Illinois announces opening dates for fall trout season statewide

State Representative Ryan Spain (il) | Representative Ryan Spain (R) 73rd District Deputy Republican Leader

By Peoria Standard

Sep 30, 2024

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced that the 2024 Illinois fall trout season will commence on Saturday, October 19. This year, anglers can fish at 60 ponds, lakes, and streams across the state.

An early catch-and-release season is set to begin on October 5. During this period, no trout may be taken from any stocked sites until the regular fall season starts at 5 a.m. on October 19. The daily catch limit is five trout.

All participants in both the early catch-and-release and regular seasons must have an Illinois fishing license and inland trout stamp. These are available at IDNR license and permit locations such as bait shops, sporting goods stores, and other retail outlets. Licenses and stamps can also be purchased online with a credit card.

Anglers should contact individual sites for information about specific regulations since not all locations open at 5 a.m. on opening day. Checking the opening time of preferred fishing spots before the season begins is advised.

The fall trout season provides families with opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities together. Online resources are available to help introduce kids to fishing.

IDNR reinstated its catchable trout program in 1994, funded partly by sales of inland trout stamps. Each year, over 80,000 rainbow trout are stocked in bodies of water where trout fishing is allowed during the fall season. Another 80,000 trout are stocked for the spring season starting each April. More information on trout seasons and other fishing opportunities in Illinois can be found at https://www.ifishillinois.org.

The following locations will be open for the 2024 fall trout season:

Northern Illinois

- Bureau County: Hennepin Canal Parkway

- Cook County: Axehead Lake (Cook County Forest Preserve District), Belleau Lake (Cook County Forest Preserve District), Busse Woods North Lake (Cook County Forest Preserve District), Green Lake in Calumet City (Cook County Forest Preserve District), Horsetail Lake (Cook County Forest Preserve District), Sag Quarry East (Cook County Forest Preserve District), Wolf Lake at William W. Powers State Recreation Area (Chicago)

- DuPage County: Grove Lake (DuPage County Forest Preserve District), Pickerel Lake (DuPage County Forest Preserve District), Silver Lake (DuPage County Forest Preserve District)

- Jo Daviess County: Apple River at Apple River Canyon State Park **

- Kankakee County: Bird Park Quarry (Kankakee), Rock Creek at Kankakee River State Park **

- Kendall/Kane Counties: Big Lake at Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area

- Lake County: Sand Lake at Illinois Beach State Park

- LaSalle County: Illinois and Michigan Canal Lock 14

- McHenry County: Spring Grove Hatchery Pond

- Ogle County: Pine Creek at White Pines Forest State Park **

- Rock Island/Carroll Counties: Prospect Park Lake

- Warren/Knox Counties: Citizens Lake

- Whiteside/Lee/Ogle Counties: Centennial Park Pond

- Will/Kendall Counties: Van Horn Woods Pond

Central Illinois