Fall trout season opens October 19 in southeastern IL

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The 2024 Illinois fall trout season will open October 19 at 60 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state, and two of those locations are in southeastern Illinois.

Officials note the early catch-and-release season is scheduled to open October 5 this year. No trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites until the regular fall season opens at 5 a.m. on October 19. The daily catch limit is five trout.

Illinois government officials say all anglers, including those who participate in the early catch-and-release season, must have an Illinois fishing license and inland trout stamp, which are available at IDNR license and permit locations, including many bait shops, sporting goods stores and other retail outlets. Fishing licenses and trout stamps can be purchased online with a credit card.

According to ExploreMore IL, here are the locations people can go to get a fishing license and trout stamp:

• Village Clerk – Crossville, IL
• Walmart #833 – Carmi, IL
• Mt. Carmel Rural King Supply – Mt. Carmel, IL
• TNT Sporting Goods – Owensville, IN
• Allendale Marathon – Allendale, IL
• Edwards County Farm Bureau – Albion, IL
• Campbell Resources – Carmi, IL
• Wayne White Propane – Fairfield, IL
• Walmart #454 – Fairfield, IL

Addresses for the above locations can be found here .

Officials say for information about all site regulations, anglers should contact individual sites that will be stocked with catchable-size trout. Not all sites open at 5 a.m. on opening day. Anglers are reminded to check the opening time of their favorite sites prior to the open date.

The locations scheduled to be open for the 2024 fall trout season are:

• Wabash County
  • Beall Woods Lake, Beall Woods State Park
• Wayne County
  • Sam Dale Conservation Area Trout Pond

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