Section 880.20  Methods of Taking and Capture

a)         Only those persons who hold a valid sport fishing license or a valid Sportsmen's Combination License may take or attempt to take turtles and/or frogs [515 ILCS 5/20-5].

b)         Turtles may be taken only by hand, hook and line, or landing net.  For the purposes of this Part, a landing net is defined as a hand-held net with no greater than 1.5 inch bar measurement netting, an opening of not greater than 5 feet in diameter, and a handle.

c)         Bullfrogs may be taken only between June 15 and August 31, both dates inclusive. Bullfrogs may be taken only by hook and line, gig, pitchfork, spear, bow and arrow, hand, or landing net.

d)         No person shall take bullfrogs by commercial fishing devices, including dip nets, hoop nets, traps or seines, or by the use of firearms, airguns or gas guns.

e)         No person shall take or possess any species of reptile or amphibian listed as endangered or threatened in Illinois (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1010), except as provided by 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1070.

f)          All other species of reptiles and amphibians may be captured by any device or method which is not designed or intended to bring about the death or serious injury of the animals captured. This shall not restrict the use of legally taken reptiles or amphibians as bait by anglers.

g)         Any captured reptiles or amphibians which are not to be retained in the possession of the captor shall be immediately released at the site of capture.

(Source:  Amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 14852, effective August 3, 1998)