Cook County fall trout fishing season opens Oct. 20
The fall inland trout fishing season opens Saturday, Oct. 20, at six Forest Preserves of Cook County locations: Busse Reservoir-North Pool (Elk Grove Village), Axehead Lake (Park Ridge), Belleau Lake (Park Ridge), Horsetail Lake (Palos Park), Green Lake (Calumet City) and Sag Quarry East (Lemont).
The Forest Preserves will be purchasing and stocking approximately 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout for Horsetail Lake, while the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be providing and stocking 1,255 pounds for Axehead Lake; 1,000 pounds for Belleau Lake; 2,800 pounds for Busse Reservoir; 715 pounds for Green Lake; and 850 pounds for Sag Quarry East. These are catchable sized rainbow trout in the 1/2- to 1-pound size.
The Forest Preserves' trout lakes will be closed to all fishing from Monday, Oct. 15, until sunrise on Saturday, Oct. 20, allowing the trout to disperse throughout the lakes. As part of the state stocking program, fishing for and possession of any trout is illegal from Oct. 1 until 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20.
Once the season opens, 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 16 years of age 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 further information.