Illinois fall trout season opens Oct. 17 at 60 ponds, lakes, and streams

Illinois’ 2026 fall trout season opens Saturday, Oct. 17, at 60 ponds, lakes, and streams. FoxIllinois / WICS reported the opener on Oct. 1, citing the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

A few sites open earlier for catch-and-release on Saturday, Oct. 3. Nothing may be kept during that window. Harvest starts at 5 a.m. on Oct. 17. The daily limit is five trout. Anglers need an Illinois fishing license and an inland trout stamp.

IDNR is stocking more than 80,000 rainbow trout for the fall, with another 80,000-plus planned for spring. Waters named in the announcement include Cook Forest Preserve lakes, Apple River Canyon, Kaufman Lake, and Siloam Springs. The department’s catchable-trout page has the full list.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: FoxIllinois / WICS — Illinois 2026 fall trout season opens Oct. 17 (Oct. 1, 2026). Supporting: IFish Illinois — Catchable trout.