All the states in this region stock “put and take” rainbow trout into various waterbodies in Fall and Spring.
For example:
https://www.ifishillinois.org/programs/fall_trout_stocking.html
(Lakes & ponds near me have been delayed until at least Oct. 25, due to the warm fall weather.)
https://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Pages/Planned-Monthly-Trout-Stocking-Schedule.aspx
KY’s been having problems at the hatcheries the last few years, resulting in the trout running small, so, this year I only got a trout stamp for IL. Multiple trout ponds and small lakes are within 30 to 90 minutes from me, just in Southern IL. The drives get nice too, once the leaves turn. (Not quite so much this year, because of the drought.)
IL sometimes stocks a few “breeders”, so it’s occasionally possible to land a 2-3 lb. trout.
Separately, IL also stocks trout in Devils Kitchen Lake, which supports them year-round due to being a very deep (for IL) and clear lake. The record there is 10 lbs., IIRC.
However, I find them very hard to catch, in DKL. I have fished there many times, often with my wife and daughter along, and in all those years we’ve caught TWO. Conversely, at the put and take waterbodies, I usually do well, often nabbing my limit (of 5 trout).
“”I have fished there many times, often with my wife and daughter along, and in all those years we’ve caught TWO.””
I love fishing, but haven’t had the pleasure for decades. Trout fishing is something I only did once. Hiked way up a mountain in Missoula, Montana once and at the very top was a lake chock full of trout. I only had a jar of these red fish eggs for bait, but I didn’t even need them. Those trout were so hungry (desperate, even) that they were hitting bare hooks. It was so much fun and so beautiful. Thanks for that lovely reminder of the past.