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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois’ fall trout fishing season opens on Oct. 17 at more than 50 ponds, lakes, and streams across the state.
For those who can’t wait, the catch-and-release trout season opens Oct. 3 at select locations. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says no trout may be kept during catch-and-release period. Violators will face penalties.
The trout program is funded by its participants through the sale of Inland Trout Stamps and the Illinois Fish Management Fund.
All anglers, including those who want to start Oct. 3, must have a valid state fishing license and an Inland Trout Stamp unless they are younger than 16, disabled, or an Illinois resident on leave from active military duty. Fishing licenses and trout stamps may be purchased from the IDNR website.
The daily limit for each participant is five trout.
Not all fishing sites open at 5 a.m. on opening day, so anglers should check schedules at their chosen locations. They should observe public safety directives to avoid transmission of COVID-19, including proper physical distances, wearing masks when necessary and carrying hand sanitizer.