Trout season opens April 7
The Forest Preserves of Cook County announced the 2018 spring inland trout fishing season opens at 5 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Axehead Lake (Park Ridge), Belleau Lake (Park Ridge), Sag Quarry East (Lemont), Horsetail Lake (Palos Park) and Green Lake (Calumet City).
The Forest Preserves purchased and stocked approximately 500 pounds of rainbow trout for Sag Quarry East; 1,250 pounds for Axehead Lake; and 1,250 pounds for Belleau Lake, while the Illinois Department of Natural Resources purchased and stocked 700 pounds for Green Lake and 600 pounds for Horsetail Lake.
These are catchable sized rainbow trout in the one half-one pound size range.
Beginning at 5 a.m. April 7, there is a five trout per day creel limit with no size restrictions. No more than two lines per person with no more than two hooks per line may be used.
A valid Illinois sport fishing license with an Inland Trout Stamp is required for anglers ages 16 years and older.
An Illinois sport fishing license is not required for Illinois residents who are disabled and have a state of Illinois disabled I.D. card showing a Class 2 or 2A disability or a Veterans Disability Card, and Illinois residents who are on active military duty and are home on leave.
For a list of all of the lakes and waters open to public fishing within the Forest Preserves of Cook County, visit fpdcc.com/recreation/fishing and download the Fishing Guide. The guide includes maps that show the location and depths of each lake and list principal fish species.
The public can contact the Forest Preserves' Fisheries Section at (708) 403-6951 for information.