Illinois’ early catch-and-release trout fishing: An explanation

While it is not specified in the release, most early-stocked trout fishing sites are open to catch-and-release fishing, including fly fishing, for trout beginning March 23. IDNR Fisheries encourages early-season catch-and-release fishing for trout at these open sites, including fly fishing, as we try to provide more fishing opportunities for anglers, including fly fishing enthusiasts. The early-stocked sites are mainly IDNR sites (same as last spring): Apple River at Apple River Canyon State Park Rock Creek at Kankakee River SP Pine Creek at White Pines Forest SP Siloam Springs SP Gridley Lake at Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA Horton Lake at Nauvoo SP Morgan Lake at Nichols Park in Jacksonville IDOT Lake in Springfield Willow Lake at Peabody River King SFWA And as an additional reminder – catch-and-release means just that; no trout may be kept (harvested) until the opening of the Spring Trout Fishing Season on April 6.