DuPage ready to make splash for spring trout season

DuPage anglers might want to consider warming up their casting arms in preparation for the opening of the spring rainbow trout season at 6 a.m. April 7 at three county forest preserve district locations.

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 800 fish. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will stock Silver Lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville with about 2,800 rainbow trout.

The trout will average just over a pound and about 14 inches in length.

To allow the trout to acclimate, the three lakes will be closed to all fishing from today through Friday, April 6.

When fishing for trout, anglers 16 and older who are not legally disabled or Illinois residents on leave from active duty in the armed forces must have in their possession valid Illinois fishing licenses with inland trout stamps. The creel limit is five trout a day with no length restriction.

This year, the district is offering children ages 15 and younger special early access to one of DuPage County’s stocked lakes. “Trout Fishing for Kids” is free and takes place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 31, at Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve in Wood Dale.

During the event, young anglers will have the 9-acre Grove Lake opened just for them. Adults are invited to help their children but may not fish on their own. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to offer free bait and loaner poles. Registration is not required. For details on “Trout Fishing for Kids,” call Don LaBrose at (630) 933-7668.

For a free copy of the forest preserve district’s “Fishing in DuPage County” guide with regulations, depth maps and species lists for 31 lakes at 18 different DuPage forest preserves call visitor services at (630) 933-7248 or email forest@dupageforest.org.