Plenty of trout for the catching

Cold weather in April may be unpleasant for humans, but for trout, it's a distinct advantage.

The trout fishing season, which opened April 5, features local bodies of water stocked with more than 60,000 trout by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, along with local forest preserve and conservation districts.

Although some anglers rush to the sites on the day they open in order to secure a catch, this year there's no need to hurry, according to the McHenry County Conservation District.

More Coverage Video Plenty of trout

"Trout are cold water fish, and the cold temperatures we've had have been a benefit to them," said Ann Basten, an executive assistant at MCCD. "People are still catching them."

Warm weather, however, will get the fish moving and may make them more difficult to find.

"At Piscasaw (Creek), the trout migrate upstream as the temperature of the water increases," Basten said.

The following Chicago area sites have been stocked with trout. For a list of all sites in Illinois, see www.ifishillinois.org.

Cook County: Axehead Lake, Park Ridge; Belleau Lake, Des Plaines; Sag Quarry East, Lemont

DuPage County: Silver Lake, Warrenville

Lake County: Banana Lake, Wauconda; Sand Lake at Illinois Beach State Park, Zion

McHenry County: Lake Atwood, Hollows Conservation Area, Cary; Piscasaw Creek, Chemung

--Susan Klovstad

Fish facts

bull; To legally participate in the trout fishing program, anglers must have a valid Illinois fishing license ($10-$19.25) and an inland trout stamp.

bull; Inland trout stamps are available for $6.50 each at DNR Direct license and permit vendors, IDNR offices, and may be purchased with a credit card through the IDNR Web site at www.dnr.state.il.us or by phone at (888) 6-PERMIT (888) 673-7648.

bull; The annual fishing licenses for the 2008 season are valid through March 31, 2009. Anglers may also purchase a 24-hour Illinois fishing license, which includes trout fishing privileges for the 24-hour period the license is valid.

bull; A license is required for fishing in Illinois unless the angler is younger than 16, blind or disabled, or is an Illinois resident on active military service who is home on leave.

bull; During the spring trout season, the daily possession limit for trout is five fish.

Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources