Brown Trout

Similar to Rainbow Trout, finding Brown Trout near East St. Louis requires focusing on specific, stocked locations. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources occasionally stocks Brown Trout in select waters, but opportunities are less frequent than for rainbows. Closely monitor the IDNR stocking reports to identify any potential locations within a reasonable driving distance. Spring and fall stockings are the key times to target these fish. When fishing, focus on areas with deeper water and some current, as Browns tend to prefer these conditions. Streamers and crankbaits that imitate small baitfish can be effective. A local tip is to check with local bait shops for the most up-to-date information on stocking locations and recent catches. Remember, Brown Trout can be more challenging to catch than rainbows, so be patient and experiment with different presentations. The stocked Browns are usually in the 12-16 inch range.