West Branch
The 811-acre West Branch Forest Preserve in Bartlett contains two lakes, wetlands, a tallgrass meadow, a wet prairie, an immature floodplain forest, and a rare fen and hosts a variety of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds, including grassland birds and migrating and nesting shorebirds. Originally purchased to help with flood control, the forest preserve also features a reservoir that collects and naturally filters stormwater.
Recreation
Picnicking
Picnickers can use any of the inviting tables located near the parking lot.
Ground fires are prohibited, but visitors may bring their own grills and use the on-site hot-coal disposal containers.
For everyone’s convenience, West Branch offers a water pump and restrooms with pit toilets.
Trails
Over 2 miles of trails ideal for hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing and horseback riding winds through the preserve and connects to the Hawk Hollow Preserve trail system to the north.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome at West Branch Forest Preserve but must be on leashes no greater than 10 feet in length.
Fishing
The 40-acre Deep Quarry Lake has two fishing piers and a maximum depth of 45 feet; 15-acre Bass Lake’s deepest point is 30 feet. Both contain bass, sunfish, channel and flathead catfish, carp, bluegill, and crappie. Night fishing is allowed along the shores of Deep Quarry Lake, but all anglers must be out of the forest preserve by 11 p.m.
The West Branch of the DuPage River snakes through the forest preserve for over
2 miles, offering scenic beauty for all visitors in addition to ample fishing opportunities.
Anglers 16 and older who are not legally disabled must have valid Illinois sport fishing licenses in their possession. They must also carry Inland Trout Stamps in order to take trout from Forest Preserve District lakes. All anglers must follow all District and state regulations.
Zebra Mussels
The Forest Preserve District confirmed the presence of invasive, nonnative zebra mussels in Deep Quarry Lake and is working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to prevent any further spread.
To help these efforts, anglers should remove any water, mud, plants or animals from all tackle and empty water and bait from bait buckets into trash containers or far away from the water’s edge before leaving the forest preserve. They should also clean anything that comes in contact with water from the lake or river with hot water (over 104°) or a power washer or allow it to dry for at least five days.
Accessibility
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. Individuals with accessibility needs or concerns should contact the District’s ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 or TTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days before their visit.