Illinois 2026 fall trout season opens Oct. 17 at 60 sites statewide

The 2026 Illinois fall trout fishing season will open Saturday, Oct. 17 at 60 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state.

An early catch-and-release trout fishing will open at select sites on Saturday, Oct. 3. No trout may be kept during the catch-and-release period. Anglers may begin keeping trout when the regular season opens at 5 a.m. Oct. 17.

The Illinois Catchable Trout Program is funded through the sale of inland trout stamps. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) stocks more than 80,000 rainbow trout each year at waters where trout fishing is permitted during the fall season. An additional 80,000 trout are stocked for the spring season, which begins in April.

For the 2026 fall trout season, no trout may be taken from any stocked site before the season opens. During the season, the daily catch limit is five trout.

All anglers must have a valid Illinois fishing license and inland trout stamp. Check the IDNR agent locator website for locations. Fishing licenses and trout stamps are also available online. 

Anglers should contact individual trout-stocked sites for information about site-specific regulations and opening times. Not all sites open at 5 a.m. on opening day. Anglers are encouraged to check the opening time for their preferred fishing location before Oct. 17.

The fall trout season offers opportunities for families to get outdoors and enjoy fishing. Resources are available for taking kids fishing online. For more information on trout seasons and other Illinois fishing opportunities, visit www.ifishillinois.org.

2026 Illinois fall trout locations

Clark County

Casey Park Pond, Casey

Coles County

Eastern Illinois University Campus Pond, Charleston

Vermilion County

Clear Lake, Kickapoo State Recreation Area

Crawford County

Crawford County Conservation Area Pond

Saline County

Jones Lake Trout Pond, Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area

Wabash County

Beall Woods Lake, Beall Woods State Park