Fishing in DuPage County
Fishing is permitted in all of the Forest Preserve District's lakes, along the waters of the East and West Branches of the DuPage River, Salt Creek, the Des Plaines River, and in the tributary creeks, unless otherwise posted.
Management Programs
Fish and aquatic weed control management programs in the District's 25-plus lakes help ensure good fishing as well as properly-balanced aquatic ecosystems. The District's fish management program maintains healthy populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and other game fish in all District fishing lakes. Before a lake is stocked, a District biologist, who works in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, conducts fish sampling surveys to determine water quality, preferred species and their appropriate numbers. These surveys help the District identify the ecological needs for each lake.
During late January, fish cribs made of old Christmas trees and other materials are sunk in some lakes to provide habitat for fish and aquatic insects. In addition, as the trees decompose, they add valuable nutrients to the lakes.
A District-wide aquatic weed management program helps control weed quantities and locations that result in better habitat and water quality. It also means fewer weed-tangled lines and lost lures for anglers. Non-reproducing weed-eating fish, such as grass carp, have been introduced in some lakes to assist in the natural control of aquatic weed problems, more in keeping with the District's conservation philosophy. If these fish are caught, please release them back into the same lake.
Site-specific Sport Fishing Regulations
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County prefers not to limit fishing opportunities unless necessary to sustain quality fishing or to protect fisheries resources found in a particular lake or pond. Increasing numbers of anglers, coupled with more sophisticated anglers, are placing enormous pressure on existing fisheries resources in DuPage County. In order to offset intense fishing pressure on District waters, fisheries biologists study both fish populations and angler harvest characteristics to identify harvest problems. If necessary, a special regulation to restrict angler harvest may be implemented to improve the structure and abundance of the fish population, which could result in improved fishing. Various special regulations are used by fisheries biologists to restrict angler harvest. A MINIMUM LENGTH LIMIT means that fish below a designated length must be released. A DAILY CREEL LIMIT means that no more than a maximum number of a fish species may be taken daily. A CLOSED SEASON means that fish may not be taken between the specified dates.
Please Observe the Following:
- All persons 16 or older (except legally-disabled persons) are required to have in their possession a valid Illinois sport fishing license when fishing in Forest Preserve District of DuPage County waters. In order to take trout from any of the District's lakes, anglers must also have a valid Inland Trout Stamp.
- All persons under the age of 13 must wear a personal flotation device while in a boat on Forest Preserve District of DuPage County waters.
- Fishing hours coincide with regular preserve hours - one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset (night fishing is prohibited).
- Under the District's ordinances, each angler is permitted no more than two poles and lines, or tip-ups with not more than two hooks or lures attached to each.
- Anglers are asked not to use amphibians, reptiles or crayfish as bait. Anglers may use minnows, worms, insects, lures, wet flies, stink or blood bait, or dough balls. Bait collection is not permitted in the preserves. Bait is available at Herrick Lake and Blackwell concession areas when open.
- The daily creel limit per licensed angler and the required minimum fish lengths are:
- Largemouth Bass - 3 per day at 14 inches
- Catfish (all species) - 3 per day at 14 inches
- Northern Pike - 3 per day at 24 inches
- Walleye - 3 per day at 16 inches
- Crappie - 15 per day at 9 inches
- Trout - 5 per day, no minimum length
- Site-specific Sport Fishing Regulations:
- Largemouth Bass - 1 per day at 18 inches
- East Branch Forest Preserve - Rush Lake and Sunfish Pond
- Hidden Lake Forest Preserve - Hidden Lake and Round Meadow Lake
- Mayslake Forest Preserve - Upper Lake and Lower Lake
- West Branch Forest Preserve - Bass Lake and Deep Quarry Lake
- Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve - Grove Lake
- Fish may be released only into the waters from which they were taken. Please avoid returning minnows.
- Fishing with a net, seine or trap is unlawful, as is taking a fish with bow and arrow, spear or slingshot.
- Anglers are permitted to fish from the shore, docks or boats where permitted, but are not allowed to use waders, rubber rafts or other flotation devices.
- Herrick Lake and Blackwell rent boats at the concession areas by the hour or by the day, when open. Private non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors may be launched at Blackwell and West Branch forest preserves with a District annual or daily permit and annual state permit. Blackwell and West Branch daily boat-launching fees are $7.00 per day for DuPage County residents and $9.00 for non-County residents. Annual permits are $35.00 for DuPage County residents and $45.00 for non-County residents. Annual and daily permits may be purchased at the Blackwell concession (when open) or the District's main office in Glen Ellyn (open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). West Branch prohibits trailers and sailboats; only carry-in boats are allowed.
Bait Supplies and Refreshments
Anglers may visit the concession stand at Herrick Lake, open every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day, for bait supplies and refreshments. Vending machines only are available at Blackwell. Canoes and row boats are available at both sites on an hourly or daily rental basis. Trolling motors may be rented for an additional fee at Blackwell only.
Access for Disabled Persons
Blackwell, West Branch, Mallard Lake, Pratt's Wayne Woods and Wood Dale Grove forest preserves offer larger, more accessible fishing piers. Blackwell and Wood Dale Grove forest preserves also offer trails allowing disabled visitors access to the shoreline. Parking and latrines for disabled visitors are also available. For more information, contact the District's ADA Coordinator at (630) 933-7683.
