Illinois fall trout season opens at select locations in October

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Yes, this is for “reel.” Illinois’ trout fishing season is opening soon.

On Wednesday, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced that early fall catch-and-release trout fishing will open at select sites on Oct. 4. In Central Illinois, this includes:

• Adams County
  • Siloam Springs State Park Lake
• Cass County
  • Gridley Lake, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
• Hancock County
  • Horton Lake, Nauvoo State Park
• Morgan County
  • Morgan Lake at Nichols Park, Jacksonville
• Sangamon County
  • Illinois Department of Transportation Lake, Springfield

Fishers will not be allowed to take trout from any of the stocked sites until the season officially opens on Oct. 18. The daily catch limit is five trout.

To fish, IDNR said you’ll need an Illinois fishing license and inland trout stamp. You can find out more about how to purchase those documents here. To purchase a license and permit in person, click here to find a store near you.

Illinois’ Catchable Trout Program is funded by the sale of trout stamps. This helps the IDNR stock bodies of water around the state with more than 80,000 rainbow trout in total each year. An additional 80,000 will be stocked for the spring season.

If you’re interested in learning more about specific site regulations, IDNR suggested contacting individual sites. Anglers should check site opening times ahead of time.

60 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state are scheduled to open for the season on Oct. 18. In Central Illinois, this includes:

• Adams County
  • Siloam Springs State Park Lake
• Cass County
  • Gridley Lake, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
• Champaign County
  • Kaufman Lake, Champaign Park District
• Christian County
  • Manners Park Pond, Taylorville Park District
• Clark County
  • Casey Park Pond, Casey
• Coles County
  • Eastern Illinois University Campus Pond, Charleston
• De Witt County
  • Weldon Springs, Weldon Springs State Park
• Douglas County
  • Villa Grove West Lake
• Hancock County
  • Horton Lake, Nauvoo State Park
• Macon County
  • Rock Springs Pond, Macon County Conservation District
• Macoupin County
  • Beaver Dam Lake, Beaver Dam Lake State Park
• McDonough County
  • Argyle Lake, Argyle Lake State Park
• Morgan County
  • Morgan Lake at Nichols Park, Jacksonville
• Sangamon County
  • Illinois Department of Transportation Lake, Springfield
  • Southwind Park, Springfield
  • Washington Park Pond, Springfield
• Shelby County
  • Forest Park Lagoon, Shelbyville
• Tazewell County
  • Mineral Springs Park Lagoon, Pekin
• Vermilion County
  • Clear Lake, Kickapoo State Recreation Area

The IDNR also offers information about how to take kids fishing online. And, you can learn more about trout season and other Illinois fishing opportunities here.