Fishing in Lake County, Illinois
County seat: Waukegan. Population 714,342.
- 17lake pages
- 38IDNR launches
- 5river pages
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The basics of fishing Lake County
Waukegan serves as seat of Lake County, a county of 714,342 people by the 2020 Census. Its tackle loaner sites sit in the IDNR fishing map's Chicago/Northeast Illinois grouping on the IDNR IFishIllinois map. On Lake Michigan, Lake County offers 11 harbors from the IDNR page and 11 lagoons that IDNR stocks.
Fox Chain O' Lakes leads the 17 lake guides inside the county by surface acres. Trailer anglers can pick from 38 public launches on the IDNR layers. IDNR maps 6 fishing piers in the county for walk-up fishing. The IDNR stocking table lists 92 stocking rows for waters in the county from 2021 to 2026.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Pin map of the fishing spots in Lake County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes and reservoirs inside Lake County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Chain O' Lakes | 7,110 | lake | 10 | smallmouth bass, channel catfish, largemouth bass | |
| Diamond Lake | 153 | 23 ft | lake | 1 | black crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill |
| Independence Grove Lake (LCFPD) | 110 | 50 ft | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie |
| Hastings Lake (LCFPD) | 74 | lake | 1 | northern pike, black crappie, bluegill | |
| Sterling Lake (LCFPD) | 74 | 23 ft | lake | 2 | muskellunge, black crappie, largemouth bass |
| Turner Lake (COLSP) | 45 | 10 ft | lake | 2 | northern pike, channel catfish, largemouth bass |
| Timber Lake (LCFPD) | 32 | lake | 0 | black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Lake Tranquility | 27 | 10.9 ft | lake | 0 | |
| Lake Carina (LCFPD) | 23 | 21 ft | lake | 2 | bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Des Plaines Lake (LCFPD) | 19 | lake | 1 | channel catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie | |
| Sand Pond (IBSP) | pond | 1 | common carp, channel catfish, bluegill | ||
| Valley Lake | lake | 0 | channel catfish, common carp, bluegill | ||
| Nippersink Lake (LCFPD) | 13 | 17 ft | lake | 0 | channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill |
| Old School Pond (LCFPD) | 7 | pond | 2 | largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill | |
| Pulaski Lake (LCFPD) | 6 | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill | |
| Taylor Lake (LCFPD) | 6 | 17 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie |
| Banana Lake (LCFPD) | 5 | 27 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass |
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. Launch counts from the IDNR map and 2019 inventory; acres left blank where the IDNR page text disagrees with its listing.
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Lake Michigan has its own guide here, and the IDNR harbor list is below.
- 59th Street HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Belmont HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Burnham HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Calumet HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Diversey HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- DuSable HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Jackson (Inner)IDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Jackson (Outer)IDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Monroe HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Montrose HarborIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
- Navy PierIDNR: shoreline highlighted with red in harbor maps delineates public bank fishing access
IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR Lake Michigan page harbors and lagoons, read November 4, 2026.
Species counted on lake pages around Lake County
Inside 50 miles of Waukegan, bluegill appears on more lake pages than any other fish.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings, species named on IFishIllinois pages, the IDNR stocking table and state records, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a survey of fish numbers.
River pages filed under Lake County
- Des Plaines RiverIFishIllinois page, 15 IDNR-mapped ramps, 12 USGS gauges
- Fox RiverIFishIllinois page, 49 IDNR-mapped ramps, 12 USGS gauges
- Chicago River8 USGS gauges
- North Branch Chicago River5 IDNR-mapped ramps, 2 USGS gauges
- Skokie River2 USGS gauges
Lake County streams shown only here (2)
- Dead River (Lake County)river
- Waukegan Riverriver
USGS stations streaming data from Lake County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee, Il | 101 cfs, 1.91 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:30 pm |
| Des Plaines River At Lincolnshire, Il | 79 cfs, 6.65 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Des Plaines River At Russell, Il | 57 cfs, 4.15 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:30 pm |
| Mill Creek At Old Mill Creek, Il | 24 cfs, 6.40 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
| Skokie River Near Highland Park, Il | 2 cfs, 3.15 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:25 am |
| Skokie River At Lake Forest, Il | 4 cfs, 2.12 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:25 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 12:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDNR IFishIllinois river and pool pages, USGS GNIS names, IDNR map launches and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 4, 2026.
