Welcome to I Fish Illinois—Illinois DNR Division of Fisheries

Spring Trout Season Opens April 6th!

The 2019 Illinois Spring Trout Fishing Season opens on Saturday, April 6 at 58 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state, with four new sites added for this spring. The IDNR stocks more than 80,000 rainbow trout each year in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted during the Spring season and an additional 80,000 trout for the Fall season. The Illinois catchable trout program is funded entirely by those who use the program through the sale of Inland Trout Stamps.

Reminder: No trout can be taken from any of the stocked sites from March 15 until the trout season opens at 5 a.m. on April 6.

Be sure to check the opening time of your favorite sites prior to the opening date. The 58 locations that will be open for spring trout season are listed here.

2019 Illinois Fishing Information Guide

The 2019 Illinois Fishing Information Guide is available for download now! The information in this guide goes into effect beginning April 1, 2019. A Spanish version will be available soon. You can find printed copies at your favorite sporting goods spot by April.

Download the guide today!

Lake Shelbyville Muskie Stocking

Check out this video of the early December muskie stocking at Lake Shelbyville. Once a destination for muskie anglers all over the country, the muskie population in Lake Shelbyville experienced a steep decline over 10 years ago. IDNR has been working to restock this population with limited success. This video shows a new procedure IDNR is using to try to increasethe survival rate of stocked muskie by stocking them later in the season into cooler water. Muskie were grown to a larger size in the Fin and Feathers Nursery Pond at the lake in hopes that these bigger-sized fish put into cooler water would have increased survival rate. 2,349 muskie were fin clipped and stocked into Lake Shelbyville from Wolf Creek State Park and Findlay Marina boat ramps.

Remember it's very important that if you catch a muskie, you fill out our muskie creel survey.

Illinois "Access to Fishing" Tackle Loaner Program

Did you know you can borrow fishing gear from select locations if you want to try your hand at fishing before you invest? The Illinois "Access to Fishing" fishing pole loaner program was started in 1997 and is available to any Illinois angler who is interested in going fishing! This equipment is available to be borrowed at no cost and is handled much like checking out and returning a library book. Fishing poles that were purchased by IDNR or donated to the IDNR have been placed in establishments throughout Illinois, such as in libraries, lake-side concession stands, bait stores, etc. Check out the locations here: https://www.ifishillinois.org/programs/loaner.html

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species

Remove, Drain, Dry: As the boats come out of storage, we'd like to remind you to be aware of invasive species that pose a threat to our lands and waterways. To fight the spread of aquatic invaders, the IDNR is asking residents to "be a hero transport zero." The best way to stop the spread of invasive species is to remove, drain, and dry your boats after use in any Illinois waterway. Learn more here.