Sports
Illinois Fishing This Month: Trout Season Opens at 5 A.M. Oct. 17
Springfield, IL – Illinois anglers have two dates to know this month as the state's fall trout fishing season gets underway, with catch and release fishing already open at select locations and the reg
By Jordan Mercer · 2026-10-05T12:53:01.262Z
Springfield, IL – Illinois anglers have two dates to know this month as the state's fall trout fishing season gets underway, with catch and release fishing already open at select locations and the regular season beginning Saturday, Oct. 17.
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the 2026 fall trout season will open at 5 a.m. Oct. 17 at 60 ponds, lakes and streams across Illinois. Anglers will be allowed to begin keeping trout at that time, subject to state fishing regulations.
An early catch and release season opened Saturday, Oct. 3, at select locations. Trout caught during this early period cannot be kept, IDNR said. Anglers at participating sites must release their trout until the regular season begins.
The fall program gives anglers opportunities across Illinois, including locations within reach of the Chicago metropolitan area and communities throughout northern, central and southern Illinois.
IDNR said approximately 80,000 rainbow trout are stocked each year for the fall season. The agency stocks another 80,000 trout ahead of the spring season, which begins in April.
The Illinois Catchable Trout Program is supported through the sale of inland trout stamps. Anglers planning to participate should check state licensing requirements and confirm that their preferred fishing location is participating before heading out.
With the catch and release period underway Monday and the regular season less than two weeks away, anglers have time to prepare equipment, obtain required licenses and review site specific information.
A complete list of participating waters and additional regulations is available through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.