Illinois fall trout season opens Oct. 19 statewide, catch-and-release season begins Oct. 5

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. | Photo courtesy IDNR

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The 2024 Illinois fall trout season will open October 19 at 60 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state. The early catch-and-release season is scheduled to open October 5. No trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites until the regular fall season opens at 5 a.m. October 19. The…

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Spotting watersnake changes plan, but cannot ruin joy of day spent outdoors

Watersnakes are common throughout Illinois and are non-venomous. | Photo courtesy Illinois Department of Natural Resources

TIMEWELL, Ill. — Elise Bethel jumped out of her dad’s truck and rushed toward the lake, bouncing past some wildflowers and chasing after a butterfly she’d never catch. Jack Bethel smiled. “It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment,” he said. While his daughter dashed after the yellow butterfly, Bethel and his 12-year-old son, Ethan,…

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