By Karen Kirr

Campus editor

Get out your fishing pole and bait because the 2001 spring fishing season is only weeks away.

The season officially begins at 5 a.m. April 7, said Brent Manning, Illinois Department of Natural Resources director, in a press release.

Before this time and date, trout is prohibited from being taken from the stocked sites, he said.

“Each spring, the opening day of trout season is a fun day for families to go fishing,” Manning said. “There will be more than 60,000 catchable-size trout stocked in ponds and streams at 40 locations throughout the state, providing a great opportunity for youngsters and adults to enjoy some time outdoors.”

For residents above the age of 16 to legally participate, unless they are blind or disabled, they must purchase the necessary licenses, said Carol Knowles, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

“You have to have a fishing license and an inland trout fishing stamp,” Knowles said.

Manning said these may be purchased at various Illinois Department of Natural Resources offices in Illinois as well as sporting goods stores and bait shops. They also may be acquired with a credit card online through the Web site at http://dnr.state.il.us., the press release said.