On Saturday April 4th the Illinois DNR will be having their opening day of put and take trout fishing. The DNR uses rainbow trout as their attraction for these events. Most of the trout fishermen that I know use cheese, corn, wax worms, and some kind of power bait. They all will work fine, sometimes just slowwwwly. Personally I have used a red and white, 1" spoon for several years now and have been very successful with them. Especially on the second day when the trout have seen everything that you can throw at them a thousand times. Even though standing shoulder to shoulder with the guy next to you can be rather irritating if you find an opening the spoons will get you out of there before most of them have caught their first fish. Try it and let me know if you have any luck! Just an idea. Good luck and good fishing!

Thanks for the tip!

Thanks for the ideas! I haven't trout fished in several years..maybe this year I can again...

We always used home made rubber worms. And roostertails. But that was back in MO.

Anyone know why Pit 3 only gets fall trout? I think it is stupid that we have to fish Holten or the other ESTL lake in St. Clair Co. Oh well, I will be going to holten.

Woodland Park lake in Collinsville also has some trout. I dont think they go by the same dates because I was out there at the end of January and a ranger stopped by asking us how we were doing and to use canned corn and bobbers set at about 2'. He didnt ask about the inland trout stamp, but we had them anyhow. He said they stocked about a thousand back in December.

I didnt believe my buddy about it because theres nothing on IDNRs site about it and I called the Collinsville Area Rec. District and they said they didnt know anything about it but we caught 2 (both keepers). I'm now a believer although I havent been back yet.

Rooster tails or inline spinners are the trick as soon as the sun comes up. Stick with powerbait in the morning before any daylight. The action is usually rather slow at the game farm pond near Mt. Vernon until daylight.

Woodland Park lake in Collinsville also has some trout. I dont think they go by the same dates because I was out there at the end of January and a ranger stopped by asking us how we were doing and to use canned corn and bobbers set at about 2'. He didnt ask about the inland trout stamp, but we had them anyhow. He said they stocked about a thousand back in December.

I didnt believe my buddy about it because theres nothing on IDNRs site about it and I called the Collinsville Area Rec. District and they said they didnt know anything about it but we caught 2 (both keepers). I'm now a believer although I havent been back yet.

Aren't all trout keepers?

This is all google found: date unknown:


The Collinsville Area Recreation District stocked the fishing lake at Woodland Park with nearly 180 rainbow trout between 12 and 16 inches long according to the Belleville News-Democrat.


The lake at Woodland Park is open year-round for fishing and offers loaner rods for anglers.

Aren't all trout keepers?

Can only keep 5, there is no size limit. Nearly all fish will die if not caught before summer hits, however there are a few deeper and larger lakes/ponds where they may survive longer.
The statewide season opens at 5am April 5th and is a good time to catch this tasty fish.

The statewide season opens at 5am April 5th and is a good time to catch this tasty fish.

Very tasty, they are my favorite.