Four Lakes, Winnebago County (all postings)

what people are failing to realize is. if you look hard enough around northern illinois there are plenty of streams that hold nice trout. i know a half dozen that come out of wisconsin that go into illinois that are full of big browns and rainbows. raccoon creek has some monster brooks in it. its a class 5 catch and release stream in wisconsin. but its not here. they have the browns they are stocking in kent creek again that are catch and release only. i trout fish wisconsin religiously but i never pass up a chance to catch some illinois trout. stocking in four lakes in my honest opinion wasnt that well thought through when they started it. im wondering how many of the trout get eaten by pike,bass and catfish. but nonetheless i have caught my fair share out of there.

Well i stand corrected. I assumed that when you said you would have been skunked meant that you only got (kept) one because you snagged it. I think amaranthlost said it perfectly. Besides good luck going to a trout farm and getting the amount of fish you can catch here for only $6.50. So head over to the big lake and try your luck at catching some trout since you cant catch fish here.

J_Shamper....I believe I said that "I accidentally" snagged one while retrieving my in-line spinner, so ease up on the regulation talks. I'm well aware of the fishing laws in this state and have NEVER broken one! As for this trout stocking program, I still do not believe it is up to par (but thats just my opinion). Definitely not wasting the money for trout stamps next year, and years to come!

Caught 2 yesterday in 3 hrs, split shot hook and half a crawler..

I would in no way consider the stocking of catchable trout at Four Lakes an even remote attempt at a "responsible stocking program". There is no chance of ever introducing a sustainable trout fishery here as the environment just won't allow it. WI has established a responsible trout stocking program in the driftless area, this event is essentially the equivalent of turning Four Lakes into a fee fishing pond for trout for a couple weeks out of the year and simply serves the purpose of providing people with an opportunity to catch a fish they might never otherwise be able to.

Well panny I caught 4 earlier within 3 hours. Not to mention the northern and smally that hit my rooster tail. Try some other colors and techniques before giving up. And technically snagging is illegal so.....

Absolutely the worst attempt yet by Illinois DNR at a responsible stocking program. Fished all day with maybe 1 bite! Would have been skunked if I hadn't accidentally snagged a rainbow with an in-line spinner. Maybe the DNR can explain where the money for these trout stamps is going, because it's definitely not improving the fisheries in Northern Illinois!

There was a huge turn out. Lot was full and cars parked up and down both sides of the road. Shoulder to shoulder with people delibertaly casting over you lines. Better off going during the week.

yea ive been there the last couple years and it was a joke, you could get your 5 fish but you had to deal with lines getting crossed and all the fun that comes with that so i held off this year it. sounds like there wasnt much of a turn out i wonder if they still stocked the same amount of fish

I drove past and it was the least amount of people i have seen yet. Parking lot was full but the last 2 yrs ppl were parked down both sides of the street plenty of fishing room

how was the dump this year did they put allot in? are the shorelines shoulder to shoulder?

The first lake to left froze the rest open as of today tomorrow should all open with wind

I was told today that the first lake on the right as you walk in is open but the other three still have some ice but are fishable.

Is there any ice on the lake yet?

The sign you seen is probably from last year since it started the 7th.