It’s time for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to make an adjustment for climate change and move the opening dates for fall trout season to later in the year.
Again this fall, there is a delay in stocking because of the heat.
Illinois’ fall trout season will open as scheduled on Oct. 18. But the heat this fall has caused the IDNR to delay stocking this fall.
Here’s the key wording from the IDNR:
Trout stocked in waters warmer than 68 degrees could experience high mortality. IDNR will stock the early catch-and-release sites as soon as water temperatures cool. Sites are expected to be stocked by Oct. 31. The public will be provided stocking updates on IDNR’s ifishillinois.org website and social media channels for IDNR.
While the official opening date for the fall trout season remains Saturday, Oct. 18, anglers should be aware that trout will not be present at many sites on opening day. The stocking delay also will affect the early-season catch-and-release opportunities at sites statewide.
Early catch-and-release trout opened at select sites on Saturday, Oct. 4.