Spring trout season opens April 3

From press release

SPRINGFIELD—The 2010 spring trout fishing season in Illinois will begin at 5 a.m., Saturday, April 3, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Marc Miller announced March 16.

“Getting families and children outdoors to enjoy nature and recreation is a priority here in Illinois, and the spring trout season is a terrific way for us to encourage families to get outside and give fishing a try,” Miller said. “Getting youth outdoors to experience the fun of fishing is one of the many benefits of our catchable trout program. Anglers of all ages can join in the fun as we stock trout at 43 locations throughout the state.”

The IDNR stocks more than 60,000 rainbow trout each spring in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted during the spring season. The Illinois catchable trout program is made possible through the sale of inland trout stamps to those anglers who participate.

Inland trout stamps are available for $6.50 each at DNR Direct license and permit vendors, IDNR offices in Springfield, Chicago, Sterling, Bartlett, Clinton, Alton and Benton. They may also be purchased with a credit card through the IDNR Web site at http://dnr.state.il.us or by phone at 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648).

To legally participate in the trout fishing program, anglers must have a valid Illinois fishing license and an inland trout stamp. The annual fishing licenses for the 2010 season are valid through March 31, 2011. Anglers may also purchase a 24-hour Illinois fishing license, which includes trout fishing privileges for the 24-hour period the license is valid. A license is required for fishing in Illinois unless the angler is otherwise exempt (younger than 16, blind or disabled, or is an Illinois resident on active military service who is home on leave).

Anglers may not take trout from any of the stocked sites from March 15 to the opening of the season April 3 at 5 a.m. Anyone attempting to take trout before the legal opening will be issued citations. During the spring trout season, the daily possession limit for trout is five fish.

Anglers are reminded to check in advance for any site-specific regulations and the opening time of their favorite trout fishing location. While the statewide spring trout season opens at 5 a.m., April 3, some locations may have a later opening time.

Anglers are reminded to check in advance for any site-specific regulations and the opening time of their favorite trout fishing location. While the spring trout season opens at 5 a.m., April 3, some locations may have a later opening time.

Anglers are advised that the catchable trout program previously located at Kent Creek in Page Park, Rockford, has been moved to Four Lakes Forest Preserve, Winnebago County Forest Preserve, off Fish Hatchery Road.

For more information about the trout stocking program, contact the IDNR Division of Fisheries at (217) 782-6424 or check the Web site at www.ifishillinois.org.

Area stocked sites for the spring catchable trout program:

• Boone County: Mill Race Ponds in Belvidere.

• Jo Daviess County: Apple River and tributaries.

• McHenry County: Lake Atwood, Hollows Conservation Area, McHenry County Conservation District.

• McHenry County: Piscasaw Creek.

• Ogle County: Pine Creek in White Pines State Forest.

• Stephenson County: Waddams Creek (Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park).

• Stephenson County: Yellow Creek in Krape Park, Freeport.

• Whiteside County: Coleta Trout Ponds.

• Winnebago County: Four Lakes Forest Preserve, Winnebago County Forest Preserve District.