Additional Fishing Information
The District maintains a 24-hour Outdoor Report hotline at (630) 871-6422 with current information on what lakes and baits are producing the trophy catches. Special events and other activities are also listed in this report, which is updated regularly. Information-hungry anglers may want to supplement the data provided on the Outdoor Report by obtaining a free copy of Fishing In DuPage, a free 40- page booklet produced by the District's Public Affairs Office that contains detailed information on all the fishing areas in DuPage forest preserves, along with rules and regulations for fishing in District waters. Fishing In DuPage is available at the District's headquarters or by mail from the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL, 60189-5000.
For more information about the Outdoor Report or Fishing in DuPage, call the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County at (630) 933-7248.
Fishing in DuPage County Rivers
DuPage County's rivers and streams offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities. There are three main river systems in the county: the West Branch of the DuPage River, the East Branch of the DuPage River and Salt Creek.
The following game fish species can be found in the East and West branches of the DuPage River: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed, crappie, carp, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, white sucker and northern pike.
The following game fish species can be found in Salt Creek: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, green sunfish, crappie, carp, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, white sucker, northern pike and walleye.
Creel Regulations for River Fishing
The daily creel limit per licensed angler and the required minimum fish lengths are:
- Bass (all species) – 3 per day at 15"
- Catfish (all species) – 3 per day at 12"
- Crappie – 15 per day at 9"
- Northern Pike – 3 per day at 24"
- Walleye – 3 per day at 16"
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is permitted on any preserve lake when the ice is at least four inches thick. Ice conditions are not checked by rangers. Anglers should make their own checks of ice thickness before venturing out onto any frozen waterway. Ice may be safe in one spot, yet very thin only a few feet away. River currents, underwater springs, animal activity (beavers) or runoff from local roads can all create hard-to-detect areas of thin ice. Remember, for your own safety, no ice should be considered totally safe. Using a little common sense can help you avoid a lot of problems.
Ice holes should be limited to 10 inches in diameter. Only portable shelters are permitted and should be removed when not in use.
Fishing Rules
For the most part, fishing rules in DuPage County Forest Preserves are similar to those of Illinois state regulations. However, the District is sometimes more stringent on catch limits in order to sustain a long-term fisheries program.
If you have any questions, ask a ranger or call the Forest Preserve District at (630) 933-7668.
Catch & Release
You've seen the old photos of smiling anglers posing with their catch of the day. Dozens, sometimes even hundreds, of game fish hanging from a stringer. Bass, panfish, trout and walleye - trophies, lunkers and keepers the likes of which are rare today, to say the least.
That's because those successful fishing expeditions of yesteryear came at a great cost to America's fisheries. Some lakes have been "fished out." Today, with increasing angling pressure on our lakes and streams, attitudes about fishing need to change to protect our fisheries in DuPage County.
Thankfully, we are seeing just that. Anglers are taking responsibility for the fisheries they visit by releasing the majority of their catch, including trophies, keeping only a few fish for the table. The following information will help you, the angler, share in the commitment to the future of sportfishing:
Fighting Your Catch
Today's fishing gear is a marvel of technological achievement; graphite rods and ultra-thin monofilament line have the strength and resilience of old-fashioned equipment twice their size. These days, battling a five pound bass on lightweight tackle isn't only possible - it's a breeze! But consider the ramifications; biologists have found that "playing out" a game fish to the point of exhaustion often proves fatal to the fish. Even though the fish may swim away upon release, it's weakened to the point that it may become prey to other fish or prone to disease. On the other hand, studies show that survival rates of fish released with some spark of life left in them are excellent. Knowledgeable, release-minded anglers, therefore, match their tackle to the task: that is, they use heavy enough equipment to play the fish quickly and efficiently, and, in turn, are able to release their catch in better shape.
When fighting your catch, keep constant pressure on the fish. Pump up with the rod, reel down and pump again. Don't just reel and reel. Let the drag do its job as the fish makes a run. Set your drag to slip just a bit on a good run, but stay light enough to turn the fish when you need to. Play him, but control him! Get the fish up and unhooked and back into the water as quickly as possible.
Proper Handling
If possible, it's best to release the fish without lifting it from the water. If you must handle the fish, "be wet, be gentle and be quick." Be sure to wet your hands before grabbing the fish, even though it makes things a bit more slippery. A dry hand will remove far more of the fish's protective slime coating, which is something it needs to survive. If you're going to hold the fish for a photo, support the whole body. Holding a fish by the gill or lip can injure the fish. It's best not to use a net. Netting removes a great deal of slime, although many larger fish species need to be netted for greater control. When you do use a net, use a soft rubber one, which is easier on the fish and won't tangle.
Hook Removal
Remember, be gentle when removing hooks and lures. Needle-nose pliers make quick work of things, even with lip-hooked fish. When fish are hooked more deeply than can be reached with the needle-nose, use a longer hook out tool or disgorger. Always reach through the fish's mouth; never go in through the gills, even though it may look like an easier process. And finally, for gut-hooked fish that appear healthy enough to release, simply cut the line as close to the hook as possible. The hook may dislodge or even dissolve over a period of time.
Reviving Distressed Fish
Proper revival means higher survival. Contrary to popular belief, exhausted fish should not be swished back and forth in the water, nor should they be simply tossed over the side of the boat. These methods create added stress. The correct procedure is to gently lower the fish back into the water, supporting it in an upright, swimming position, and letting it recover on its own. A healthy fish will take off in a flash, but very tired fish may need a little more time, so be patient. Most will regain their strength in a few seconds and swim away.
With the right attitude and information, future fishermen won't boast about the one that got away but about the one that they put back. The catch and release philosophy is "catching on!"
For more information on fishing in DuPage County, see the Chicagoland Fishing site and the Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857