The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced yesterday that 2025 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 5th across the state.
The Illinois Catchable Trout Program receives funding support by those who use the program through the sale of inland trout stamps. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources 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 season, which begins in October.
Jacksonville Parks Department Supervisor Adam Fletcher says that the trout will be stocked at Morgan Lake in Nichols Parks on Monday morning, with catch and release fishing allowed starting on March 22nd. Fishermen will not be allowed to keep trout until the season’s opening at 5AM on April 5th.
Fletcher says that the trout fishing season will look similar to what has occurred in Jacksonville in year’s past.
All anglers, including those who intend to release fish caught before April 5, must have a fishing license and an inland trout stamp unless they are younger than 16, blind or disabled, or are an Illinois resident on leave from active duty in the Armed Forces.
Fishing licenses and trout stamps can be purchased by using a credit card online.
Other opportunities in West Central Illinois for trout angling include Gridley Lake at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass County, King Park Pond in Pike County, and three locations in Springfield.
Visit ifishillinois.org for more information on trout seasons and other Illinois fishing opportunities.