Horsetail Lake Stocked With 600 Pounds Of Rainbow Trout For Season

PALOS PARK, IL — Spring inland trout fishing season has officially opened in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. More than 5,000 pounds of rainbow trout were added collectively to forest preserve lakes, including Horsetail Lake in Palos Park.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources together with the forest preserves began releasing fish last month in the preserves trout fishing lakes. The lakes were closed for fishing to allow the trout to disperse throughout the lakes prior to the season opening on April 6.

Approximately 1000 points of rainbow trout were stocked by FPCC at Sag Quarry East in Lemont; and 1,500 pounds equally at Axehead Lake and Belleau Lake both in Park Ridge. These are catchable sized rainbow trout, in the 0.5-1 pound size range.

The IDNR similarly released 700 pounds of fish at Green Lake in Calumet City, and 600 pounds in Horsetail Lake in Palos Park.

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 aged 16 years 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, visit Forest Preserves of Cook County 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 FPCC Fisheries Section at 708-403-6951 for more info.