From lakes and rivers to small creeks, the northwest suburbs boast an incredible variety of fishing sites.
The local crown jewel for anglers in the northwest suburbs, of course, is the Chain O’ Lakes, located in McHenry and Lake counties. The Chain is nine interconnected lakes-Pistakee, Fox, Nippersink, Grass, Marie, Channel, Catherine, Bluff and Petite-covering 6,465 acres and teeming with largemouth bass, walleye, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, yellow bass, northern pike, muskie, yellow perch and white bass.
Where else can you wet a line in the northwest suburban area? There’s the Fox River, Des Plaines River, Crystal Lake, McCullom Lake in McHenry, Island Lake, Lake Zurich, Bode Lakes near Hoffman Estates, Lake in the Hills, Deer Grove Lake near Palatine and Bang’s Lake in Wauconda.
Moraine Hills State Park near McHenry is the home of Lake Defiance, which was created when the glaciers swept through 12,000 or so years ago. Moraine Hills is also the home of Warrior Lake, Wilderness Lake and Tomahawk Lake. McHenry County also has 301 miles of streams.
The Cook County Forest Preserve’s 590-acre Busse Lake in Schaumburg is a popular fishing spot. More modest are Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights and the Twin Lakes Recreation Area in Palatine, not to mention dozens of other lakes, streams, farm ponds and other fishing holes. Even Chicago Bears’ Hall of Famer Walter Payton has a stocked fish pond in the yard of his South Barrington home.
Whether you’re new to the sport of fishing or can boast decades of experience on the Chain, here are some telephone numbers for several local fishing clubs and groups:
Crystal Lake Anglers, 815-455-4018.
Des Plaines Lunkerbusters, 708-577-6528.
Northern Illinois Crank ‘N Bass, 708-980-1448.
Arlington Anglers, 708-577-3040.
Northern Illinois Conservation Council, 708-395-2087.
Walleyes Unlimited, 708-884-9433.
Fox River Valley Muskies, 708-232-6895.
Chicagoland Muskies, 312-625-5323.
Northern Illinois Bassmasters, 815-544-0298.
Fox River Anglers, 815-477-3048.
American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association, 708-381-9490.
Charlie’s Anglers, 708-894-7075.
Remember, anyone between ages 16 and 65 needs a fishing license. They’re available at bait shops across the state. The cost of an annual fishing license for an Illinois resident is $7.50. However, the Illinois Department of Conservation sponsors Free Fishing Days, when a license isn’t needed, from June 11-14. Call 217-782-7616 for more information.