Stage and flow notes near Lake County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines River near Gurnee | 2.01 ft | 0.0448 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mill Creek (IL) at Old Mill Creek | 6.55 ft | 0.0354 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Des Plaines River near Russell | 4.08 ft | 0.0164 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Skokie River at Lake Forest | 2.09 ft | 0.0048 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:40:00 UTC |
| Des Plaines River at Lincolnshire | 6.79 ft | 0.0956 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 17:45:00 UTC |
The Weather Service values show the time they were taken and do not refresh.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Public launches inside Lake County
- Diamond Lake Boat RampDiamond Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Fox Chain O' Lakes American Legion Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox Chain O' Lakes Anchor Pointe Marina Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox Chain O' Lakes Bauske Marina Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox Chain O' Lakes COLSP Maple Grove Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox Chain O' Lakes Musky Tales Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox Chain O' Lakes Oak Park Lounge Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox Chain O' Lakes Sandbar Bar and Grille Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox Chain O' Lakes Sequoit Harbor Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox Chain O' Lakes Turtle Beach Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox Chain O' Lakes Your Boat Club Boat RampFox Chain O' Lakes, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway boat sticker required
- Fox River COLSP Oak Point Boat Ramp on Turner Lake (COLSP)Turner Lake (COLSP), IDNR note: Fox Waterway sticker required
- Fox River Fox River FP Boat RampFox River, IDNR note: Fee required to launch; Fox Waterway sticker required
- Lake Michigan North Point Marina Boat Ramp on Sand Pond (IBSP)Sand Pond (IBSP), IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Long Lake Boat Ramp (north)Long Lake (KSRA), IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Sterling Lake Boat RampSterling Lake (LCFPD), IDNR note: Cartop boats only
- Turner Lake Boat RampTurner Lake (COLSP), launch
- Deep Lake Boat RampDeep Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Des Plaines River Gowe Park Canoe/Kayak Launch on Lake Carina (LCFPD)Lake Carina (LCFPD), launch
- Des Plaines River Independance Grove Canoe/Kayak Launch on Independence Grove Lake (LCFPD)Independence Grove Lake (LCFPD), launch
- Des Plaines River Oak Spring Road Canoe/Kayak Launch on Old School Pond (LCFPD)Old School Pond (LCFPD), launch
- Des Plaines River Rivershire Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch
- Des Plaines River Townline Road Canoe/Kayak Launch on Old School Pond (LCFPD)Old School Pond (LCFPD), launch
- Des Plaines River Van Patten Woods Canoe/Kayak Launch on Sterling Lake (LCFPD)Sterling Lake (LCFPD), launch
- Des Plaines River Wadsworth Road Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines Lake (LCFPD), launch
- Hastings Car-Top Boat LaunchHastings Lake (LCFPD), launch
- Lake Carina Car-Top Boat LaunchLake Carina (LCFPD), launch
- Lake Michigan Highland Park Boat RampLake Michigan, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Illinois Beach SP North Unit Canoe/Kayak LaunchLake Michigan, IDNR note: Beach launch
- Lake Michigan Illinois Beach SP South Unit Canoe/Kayak LaunchLake Michigan, IDNR note: Beach launch
- Lake Michigan North Point Marina Canoe/Kayak LaunchLake Michigan, IDNR note: Beach launch
- Lake Michigan Park Avenue Boating Canoe/Kayak LaunchLake Michigan, IDNR note: Beach launch; Fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Sunrise Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchLake Michigan, IDNR note: Beach launch; Fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Boat RampLake Michigan, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Canoe/Kayak LaunchLake Michigan, IDNR note: Beach launch
- Long Lake Car-Top Boat Launchwater not named, launch
- Loon Lake – West and East Boat RampLoon Lake – West and East, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Round Lake Boat RampRound Lake, IDNR note: Non-resident fee required to launch
4 launches ramps serve water that is listed here rather than paged.
