Trout Season at Siloam Springs State Park Lake Begins Saturday

There is nothing more enjoyable than to go trout fishing. Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Marc Miller announced the 2014 Spring Trout Fishing season in Illinois will begin at 5 a.m. this Saturday, April 5.

The IDNR stocks more than 60,000 rainbow trout each spring in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted during the spring season. To legally participate in the trout fishing program, anglers must have a valid Illinois fishing license and an inland trout stamp.

The annual fishing licenses for the 2014 season are valid through March 31, 2015.  A license is required for fishing in Illinois unless the angler is otherwise exempt (under age 16, blind or disabled, or is an Illinois resident on active military service who is home on leave). The Illinois catchable trout program is made possible through the sale of those inland trout stamps.

Fishing licenses and trout stamps can also be purchased by using a credit card through DNR Direct online via the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov, or by calling DNR Direct toll-free at 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648).

Anglers may not take prior to the opening of the season on April 5 at 5 a.m.  Anyone attempting to take trout before the legal opening will be issued citations.  During the spring trout season the daily possession limit for trout is five fish.

The closest trout stocked location nearest to the Quincy area is Siloam Springs State Park Lake. It has been several years since I have gone trout fishing at Siloam Springs.  It is so relaxing and beautiful out there. It just might be time for me to bait a hook again.