If you need some fishing supplies, the state has many dedicated shops, such as the following 10 top fishing tackle shops in Illinois.
1. Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters
Andy Kurkulis and Jon Uhlenhop, founders of Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters, began to serve customers in 2001. Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters is a fishing tackle store in Chicago, Illinois, and is well-known for providing unparalleled customer service for all patrons. The store also has 3600 square feet of space for all things fly fishing.
Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters sells Seigler SF Lever Drag Fly reels, Ross San Miquel reels, Scott Centric fly rods, Echo Swing switch rods, Redington Classic trout roods, and Premier Rio Grand fly lines. It also sells Patagonia River Salt wading boots, Daiichi Traditional Nymph hooks, and Lightning Strike Dry Fly hooks.
Use the email address on the Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters contact page to contact a representative.
2. Fishing Connection
1995 saw the opening of Fishing Connection in Tinley Park, Illinois, a fishing tackle store that sells quality products for novice and professional fishermen. Since its establishment, the store has received numerous awards and has been featured in various fishing magazines. With the help of owner Greg Katello, Fishing Connection aims to stock fishing supplies for all ages.
Fishing Connection sells fishing rods, reels, lures, rigs, custom-built rods, nightcrawlers, trout worms, wax worms, spawn sacs, spikes, chicken livers, shads, and whole Texas shrimps. It also offers professional line winding services, reel cleanings, lure parts upgrades, lure building, and rod repair services.
Fill in Fishing Connection’s contact page form to reach out to a team member.
3. B & B Live Bait
With over 40+ years of experience in trading fishing supplies and bait, B & B Live Bait is one of the highest-rated fishing tackle stores in Ottawa, Illinois, and its surrounding areas. Many of B & B Live Bait’s previous customers praise the store for its competitive pricing, excellent selection of products, and friendly employees.
B & B Live Bait sells many fishing supplies, such as hooks, bobbers, rods, minnows, reels, nets, filet knives, weights, and an assortment of live bait for different fish. Customers of B & B Live Bait can also purchase fishing licenses in-store, along with other key equipment for a successful fishing trip.
Visit the B & B Live Bait homepage to retrieve its contact details.
4. Big Red’s Bait and Tackle
For over ten years, Big Red’s Bait and Tackle has been serving residents of Springfield, Illinois, as a top-rated fishing tackle store. The store is family-owned and works diligently to provide outstanding hospitality for each customer. Trevor Miller, the owner of Big Red’s Bait and Tackle, is a fishing expert with a wealth of knowledge of the local fishing scene.
Big Red’s Bait and Tackle sells Ardent Apex baitcasting reels, Atlas Mikes Lunker scents, Bob’s Hand Crafted Stanky Catfish dip baits, Acme Kastmaster spoons, and Eagle Claw Gunnison spinning reels. It also sells Eagle Claw Gold Aberdeen hooks, Bubble Box aerators, Brush Pile fish attractants, and Carlson Bobber stops.
Contact Big Red’s Bait and Tackle using the contact details on its homepage.
5. South End Bait & Tackle
Ralph Madara, the owner of South End Bait & Tackle, has been in the fishing industry since 1990. South End Bait & Tackle is a fishing tackle store in Streator, Illinois, and offers frequent updates on local fishing conditions courtesy of Regnier’s Guide Service. It also has detailed information on identifying and handling certain fish.
South End Bait & Tackle sells red worms, minnows, water leeches, jumbo leeches, mud leeches, wax worms, regular nightcrawlers, nitro green nightcrawlers, chicken liver, frozen shads, shrimp, Rosey reds, and golden roaches. It also sells fishing rods, rattle traps, top spinning reels, bass lures, spinnerbaits, nets, lead sinkers, jigs, and bass spinners.
Send a message to a South End Bait & Tackle representative using the phone number on its location page.
6. DuPage Fly Fishing Co.
Whether it’s about great fishing spots, fly-tying methods, or fishing tactics, the staff members at DuPage Fly Fishing Co. have the expertise to answer any of your fishing-related questions. DuPage Fly Fishing Co. is in Naperville, Illinois, and has received numerous testimonials that speak for its insightful employees and durable products.
DuPage Fly Fishing Co. sells fishing reels, storage, and accessories by name brands like Patagonia, Costa, Fishpond, Simms, Sage, G. Loomis, Ross Reels USA, Scientific Anglers, Redington, Waterworks Lamson, and Hatch. It also features fly rods like the G. Loomis Asquith fly rod, fly-tying classes, and fly casting lessons.
Reach out to DuPage Fly Fishing Co. by calling the number on its contact page.
7. Nick Nack’s Bait & Tackle
As a family-owned fishing tackle store in Morris, Illinois, Nick Nack’s Bait & Tackle has been in business since 2020. Run by people who are passionate about fishing, it also has a Keep Kids Fishing Program to help provide free fishing gear to kids.
Nick Nack’s Bait & Tackle sells live and frozen bait such as small suckers, medium suckers, monster suckers, crappie minnows, fatheads, Rosie reds, shads, night crawlers, red wigglers, wax worms, mealworms, leeches, and catfish cadies. It also sells fishing supplies from brands like Good Scents Lures, Tales End Tackle, and OutDare.
Learn more about Nick Nack’s Bait & Tackle by calling the number on its contact page.
8. Fish Tech
Jimmy T is a co-owner and fishing guide of Fish Tech, a fishing tackle store serving novice and professional fishermen in Morton Grove, Illinois. Jimmy has over two decades of experience as a guide and is a licensed captain, helping to equip clients with the proper knowledge and techniques to catch fish.
Fish Tech sells small fatheads, large fatheads, XL fatheads, medium suckers, musky suckers, nightcrawlers, wax worms, red worms, leaf worms, dilly worms, and spikes (depending on the season). It also sells spawn sacs, a variety of regular and jumbo leeches, small smelts, jumbo smelts, and chicken livers.
Find out more about Fish Tech and its products by reaching out to a staff member by filling in its contact page form.
9. Lake Michigan Angler
Specializing in selling fishing supplies is Lake Michigan Angler, a fishing tackle store in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. Employees of Lake Michigan Angler are highly knowledgeable about the fishing conditions in Lake Michigan and can thus provide great advice for catching local fish. The shop also publishes fishing charters, guides, and tips for the best location to catch fish.
Lake Michigan Angler sells fishing rods, spinning reels, casting reels, regular lures, baits, attractants, fluorocarbon fishing lines, monofilament lines, copper lines, wire lines, and ice fishing jigs & lures. It also sells hooks, snaps, swivels, weights, bobbers, split rings, beads, and various forms of tackle storage like the P-Line utility box and Coho box.
Keen to learn about Lake Michigan Angler? Then fill in its contact page form to contact a team member.
10. Bluff City Outdoors
Mark McMurry is the owner of Bluff City Outdoors, a store in Alton, Illinois, that was originally Rodney’s Bait and Tackle shop. Mark bought the store in 2003 and has since expanded the store’s product range to stock multiple top-quality fishing tackles, some of which are key to helping you catch Alton’s monster catfish and other rare fish.
Bluff City Outdoors sells fishing rods, reels, hooks, sinkers, molds, floats, bobbers, crappie lures, swivels, leaders, lines, bass lures, fishing shirts, and waders. It also sells frozen and live baits, including red wigglers, nightcrawlers, Asian carp sides, red worms, crickets, goldfish, and waxworms.
Call the number on the Bluff City Outdoors contact page to reach out to a representative.
