Brown Trout

Let's be upfront: Decatur, Illinois, is not a prime destination for brown trout fishing. The relatively warm water temperatures and lack of suitable habitat in Lake Decatur and the surrounding rivers make it an unlikely spot to find this cold-water species. While it's theoretically possible that a stray brown trout could occasionally wander down from a stocked stream further north, it's highly improbable. If you're determined to target brown trout in Illinois, you'll need to head north towards the Driftless Area in the northwest corner of the state, where there are a few stocked streams and rivers that can support brown trout populations. Don't waste your time specifically targeting them in Decatur; focus on the more abundant species like bass, crappie, and catfish.