Shore fishing across Lake County
- Ada Fishing Pier on Sand Pond (IBSP) (north)fishing pier, IDNR site: North Point Marina
- Ada Fishing Pier on Sand Pond (IBSP) (south)fishing pier, IDNR site: North Point Marina
- Chain O' Lakes Fishing Pier on Turner Lake (COLSP) (east)fishing pier, IDNR site: Chain O' Lakes
- Chain O' Lakes Fishing Pier on Turner Lake (COLSP) (west)fishing pier, IDNR site: Chain O' Lakes
- Chain O' Lakes Fishing Pier on Turner Lake (COLSP)fishing pier, IDNR site: Chain O' Lakes
- Chain O' Lakes Fishing Pier on Turner Lake (COLSP)fishing pier, IDNR site: Chain O' Lakes
The asset list adds 17 boat docks.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026. IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Stocking table rows for Lake County waters
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Largemouth Bass | 4,018 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Largemouth Bass | 11,716 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Muskellunge | 2,015 | Adult |
| 2026 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Walleye | 333,577 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Walleye | 2,762,000 | Not Specified |
| 2026 | Hastings Lake (LCFPD) | Northern Pike | 355 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Old School Pond (LCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 165 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Sand Pond (IBSP) | Channel Catfish | 750 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Sand Pond (IBSP) | Largemouth Bass | 287 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Sand Pond (IBSP) | Northern Pike | 72 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Sand Pond (IBSP) | Rainbow Trout | 3,106 | Adult |
| 2026 | Sand Pond (IBSP) | Rainbow Trout | 950 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Sterling Lake (LCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 495 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Sterling Lake (LCFPD) | Walleye | 6,184 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Turner Lake (COLSP) | Channel Catfish | 855 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Turner Lake (COLSP) | Largemouth Bass | 765 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Turner Lake (COLSP) | Northern Pike | 139 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Diamond Lake | Channel Catfish | 752 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Diamond Lake | Muskellunge | 100 | Adult |
| 2025 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Largemouth Bass | 18,219 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Largemouth Bass | 6,024 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Muskellunge | 2,025 | Adult |
| 2025 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Muskellunge | 7,553 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Walleye | 341,396 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Fox Chain O' Lakes | Walleye | 2,845,000 | Not Specified |
| 2025 | Hastings Lake (LCFPD) | Northern Pike | 309 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Old School Pond (LCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 176 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Sand Pond (IBSP) | Channel Catfish | 752 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Sand Pond (IBSP) | Largemouth Bass | 329 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Sand Pond (IBSP) | Northern Pike | 72 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; rows reach the county through the water they name.
The 2026 digest rows for Lake County water
A Lake County water without a digest entry uses these statewide limits. IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident). Lake Michigan trout and salmon need the $6.50 Salmon Stamp on top of the license.
