Nets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageTrout & Salmon
Brown Trout Fishing in Illinois
Wary, long-lived trout of rivers and tailwaters. Browns feed most aggressively at low light and turn to streamers and big flies in fall before spawning.
- Waters
- 1
- State
- Illinois
- Water
- Freshwater
- Methods
- Fly, Spin & Bait
Prime Months in Illinois: No Agency Season Found
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What to Use for Brown Trout
Fishing In
Brown Trout
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 5wt or 6wt floatingCheck Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #4-8Sculpin StreamerLow light and fall.See Options
- Fly for November · #16-22Blue-Winged OliveSee Options
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
Spin / Cast
6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodUgly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod · 6 ft 6 in light, 4 to 10 lb, 2 pieceCheck Price
- ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · 2500Check Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 6 or 8 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Also Worth Packing
Sunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need an Illinois fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Where to Catch Brown Trout
1 of 1 waters
Shops to Stock Up
Brown Trout Fishing by State
Montana (10)Colorado (9)Michigan (8)Idaho (6)Wisconsin (5)New York (5)California (5)Georgia (3)Arkansas (3)Pennsylvania (3)Tennessee (3)Connecticut (3)Massachusetts (2)Vermont (2)Wyoming (2)New Jersey (2)North Carolina (2)Missouri (2)New Mexico (2)Utah (2)Arizona (1)New Hampshire (1)Oregon (1)North Dakota (1)Texas (1)Nevada (1)Kentucky (1)Indiana (1)Maine (1)South Dakota (1)Oklahoma (1)Rhode Island (1)Minnesota (1)Maryland (1)Illinois (1)South Carolina (1)Virginia (1)