2023 Illinois Fall Trout Fishing Season
Illinois Fall Trout Season Opens October 21, 2023
The 2023 Illinois Fall Trout Fishing Season opens Saturday, October 21st at 59 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state.
On Saturday, October 21, 2023, anglers will line the shorelines of nearly 60 ponds, lakes and streams throughout Illinois, anxiously watching the clock. At the stroke of 5 a.m., lines will be cast into the water. It’s Illinois fall trout season!
All anglers, including those who participate in the early catch-and-release season, must have an Illinois fishing license and inland trout stamp, which are available at IDNR license and permit locations, including many bait shops, sporting goods stores, and other retail outlets. The daily catch limit is five trout.
Fall trout season is popular for many reasons. First, simply being outdoors on a crisp, autumn day appeals to many people. And to top it off, trout season offers the chance to reel in a good-fighting, colorful fish, and then close the day with a tasty, freshly harvested meal.
Rainbow trout released through the Illinois Catchable Trout Program are typically 10 to 11 inches in length. Occasionally, retired brood stock from the hatchery make their way into the stocking, and a few larger fish might be there to surprise you.
Whether you're an experienced angler or a beginner, fall trout fishing is an activity the whole family can enjoy. Bond with loved ones while making memories that will last a lifetime.
2023 Illinois Fall Trout Locations for Central and Southern Illinois
(* Denotes sites open for catch-and-release early fall season fishing)
Central Region
Adams County: Siloam Springs State Park Lake *
Cass County: Gridley Lake, Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA *
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
DeWitt County: Weldon Springs, Welcon 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: IDOT Lake, Springfield *
Sangamon County: Southwind Park, Springfield
Sangamon County: 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
South Region
Bond County: Patriot's Park Lake (Greenville Old City Lake)
Crawford County: Crawford County Conservation Area Pond
Jefferson County: Mount Vernon Game Farm Pond
Johnson County: Ferne Clyffe State Park Lake
Madison County: Belk Park Pond, Wood River
Madison County: No trout will be stocked during the fall 2023 at Highland Old City Lake in Madison County due to ongoing maintenance.
Marion County: Boston Pond, Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area
Massac County: Fairgrounds Pond, Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis
Randolph County: Derby Lake, World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta
Randolph County: Randolph County State Fish and Wildlife Area Lake
Saline County: Jones Lake Trout Pond, Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area
St. Clair County: Frank Holten State Park Main Lake
St. Clair County: Jones Park Lake, East St. Louis
St. Clair County: Willow Lake, 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