Trout fishing comes to Centennial

ROCK FALLS – Centennial Park is becoming the Sauk Valley’s newest fishin’ hole.

The state stocked the pond at the popular Rock Falls park Tuesday, in anticipation of the fall trout season, which begins Oct. 15.

Usually, the Coleta Trout Pond gets filled with fish, but its ponds aren’t in good shape, said Dan Sallee, a regional fish biologist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

“Over the years, it has become more and more difficult to get the ponds ready,” Sallee said. “The thick layer of rich organic material makes it ideal for weed growth.”

Three generations of anglers have fished for trout in Coleta, and the IDNR has done “everything we could to keep it going,” to no avail, Sallee said.

“We are very sorry that that happened. We do recognize how important the tradition was.”

Trout fishing in Rock Falls will be a new opportunity for the city, Mike Sterba, director of parks and recreation for the Coloma Township Park District, said Tuesday.

“It’s a good thing for the kids; it’s a good thing for the community,” he said.

Centennial will be staffed by park district employees when the gates open at 5 a.m.

Sterba expects hundreds of people to try out the pond, and the fish to go quickly. “If you want a good catch, be there the first couple of days,” he said.

To fish in Centennial or any other spot this season, anglers 16 and older must have a fishing license and a trout stamp. In Rock Falls, they are available at Schreiner’s Mobil and Walmart, Sterba said.

To fish Centennial

To fish for trout in Centennial Park or elsewhere, anglers 16 and older must have a valid Illinois fishing license and an inland trout stamp, unless they are blind or disabled, or are state residents on active military service who are home on leave.

Licenses and trout stamps are available at DNR Direct license and permit locations, including many bait shops, sporting goods stores and other retail outlets. Licenses are $15; stamps are $6.50.

Go to dnr.illinois.gov/DNRDirectMonitor/VendorListing.aspx to find a retailer near you.

In Rock Falls, they are available at Rigler's, Walmart and Schreiner's Mobil.

They also can be bought at www.dnr.illinois.gov or by calling 888-673-7648.

A 2011 license is valid through March 31. Anglers also may buy a 24-hour license.

The daily limit is five trout per angler.

For more information, call the Coloma Township Park District, 815-625-0272, or the IDNR, 815-625-2968.