Trout & Salmon

Rainbow Trout Fishing in Illinois

The most widely stocked game fish in the country, found in cold rivers, tailwaters, and mountain lakes. Rainbows feed heavily on insects and eat dries, nymphs, and small lures.

Waters: 1
State: Illinois
Water: Freshwater
Methods: Fly, Spin & Bait

Prime Months in Illinois: No Agency Season Found

What to Use for Rainbow Trout

Fishing In

Rainbow Trout

No agency season found

Fly

9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X 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 floatingCheck Price
LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price

Tie On in November

Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price

Spin / Cast

6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.

Rod, Reel and Line

Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reel, 2 pieceCheck Price
LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price
Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting Spoon · Acme Kastmaster SpoonSmall sizes for trout.Check Price
Bait for November · Whole or halfNightcrawlersWhere bait is legal.

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

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 Page

Sunglasses

Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses

Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.

Check Price

Some 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.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources