§ 15-5 — Commercial fisherman; license requirement

(a) A "commercial fisherman" is defined as any individual who uses any of the commercial fishing devices as defined by this Code for the taking of any aquatic life, except mussels, protected by the terms of this Code. (b) All commercial fishermen shall have a commercial fishing license. In addition to a commercial fishing license, a commercial fisherman shall also obtain a sport fishing license. All individuals assisting a licensed commercial fisherman in taking aquatic life, except mussels, from any waters of the State must have a commercial fishing license unless these individuals are under the direct supervision of and aboard the same watercraft as the licensed commercial fisherman. An individual assisting a licensed commercial fisherman must first obtain a sport fishing license. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, blind residents or residents with a disability may fish with commercial fishing devices without holding a sports fishing license. For the purpose of this Section, an individual is blind or has a disability if that individual has a Class 2 disability as defined in Section 4A of the Illinois Identification Card Act. For the purposes of this Section, an Illinois person with a Disability Identification Card issued under the Illinois Identification Card Act indicating that the individual named on the card has a Class 2 disability shall be adequate documentation of a disability. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a veteran who, as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, is at least 10% disabled with service-related disabilities or in receipt of total disability pensions may fish with commercial fishing devices without holding a sports fishing license during those periods of the year that it is lawful to fish with commercial fishing devices, if the respective disabilities do not prevent the veteran from fishing in a manner that is safe to him or herself and others. (e) A "Lake Michigan commercial fisherman" is defined as an individual who resides in this State or an Illinois corporation who uses any of the commercial fishing devices as defined by this Code for the taking of aquatic life, except mussels, protected by the terms of this Code. (f) For purposes of this Section, an act or omission that constitutes a violation committed by an officer, employee, or agent of a corporation shall be deemed the act or omission of the corporation.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 104-234, eff. 8-15-25; 104-435, eff. 11-21-25.)