DuPage preserves preparing for rainbow trout fishing season

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are preparing to stock local lakes in anticipation of the fall rainbow trout fishing season.

The season opens at 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in DuPage forest preserves.

To create better fishing opportunities for this popular game fish, the district will stock Pickerel Lake at Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne with about 1,600 rainbow trout and Grove Lake at Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve in Wood Dale with about 400 fish.

Meanwhile, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will stock Silver Lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville with about 2,400 rainbow trout. The stocked rainbow trout will average 1 to 1.25 pounds and 14 to 15 inches.

The three lakes will be closed to all fishing from Monday, Oct. 1, through Friday, Oct. 19.

When fishing for trout, anglers 16 and older who are not legally disabled must have with them valid Illinois fishing licenses with inland trout stamps. The creel limit is five trout per day with no length restriction.

For a free copy of the Forest Preserve District’s “Fishing in DuPage County” guide with regulations, depth maps and species lists for 30 lakes at 18 different DuPage County forest preserves, call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 or email forest@dupageforest.org.

For information on conservation, education and recreation, call (630) 933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.