Illinois spring trout season: Pandemic tweak to opening day for Forest Preserves of Cook County sites

The spring 2021 inland trout season for the Forest Preserves of Cook County will begin Wednesday, April 7, a modification of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources opening day to allow for COVID-19 public health guidelines at the popular Cook County sites. The Forest Preserves sites that will be open for fishing for rainbow trout are: Axehead Lake (Park Ridge), Belleau Lake (Park Ridge), Sag Quarry East (Lemont), Horsetail Lake (Palos Park) and Green Lake (Calumet City). These lakes will be closed to all fishing from Monday, March 29, until sunrise on Wednesday, April 7. We ask that anglers follow public health guidelines when enjoying trout season: Physical distance at least six feet from other visitors who do not live in your household. Wear a mask to protect yourself and others. Wash your hands before and after visiting. And please help us out by carrying out any trash from your time in the forest preserves. For a list of all lakes and waters open to public fishing within the Forest Preserves of Cook County, visit fpdcc.com/fishing and download the Fishing Guide. The guide includes maps that show location and depth of each lake, as well as main fish species.