-
The annual Illinois Catchable Trout Season, opening Oct. 17, offers anglers an opportunity to catch fish normally not available in this state. Once again, this year’s program offers a special early opportunity for fly fishing enthusiasts.
less
The annual Illinois Catchable Trout Season, opening Oct. 17, offers anglers an opportunity to catch fish normally not available in this state. Once again, this year’s program offers a special early
… more
Photo: Curt Hicken / For The Telegraph
The annual Illinois Catchable Trout Season, opening Oct. 17, offers anglers an opportunity to catch fish normally not available in this state. Once again, this year’s program offers a special early opportunity for fly fishing enthusiasts.
less
The annual Illinois Catchable Trout Season, opening Oct. 17, offers anglers an opportunity to catch fish normally not available in this state. Once again, this year’s program offers a special early
… more
Photo: Curt Hicken / For The Telegraph
The return of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) annual catchable trout season is just another sure sign autumn has arrived. And, trout fishing enthusiasts return to their favorite fishing holes at 5 a.m., Oct. 17, in hopes of landing a few of these popular and hard-fighting fish.
IDNR personnel feel that fishing is a great family activity and the fall trout season is a great opportunity to take the kids fishing. In addition, the catchable trout program is very popular at all of the stocking locations.
This year, once again, the IDNR has added fly fishing to the equation. Certain sites will be stocked a bit earlier and flyfishing enthusiasts in certain locations are allowed to fish for the trout prior to the regular season opener on a “catch and release” basis.
According to an IDNR spokesman, this new opportunity is limited to anglers using only fly fishing gear. Other anglers will merely need to wait until the official season opener Wednesday (Oct. 7).
It is important to note that no trout may be kept during this period. Fly fishing anglers wishing to keep trout must also wait until the opening of the regular season beginning Oct. 17.
The fall trout fishing season is an enjoyable family tradition that is expanded again this year with fly fishing at selected locations. Catch-and-release fishing will help extend the season and provide more opportunity for more people this fall.
IDNR officials anticipate that the 2020 Illinois fall trout fishing season will feature rainbow trout fishing at ponds, streams and lakes throughout the state.
This year, an estimated 80,000 trout will be stocked at the various locations just prior to the opening of the fall trout season. A total of nine sites are designated as official “Fall Catch and Release Fly Fishing’ sites, and will likely be stocked a bit earlier than other locations.
The nearest “Fall Catch and Release Fly Fishing” sites include the Department of Transportation Lake in Springfield, Morgan Lake in Jacksonville, Willow Lake in St. Clair County and Gridley Lake at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA. The other participating sites are Siloam Springs State Park in Adams County, Navoo State Park in Hancock County, White Pines State Park in Ogle County, Rock Creek in Kankakee County and Apple River State Park in Jo Daviess County.
No trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites from Oct. 1 until the fall trout season opens at 5 a.m. on Oct. 17. Anyone attempting to take (harvest) trout before the legal harvest season opening will be issued citations.
All anglers – including those using fly-fishing gear who intend to release fish caught before Oct. 17 – must have a fishing license and an inland trout stamp. The only exceptions to this rule apply to those under the age of 16, blind or disabled or are Illinois’ residents on leave from active duty in the Armed Forces. The daily catch limit for each angler is five trout.
Not all of the fall trout sites listed below open at 5:00 a.m. on opening day. Anglers are reminded to check the opening time of their favorite trout fishing location prior to the season. For more information about all site regulations, anglers should contact individual sites that will be stocked with catchable-size trout.
Participants in Fall Trout Fishing Season are reminded to follow current public health directives, including maintaining social distancing guidelines, bringing with them masks in case social distancing cannot be maintained and hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol.
Local sites participating in the program include Beaver Dam State Lake in Macoupin County, Siloam Springs State Park in Adams County, the Highland Old City Lake in Madison County and the main lake at Frank Holten State Park in St. Clair County.
Anglers are advised that trout fishing is again available this fall at the Greenville Old City Lake (Patriot’s Park Lake) located in Bond County. Additional nearby sites include Jones Park Lake and Willow Lake at Peabody River State Fish and Wildlife Area in St. Clair Co., the Department of Transportation Lake, Southwind Park and Washington Park in Springfield.
The inland trout stamps sell for $6.50 and are available at all locations where fishing licenses are sold. For more information, contact your local IDNR office.
Illinois fishing licenses and inland trout stamps, selling for $6,50, are available at bait shops, sporting goods stores and other vendors or with a credit card on the Department of Natural Resources web site at dnr.state.il.us.
For more information about specific site regulations, anglers should contact individual sites that will be stocked with catchable-size trout.
Reach Curt Hicken at curthicken@aol.com
Credit: Source link
