Bolingbrook Bait Shop Serves Will County Fishermen, Residents

BOLINGBROOK, IL — More than a year after the Will County Forest Preserve purchased Hidden Oaks Preserve, a bait shop that offers fishing licenses and other fishing needs is open for business and ready to provide local residents with a variety of services.

The bait shop replaces a former shop that was on-site when the preserve was purchased by the county. The new bait shop had a soft opening in May before it become fully functional last month.

The tackle Box bait shop hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through August. In September and October, bait shop hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

The bait shop has running water and a bathroom with a flush toilet that is open during bait shop hours. Bait for sale includes large minnows, medium shiner minnows, a variety of worms, catfish magic bait, trout paste, and catfish stink bait.

Fishing tackle also is for sale ranging from fishing baskets and buckets to nets and bobbers. Fishing poles with a closed face, spin cast reels are available for use for the day for free, thanks to an Illinois Department of Natural Resources program. Food items for sale are hot dogs, cheeseburgers, deli sandwiches, soda, water, chips, candy, crackers, Gatorade, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and ice cream.

“We get bikers, hikers, runners, anglers, paddlers, families out to picnic, and more,” Angie Trobaugh, a program coordinator for the Will County Forest Preserve said in a news release. “The Tackle Box is a one-stop shop for all of them.”

Hidden Lakes Trout Farm is part of Hidden Oaks Preserve, which is located at 419 Trout Farm Road, north of Boughton Road. For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Will County, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.