026Veterans
Half-price fishing and hunting licences for Illinois-resident veterans who served abroad or were mobilized Guard/Reserve.
Illinois resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have served abroad, or guard or reserve members who were mobilized by the President of the United States, are eligible to purchase licenses at one-half the fee charged for the following:
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, read October 20, 2026
Illinois Department of Natural Resources: licenses
Quoted from the agency's own page; rules, ratings and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you buy.
Fishing in Illinois
Veteran-owned and veteran-serving guides and shops in Illinois