| Species | Daily limit | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
The Lake Michigan section for Lake County
| Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|
| All Fish | All devices used for sport fishing on Lake Michigan must be attended at all times |
| Lake Trout | 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Whitefish or Round Whitefish | 12 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, singly or in the aggregate |
| Large or Smallmouth Bass | 21 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Trout and Salmon | 10 inch Minimum Length Limit; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, singly or in the aggregate, except for Lake Trout |
| Yellow Perch | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (6); Closed May 1 through June 15 |
Lake County waters carrying digest exceptions (18)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Bevier Park Lagoon | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Bevier Park Lagoon | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Chicago River | Yellow Perch | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (6); Closed May 1 through June 15 |
| Diamond Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Diamond Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Diamond Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Diamond Lake | Pure Muskellunge | 48 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Fox Chain O’Lakes | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) on State Park property bordering the Fox River and Grass Lake. All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Fox Chain O’Lakes | Flathead Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 28 inches and 2 Fish less than 28 inches |
| Fox Chain O’Lakes | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit of which no more than 3 can be Smallmouth Bass |
| Fox Chain O’Lakes | Pure Muskellunge | 48 inch Minimum Length Limit (10) |
| Fox Chain O’Lakes | Smallmouth Bass | All Fish must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15 |
| Fox Chain O’Lakes | Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and less than 24 inches; 4 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 24 inches |
| Fox River | Flathead Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 28 inches and 2 Fish less than 28 inches |
| Fox River | Smallmouth Bass | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and 2 Fish less than 12 inches; All Smallmouth Bass must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15 |
| Fox River | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Fox River Marina | Recreational Use Restrictions Bank Fishing Only (in areas designated by Lake County Forest Preserve District) | |
| Fox River Marina | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Bullfrogs may not be taken by hand, gig, pitchfork, spear, landing net or hook and line |
| Gages Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Gages Lake | Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye | 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
The heaviest Illinois fish near Lake County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brook Trout | hook and line | 7 lbs 5 oz | Lake Michigan | Nov. 3, 1998 |
| Chinook Salmon | hook and line | 37 lbs 0 oz | Lake Michigan | Aug. 7, 1976 |
| Coho Salmon | hook and line | 20 lbs 9 oz | Lake Michigan | May 24, 1972 |
| Largemouth Bass | hook and line | 13 lbs 1 oz | Stone Quarry Lake | Feb. 15, 1976 |
| Pink Salmon | hook and line | 4 lbs 14.4 oz | Lake Michigan | Aug. 4, 2022 |
| Rainbow Trout | hook and line | 31 lbs 6.72 oz | Lake Michigan | July 10, 1993 |
| Common Carp x Goldfish | bow and arrow | 4 lbs 6 oz | Fox Chain O' Lakes | June 6, 2015 |
| Grass Carp | bow and arrow | 78 lbs 8 oz | Lake Minear | June 5, 2014 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Tournament launches in Lake County
Organizers list 3 events on Lake County water, with 0 still coming.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Des Plaines River – Big Basin Marina (2025-26) | Des Plaines River | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| May 22, 2025 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Des Plaines River – Big Basin Marina (2024-25) | Des Plaines River | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| May 4, 2025 | IBN Team Series Des Plaines River 2025 | Des Plaines River | Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation |
Organizer schedule and results pages (IDNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked November 2026.
Free loaner tackle in Lake County
- Fox River Grove Memorial Library407 Lincoln Avenue, Fox River Grove, (847) 639-2274
- YMCA Camp Independence32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside, (205) 337-4897
- Bill's Boat Bait and Marina216 W. Main Street, Lake Zurich, (847)796-0216 (office); (224) 623-9340 (cell)
- Prairie Grass Nature Museum/Round Lake Park District860 Hart Road, Round Lake, (847) 546-8558
