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Natalie Phelps Finnie, Director | JB Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov
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iFISHILLINOIS

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Division of Fisheries

Your official source for Illinois fishing information

News

Illinois Spring Trout Season is Open!

The 2026 Illinois spring trout fishing season opened Saturday, April 4 at 59 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state.

The Illinois Catchable Trout Program receives funding support by those who use the program through the sale of inland trout stamps. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources stocks 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 trout season, which begins in October.

New for 2026:

•    In McHenry County, spring trout stocking will be returned to Lake Atwood.
•    In Macon County, spring trout will be stocked in Cattail Pond, Rock Springs Conservation Area.
•    In Wayne County, spring trout will be stocked at Turkey Run Shelter Pond at Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area as the trout pond continues to undergo rehabilitation. Signs directing anglers to the temporary site will be posted.
•    In Adams County, trout will be stocked in the Moorman Park pond for the spring and fall seasons.

    The daily harvest limit for each angler is five trout. You can find the list of sites here. Have fun fishing for trout this spring!

     

    Fishing Licenses for the 2026 Season on Sale Now!

    Fishing licenses for the 2026 season went on sale March 1st. These license expire on March 31, 2027.

    Illinois fishing licenses and stamps for 2026 are available for purchase online and at department-authorized vendors. A standard, non-discounted resident fishing license costs $15. Anglers 16 and older must have a valid fishing license in Illinois. Exemptions apply to active-duty military personnel and people with disabilities.

    2026 Illinois Fishing Regulations Available for Download

    Regulations Guide Goes Into Effect April 1, 2026

    The 2026 Fishing Regulations Digest is available for download now. This digest goes into effect beginning April 1, 2026. 
    Notable changes for 2026 include:
    • New regulations for Bourbonnais Park District Ponds (new public access in Kankakee County)
    • Regulation change for Coffeen Lake crappie
    • New regulation for Illinois River Paddlefish
    • Largemouth Bass regulation changes for Jim Edgar/Panther Creek SFWA lakes and ponds 
    • Crappie regulation change for Kinkaid Lake
    • New regulations for LaSalle Rotary Park Lake (new public access in Lasalle County)
    • New regulations for Lions Lake (new public access in Livingston County)
    • Regulation change for Mississippi River (between IL and MO) Walleye/Sauger
    • Minimum length limit for Largemouth Bass at Silver Springs State Park was removed
    • New regulations for Towne Center Pond (new public access in Will County)

    The 2026 Fishing Regulations Digest will be available in print soon and can be downloaded here. The Spanish version will be available soon.