Section 885.20  Seasons, Limits and Methods of Take for Bullfrogs, Snapping Turtles and Other Native Herptiles

a)         A sport fishing license is required for residents, unless exempt from a sport fishing license under Section 20-5 and 20-15 of the Code to legally collect or take any native herptile taxon.

b)         Bullfrogs and common snapping turtles may be taken only June 15 through October 15.  There is no closed season on all other non-listed native herptiles.

c)         The daily harvest limit for bullfrogs is eight, with a possession limit of 16.  The daily harvest limit for common snapping turtles is two, with a possession limit of four.

d)         Unless otherwise permitted under 510 ILCS 68/5-5, for non-listed native herptile taxa (excluding common snapping turtles and bullfrogs), the possession limit is eight collectively, with no more than four per species.  This includes live specimens or any parts thereof.

e)         Unless otherwise permitted under Section 885.60, bullfrogs may be taken by hand, gig, pitchfork, spear, landing net, bowfishing, and hook and line during bullfrog season.  Bowfishing for bullfrogs is prohibited at 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only sites noted in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 810.45, except during the dates where take of fish by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices are allowed at that site subject to any location specific uses of such devices.

f)         Unless otherwise permitted under Section 885.60, turtles other than common snapping turtles may be taken only by hand.  Common snapping turtles may be taken only by hand, hook and line or bow and arrow.  Bowfishing for bullfrogs is prohibited at 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only sites noted in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 810.45, except during the dates where take of fish by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices are allowed at that site subject to any location specific uses of such devices.  Common snapping turtles may not be taken by bow and arrow in the following counties:  Randolph, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Saline, Williamson, Jackson, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Massac, Pulaski and Alexander.

g)         Nonresidents

Nonresidents may not possess or collect herptiles collected from the wild within this State, except for scientific purposes to those individuals that have been issued a Herptile Scientific Collection permit.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)