- Wauconda Park District600 N. Main Street, Wauconda, (847) 526-3610
IDNR runs these as free rod and reel loans, mostly at libraries, parks and offices.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Buying bait inside Lake County
Crawlers, line and lures in Lake County
- Busch's Baitbait and tackle shop, Lake Villa
- Jim's Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Fox Lake
- Lake Michigan Anglerfly shop, Winthrop Harbor
- Musselhead Tacklebait and tackle shop, Beach Park
- Triangle Sports & Marinebait and tackle shop, Antioch
- Bass Pro Shops Gurneesporting goods store, Gurnee
- Ben Watts Marinamarina, Fox Lake
- Bobs Marina Incmarina, Antioch
- Chain O Lakes Marinamarina, Fox Lake
- Dick's Sporting Goods Deer Parksporting goods store, Deer Park
- Dick's Sporting Goods Gurneesporting goods store, Gurnee
- Dick's Sporting Goods Vernon Hillssporting goods store, Vernon Hills
- Dockside Ice Creammarina, Waukegan
- Dolphin Harbor Marina and Campgroundmarina, Antioch
- Five Star Boat Centermarina, Fox Lake
- Fox Lake Harbormarina, Fox Lake
- Inland Harbor Marinamarina, Antioch
- Light House Marina of Fox Lakemarina, Fox Lake
- Midwest Marinemarina, Antioch
- Mineola Marine Incmarina, Fox Lake
- Munson Marinemarina, Ingleside
- Pistakee Lake Marinamarina, Fox Lake
- Sandbar Marinamarina, Antioch
- Sequoit Harbormarina, Antioch
- Skipper Marina of Chicago-Land Incmarina, Antioch
- Spring Lake Marina & Campgroundmarina, Antioch
- Your Boat Club Antiochmarina, Antioch
Booking a Lake County fishing guide
- Angler Charterscharter, Chicago, (708) 738-6155
- Capt. Al's Charter Boat Fleetcharter, Chicago, (312) 565-0104
- Capt. Randy's Charter Servicecharter, Chicago, (312) 718-1995
- Chicago Scenic Charterscharter, Downers Grove, (312) 899-6354
- Confusion Too Charterscharter, Chicago, (888) 929-3474
- Endorfins Charterscharter, Chicago
- Full Circle Charterscharter, Chicago, (630) 215-8801
- Jim's Buoy Chartercharter, Chicago, (312) 664-9541
- King Fisher Charterscharter, Chicago, (773) 919-9544
- Kingfisherman Charters Inc.charter, Chicago, (773) 450-7729
- Leprechaun Charter Servicecharter, Chicago, (773) 445-6262
- Migrator Charterscharter, Winthrop Harbor, (815) 338-8093
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings; guide and charter association pages (matched by the waters they list or their county), read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Lake County
Town fishing pages across Lake County
- Waukeganpop. 89,321
- Buffalo Grovepop. 43,212
- Mundeleinpop. 31,560
- North Chicagopop. 30,759
- Gurneepop. 30,706
- Highland Parkpop. 30,176
- Round Lake Beachpop. 27,252
- Vernon Hillspop. 26,850
- Zionpop. 24,655
- Grayslakepop. 21,248
- Libertyvillepop. 20,579
- Lake Zurichpop. 19,759
- Lake Forestpop. 19,367
- Deerfieldpop. 19,196
- Round Lakepop. 18,721
- Antiochpop. 14,622
Counties bordering Lake County
- Cook County22 miles south
- DuPage County27 miles southwest
- McHenry County34 miles west
- Kane County36 miles southwest
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Lake County
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Telling the Lake County fish apart by photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
What anglers want to know about Lake County water
Does Lake County have a public ramp on the IDNR map?
IDNR lists 38 launches; one is Diamond Lake Boat Ramp.
Which impoundment in Lake County covers the most ground?
Fox Chain O' Lakes, at 7,110 acres by the IDNR listing.
What swims in the lakes near Lake County?
Bluegill tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, channel catfish and black crappie.
Where does a Lake County angler buy crawlers and minnows?
Try Busch's Bait; 27 are listed.
Does Lake County have an IDNR tackle loaner site?
IDNR lists 5 loaner sites here, starting with Fox River Grove Memorial Library in Fox River Grove.
Which town runs Lake County county business?
County government sits in Waukegan.
How much does a nonresident pay to fish in Lake County?
IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident). Lake Michigan trout and salmon need the $6.50 Salmon Stamp on top of the license.
Which counties lie a short drive past Lake County?
Closest by centre point: Cook County, DuPage County and McHenry County.
How many trail events list Lake County water?
Organizers posted 3 events for this county, and none is scheduled ahead yet.
Which site-specific entries reach Lake County?
The digest lists 18 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Bevier Park Lagoon; the table above shows each.
Are Lake County lakes stocked?
The IDNR table carries 92 rows; the newest lists 2,762,000 Walleye, Not Specified (2026) in Fox Chain O' Lakes.
Which IDNR record lines name Lake County?
Brook Trout, 7 lbs 5 oz, November 3, 1998 (hook and line), from Lake Michigan.
Does Lake County reach Lake Michigan?
Lake County fronts Lake Michigan, where IDNR lists 11 harbors with public bank fishing and 11 stocked park lagoons.
Give Lake County water a whole weekend
Lake pages carry launches, IDNR ratings and digest rules.