Prairie State Wire

The Illinois spring trout fishing season for 2025 is set to commence on April 5, with 58 designated locations across the state. Anglers will have an early opportunity at select sites starting March 22, during which they can engage in catch-and-release fishing. However, no trout may be kept until the regular season opens on April 5, when anglers will be allowed a daily harvest limit of five trout.

The Illinois Catchable Trout Program is funded through the sale of inland trout stamps. Each year, more than 80,000 rainbow trout are stocked by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in approved waters for the spring season. An additional batch of over 80,000 trout will be prepared for stocking during the fall season beginning in October.

For this year's spring stocking, there are notable changes: "In McHenry County, spring trout will be stocked into Rush Creek Pond in Harvard due to ongoing construction that will prohibit stocking at Lake Atwood in McHenry County." Additionally, "In Macon County, spring and fall trout will continue to be stocked in Cattail Pond at Rock Springs Nature Center for the foreseeable future and not at Sportsmans Club Pond." In Wayne County: "Spring trout will be stocked at Turkey Run Shelter Pond at Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area because the trout pond continues to undergo rehabilitation."

Fishing regulations stipulate that no fish may be taken from any stocked sites between March 15 and April 5 before legal harvesting begins. Violators attempting to harvest before this date risk receiving citations.

Anglers should contact individual sites directly for specific regulations as not all locations participate in catch-and-release or open precisely at 5 a.m. on opening day. All participants must possess a valid fishing license and an inland trout stamp unless exempted by age or disability status.

Further information about licenses and stamps can be found online where purchases can also be made using credit cards. For comprehensive details regarding site-specific regulations or other fishing opportunities within Illinois, individuals are encouraged to visit ifishillinois.org.