Beck Lake
Fishing Information & Reports
Beck Lake Facts
Size: 38 acres
Max Depth: 20 feet
Shoreline: 6000 feet (1.1 miles)
Location: Central and East River Road in Cook County (Glenview/Des Plaines border)
Fish: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass?, northern pike, walleye, crappie, bluegill, catfish, carp
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Jay's General Comments
Good ole Beck Lake - love it or hate it. Beck Lake is a Cook County Forest Preserve Lake that was constructed in 1958. The past several years have seen extensive stocking efforts of northern pike and walleye. Since 1999 each have been stocked annually in decent numbers. There have been sporadic reports of both being caught - even good sized ones. Large spinnerbaits have taken northern pike along the north weedlines, and walleye have been mostly taken by boaters working weedlines and channels with crankbaits or live bait. In 2004, 1750 2"-3" smallmouth bass were stocked in Beck Lake. Its still too early for them to be decent sized yet but we could start to see some in the coming years.
Largemouth bass and crappie are the main fish at Beck Lake. In fact my personal best largemouth of 21" came from Beck Lake in September of 2005 on a spinnerbait. And in 2007 I picked up an 18" largemough bass on a Senko. In past years my best success for bass came by working leeches either Lindy-rigged or free-lined along the northwest section of the lake. Crappie are also fairly decent at Beck Lake. The east shoreline just before the inlet is a good spot, as is the east shoreline just before the north shoreline. Slip-bobbers and a minnow can be deadly for crappie at Beck.
Beck Lake is also known for 2 other things - weeds and geese. The goose population borders on out-of-control at Beck Lake and the surrounding forest preserve. Though it is a very nice forest preserve and should be a good place to bring kids, the goose droppings are simply all over the place. Not ideal picnic conditions. The extensive weeds are another area of debate at Beck Lake. Sometimes the entire eastern shoreline to the island is choked with weeds. While this may be ideal for the fish, the forest preserve district sometimes does a weed kill. Many anglers have complained in recent years that this act destroys the fishing. While i'm not sure it "destroys" fishing, it does seem to effect it in a negative way.
Beck Lake Accommodations
Restroom facilities consist of a nice/handicapped-accessible porta-potty in the parking lot near the entrance for the dog area. By the lake there is an old outhouse. No sinks or running water. Restaurants, shops, etc are not far from Beck Lake - mostly located about a mile east along Milwaukee Avenue.
Boating is allowed at Beck Lake. Only trolling motors may be used. No inflatables. There is a boat ramp, but plan on getting wet putting the boat in and out of the water as its very shallow at the launch area.
The closest places to get live bait would be FishTech (formally Ed Shirleys) on Dempster in Morton Grove, Dick's Sporting Goods in The Glen Towne Centre, or WalMart on Milwaukee and Golf - but be sure to call ahead for availability!
Jay's Bottom Line
I love Beck Lake. I also hate Beck lake. Such a potential dynamite fisherie, but she often leaves the angler high and dry. The rewards can be great, but the outings often are an exercise in frustration. Using a boat increases the odds as there are many spots out of shore distance that hold some very nice fish.
Can you plan an outing to Beck Lake? Sure. Maybe not an all day affair, but getting out for a few early morning hours or sunset hours can be fun and productive. I wouldn't plan a family picnic there though because of the geese.
For current Beck Lake conditions, fishing reports and news, visit the Beck Lake Forum of our message boards.
Map and Directions
Beck Lake is located in unincorporated Cook County right on the Glenview/DesPlaines border. The entrance is on the north side of Central Ave. at East River Road and is easily accessible with plenty of parking.
