Cook County Forest Preserve Fishing Information

The Cook County Forest Preserves offer fantastic fishing opportunities for people throughout northeastern Ilinois. Most people live within a short driving distance from these wonderful fishing waters.

The map above centers on the most popular fishing lakes in the northern part of the Cook County Forest Preserves.

Popular Fishing Lakes in Cook County (north section):

Axehead Lake: a 34 acre lake that is most popular during the spring and fall during catchable trout season when the state fills up the lake with hundreds of trout. That usually last about a week. The rest of the year Axhead is popular for largemouth bass, though not great in size. Perch and bluegill make up the majority of the rest with an occasional carp. Axhead is also known for its minimal weed growth, though that has increased in recent years, and very steep drop-offs. Axehead is located at Touhy and I-294.

Beck Lake: Located in Glenview, IL, Beck Lake is a small gem that offers fishing opportunities for largemouth bass and crappie. There are also limited opportunities for northern pike and walleye.

Belleau Lake: Another lake that is part of the catchable trout program during the spring and fall (see Axehead Lake above). Very steep drop-offs, very clear water, and very limited vegetation are the main characteristics of Belleau Lake. Belleau is located on Busse Hwy in Park Ridge, IL.

Big Bend Lake: Located in Niles/Glenview, Big Bend Lake is a beautiful little lake, but the fishing is very poor. There are a few largemouth bass and a few crappie, but this lake has struggled for years. Most of the time, any quality fish will come in during high water periods from the adjecent DesPlaines River.

Busse Lake: Busse Lake is comprised of three sections - Busse Main, Busse South, Busse North. All three are conected and part of the Ned Brown Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village, IL. Busse Lake is one of the top 3 fishing lakes in the CCFPD. Busse Main and Busse South produce the most and biggest fish but Busse North is good too. Look for a mixed bag of everything... largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, catfish, bluegill, carp. Busse is most popular for largemouth bass and walleye.

Skokie Lagoons: The Skokie Lagoons have become very popular for fishing in the past several years. Extensive work by the CCFPD and DNR have resulted in one of the best fisheries in northern Illinois. Good numbers and size for largemouth bass and walleye bring anglers from miles around. Northern pike, channel catfish, and decent crappie are also available.