DuPage stocks three lakes with rainbow trout

Note to DuPage County anglers: It’s almost time to start preparing your fall fish stories.

The DuPage County Forest Preserve District is releasing roughly 4,400 rainbow trout today and Tuesday at three lakes in preparation for the Oct. 15 opening of trout season.

“It’s a very, very popular program,” says Don LaBrose, the district’s fisheries biologist. “I get calls as early as July 4 asking about the opening of trout season.”

Crews released roughly 2,400 fish today at Silver Lake in Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville.

They’ll be back Tuesday morning to release 1,600 rainbow trout at Pickerel Lake in Pratt’s Wayne Forest Preserve near Wayne and 400 fish in Grove Lake at Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve near Wood Dale.

All three lakes are closed to anglers until the trout fishing season opens at 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. The two-week period gives the fish a chance to get acclimated to their surroundings.

LaBrose said the trout average between 1 and 1½ pounds, but some exceed 2 pounds. There are even some golden rainbow trout that have a distinct gold coloring.

The district spent about $21,000 to have Keystone Hatcheries from Richmond stock the ponds.

If you want to drop your line in the water, you’ll need a valid Illinois fishing license and an Inland Trout stamp that can be obtained online from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or at area bait shops and sporting goods stores.