Illinois spring trout fishing season begins April 1

(KBSI) – The 2023 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 1, at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state.

An early opportunity at selected trout sites for the spring catch-and-release fishing season opened March 18. No trout may be kept during the catch-and-release fishing period, but anglers can keep trout after the opening of the regular season beginning April 1.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) stocks more than 80,000 rainbow trout each year in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted during the spring season. An additional 80,000 trout will be stocked for the fall trout fishing season. That season begins in October.

The Illinois Catchable Trout Program receives funding support through the sale of Inland Trout Stamps.

No trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites from March 13 until the season opens at 5 a.m. April 1. Anyone attempting to harvest trout before the legal harvest season opening will be issued citations, according to the IDNR.

All anglers, including those who intend to release fish caught before April 1, must have a fishing license and an Inland Trout Stamp unless they are under the age of 16, blind or disabled, or are an Illinois resident on leave from active duty in the Armed Forces. The daily harvest limit for each angler is five trout.

Visit ifishillinois.org for more information on trout seasons and other Illinois fishing opportunities.

Illinois 2023 fishing licenses and Inland Trout Stamps are available now at IDNR license and permit locations, including many bait shops, sporting goods stores, and other retail outlets. Tap here to view a list of locations.

Fishing licenses and trout stamps also can be purchased online at exploremoreil.com.

For information about all site regulations, anglers can contact individual sites that will be stocked with catchable-size trout. Not all sites open at 5 a.m. on opening day. Check the opening time of your favorite sites prior to the open date.

The locations that will be open for the 2023 spring trout season in southern Illinois include:

2023 Illinois Spring Trout Locations
**Denotes sites open for catch-and-release early spring season fishing

Jefferson County
Mount Vernon Game Farm Pond

Johnson County
Ferne Clyffe State Park Lake

Madison County
Belk Park Pond, Wood River

Marion County
Boston Pond, Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

Massac County
Fairgrounds Pond, Fort Massac State Park

Randolph County
Derby Lake, World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta

St. Clair County
Frank Holten State Park Main Lake
Jones Park Lake, East St. Louis
Willow Lake at Peabody River King State Fish and Wildlife Area**

Wabash County
Beall Woods Lake, Beall Woods State Park

Wayne County
Sam Dale Conservation Area Trout Pond