Illinois Administrative Code
Title 17 - CONSERVATION
Part 880 - THE TAKING OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS UNDER A SPORT FISHING LICENSE
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 (see 515 ILCS 5/20-5) .

b) Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentia) may be taken only by hand, hook and line or bow and arrow (except in the counties listed in Section 880.60(b) where bowfishing for common snapping turtles is not allowed). The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is protected and may not be taken by any method, including, but not limited to, any sport fishing method.

c) Bullfrogs and common snapping turtles may be taken only June 15 through October 15. Bullfrogs may be taken only by hook and line, gig, pitchfork, spear, bow and arrow, hand or landing net.

d) No person shall take common snapping turtles or 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 hand. This shall not restrict the use of legally taken reptiles or amphibians as bait by anglers.

g) Any captured reptiles or amphibians that are not to be retained in the possession of the captor shall be immediately released at the site of capture, unless taken with a lethal method (such as bow and arrow, gig, spear or pitchfork) that does not permit "release with no harm". All common snapping turtles and bullfrogs taken by this method must be kept and counted in the daily catch creel or bag. No culling of these taken species is permitted.