SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — The 2025 Illinois spring trout catch-and-release fishing season will open at select sites on Saturday, March 22. The regular season will then begin in April at 58 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state.
During the catch-and-release period, no trout should be kept. Anyone who attempts to harvest trout before the legal harvest opening will be issued a citation.
The 2025 regular trout season will then open at 5 a.m. April 5. However, Illinois DNR said not all sites are open for trout catch-and-release season and not all sites will be open at 5 a.m. opening day. Anglers looking for more information should contact individual sites that will be stocked with catchable-sized trout.
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, they stock 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 season, which begins in October.
For the 2025 season, the Illinois DNR said trout will be stocked at the Turkey Run Shelter Pond at Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Wayne County because the trout pond continues to undergo rehabilitation.
Visit ifishillinois.org for more information on trout seasons and other Illinois fishing opportunities.
