More than 4,000 pounds of fish will be added to trout fishing lakes

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is pleased to announce the 2023 spring inland trout fishing season, opening on Saturday, Apr. 1, at Axehead Lake in Park Ridge, Belleau Lake in Park Ridge, Sag Quarry-East in Lemont, Horsetail Lake in Palos Park and Green Lake in Calumet City.

The Forest Preserves is stocking approximately 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout at Sag Quarry-East; 1,250 pounds at Axehead Lake; and 1,250 pounds at Belleau Lake. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is stocking 700 pounds at Green Lake, and 600 pounds at Horsetail Lake. These are catchable sized rainbow trout, in the 0.5-1-pound size range.

As part of the IDNR’s stocking program, fishing for and possession of any trout is illegal from March 15 until 5 a.m. on April 1. In addition, the Forest Preserves’ trout lakes will be closed to all fishing from Monday, Mar. 27, until sunrise on Saturday, Apr. 1. The lake closings allow the trout to disperse throughout the lakes prior to opening.

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 lakes and waters open to public fishing within the Forest Preserves of Cook County, visit fpdcc.com/fishing/, and download the Fishing Guide. The guide includes maps that show location and depth of each lake, as well as main fish species.

The public can contact the Forest Preserves’ Fisheries Section at 708-403-6951 for further information.

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About the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Don’t you sometimes just want to escape? Explore the natural beauty of Cook County for an hour, a day or even a night. When you’re surrounded by 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful there’s no better place to feel free.