Fish stocking schedule
Illinois fish stocking schedule 2026.
- Stocking Now
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Illinois stocks trout in selected inland streams and lakes for short spring and fall seasons, plus chinook and coho salmon in Lake Michigan. Urban catfish and panfish stocking is widespread in Chicago-area ponds.
Official source
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Stocking Report
Illinois Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative Illinois stocking schedule — Annual updates in Posted list format. For this week's actual stocking locations, dates, and volumes, view the official report directly.
This page summarizes the Illinois stocking program for planning purposes. The agency report is the authoritative source — verify before any trip.
Primary stocked species
In Illinois.
Typical stocking pattern by species. Heavy fill marks primary stocking months; moderate fill marks possible stocking. Verify exact dates against the official report.
- Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykissTypical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inches
- Chinook & Coho SalmonOncorhynchus tshawytscha / O. kisutchTypical size: 3–6 inch smolt
- Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatusTypical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerling
- MuskellungeEsox masquinongyTypical size: 8–12 inch fingerling
- WalleyeSander vitreusTypical size: 1–2 inch fry; 2–4 inch fingerling
Notable Illinois programs
- Inland Trout Program
- Lake Michigan Salmon
- Catfish in Urban Lakes
State hatchery system
Illinois operates 5 state-run fish hatcheries supporting the stocking program.
Illinois urban fishing program
Illinois maintains a designated urban fishing program — typically frequent stockings of catfish, trout, and panfish in city ponds and lakes. These programs are designed to make fishing accessible to families and first-time anglers.
Illinois urban fishing program details →Weekly stocking alerts for Illinois.
Bield Fish reads Illinois Department of Natural Resources's stocking reports and alerts you when your saved waters are stocked. Set your county once and you'll know the day fish hit your home river.
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