Best Places To Go Fishing Near Chicago
It's easy to secure those simple means of wholesome fun today, picking up enduring memories and the mindful mentality that is impossible to achieve with your nose in a smart phone. Fishing can be an instant disconnect from the relentless drone of electronics that has embezzled away our enjoyment of the moment. Unlike skiing, horseback riding, tennis, golf or other pricey sports, fishing is inexpensive; you obtain a fishing license in Illinois for as little as $15 and you don't need costly lessons. Just dip your line into any of these nearby spots and lighten up until a bite from the end of the line yanks you back to reality. Be sure to check out these fishy destinations, too.
Three Oaks Recreation Area
5517 Northwest Highway
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(815) 459-2020
www.crystallake.org/three-oaks
Three Oaks Recreation Area, a reclaimed quarry with crystal-clear water and top-notch fishing, has become a popular place for anglers who travel from Rockford to the north to the south side of Chicago. Rent a boat at the marina (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only) or just fish along the shore for Catfish, Walleye, Muskie, Perch, Panfish, Small and Large Mouth Bass and Northern Pike, among others. The water quality and clarity is appealing and unusual for this neck of the woods. Buy nightcrawlers, tackle gear or an Illinois fishing license right onsite in the Marina building.
Busse Woods Forest Preserve
N. Arlington Heights Road
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(800) 870-3666
fpdcc.com/busse-woods
Calling it an oasis in Cook County is an understatement with 3,558-acres making up the Ned Brown Preserve, better known as Busse Woods. You can fish the 20 miles of shoreline along Busse Reservoir year round and there are six fishing walls, four of which offer access to deep water. Because of the varied geology, there are lots of great spots to fish for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, Northern Pike, Walleye and others at Busse Lake where you can drop a line in from canoes, rowboats and sailboats, too. Regulars say it's fairly easy to catch good-sized Largemouth Bass here.
Chain O Lakes State Park
8916 Wilmot Road
Spring Grove, IL 60081
(847) 587-5512
dnr.state.il.us
This may be the "waterworld" of Northern Illinois, bordering three natural lakes, and home to its own 44-acre lake as well as the Fox River. Although it's not a great spot for shoreline fishing due to a general marshy geography, the Chain offers excellent fishing from piers and boats. According to the DNR, you can expect to catch " Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Muskie, Northern Pike, Bullhead, Catfish and Yellow and White Bass."
Geneva Lake
Lake Geneva, WI
(888) 936-7463
dnr.wi.gov
Geneva Lake, its official name, is deep and cold, making it ideal for an abundance of Smallmouth Bass but Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Trout and Walleye also call its clear water home. The lake is packed on weekends in summer with pleasure boaters from Wisconsin and Illinois, so a more serene outing, along with better fishing opportunities, await during the week.
Waukegan Harbor
Waukegan, IL
(847) 244-3133
www.waukeganport.com
Just north of the city, the Waukegan portion of Lake MIchigan promises terrific trout and salmon fishing (especially April to June) and Waukegan Harbor is the ideal place to shove off into the Great Lake. If jumbo Yellow Perch is more to your liking, get out on a boat early in the season but expect Coho and Chinook Salmon to be biting June through October.
Related: Best Hiking Trails In Chicago
Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
