Fishing times todaySolunar periods, sunrise and moonrise for the county around Wolf Lake, today and the next 7 days.Best fishing times today
Cook County
Sizing up Wolf Lake
Look for Wolf Lake in Cook County: a lake that IDNR sizes at 380 acres. Burnham lies roughly 3 miles off, the handiest Census place.
Boaters get 4 boat ramps from the IDNR map. Its limits differ from the statewide table in places.
380acres (IDNR)
4mapped ramps
5IDNR-rated species
8species named
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. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Location (IDNR)Wolf Lake is located southeast of Chicago, east of Avenue "O" at 130th Street in the Hegwisch neighborhood.
Description (IDNR)Prior to 1947 Wolf Lake was a small, shallow glacial lake situated in a wetland area between the confluence of the Grand Calumet and Calumet Rivers. Since that time however, the construction of a low level dam and levees from extensive dredging operations have changed the lake's appearance. The lake and it's fishery have developed into a haven for anglers to enjoy some quiet time away from the highly urbanized …
Amenities on the IDNR page for Wolf Lake
Family FriendlyNo
Handicap AccessYes
Boat FishingYes – 10 hp limit and no wake for boats with larger motors
Boat RampsYes
Boat RentalsYes
CampingNo
PicnickingYes
SkiingNo
SwimmingNo
The rows above quote the IDNR page for Wolf Lake.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Bluegill densities and quality vary from pool to pool. Bluegill are not very abundant at the Wolf Lake North Pool, but are a little more abundant at the Main and Stateline Pools. Fish averaged around 4 inches in the…
Channel Catfish are requested from the State Hatchery System on an annual basis. These fish are typically 8 – 10 inches and immediately provide anglers the opportunity to bring home their catch. A baited-hoop netting…
Black Crappie are poorly collected in electrofishing surveys, thus the extent of the Crappie population at Wolf Lake is currently unknown. Future trap netting surveys are planned at each pool to evaluate this popular…
Largemouth Bass densities and quality vary from pool to pool. The Main and Stateline Pools have the better fisheries, with fish up to 15 and 17 inches collected in the Fall 2025 electrofishing surveys (though average…
Walleye are stocked by Illinois DNR into the Main Pool, and Indiana fish are able to enter the Illinois portion through the Stateline Pool connection. Spring nighttime electrofishing surveys indicate that fish reach…
The best IDNR grade at Wolf Lake goes to walleye: very good.
Each species named here comes from the IDNR page, the stocking table or the record list for Wolf Lake; it is not a creel count.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
IDNRThe fishery is evaluated via routine major and species-specific surveys and stocking includes Largemouth Bass, Chanel Catfish, Walleye, and Northern Pike. The "Office Lagoon" receives catchable Rainbow Trout as part of the Inland Trout Program and Hybrid Sunfish as part of the Urban Fishing Program.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR records these Wolf Lake stockings by year only.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
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
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
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.
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
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
At Wolf Lake a site-specific digest line beats the statewide row.
Local digest rules for Wolf Lake
Water as printed
Species
Rule as printed (code)
Wolf Lake
Recreational Use Restrictions
Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12)
Wolf Lake
All Fish
2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Wolf Lake
Channel Catfish
6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Wolf Lake
Large or Smallmouth Bass
14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Wolf Lake
Trout
Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) WOODFORD STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA – FISHING DITCH Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area • Woodford
Wolf Lake
Recreational Use Restrictions
Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12)
Wolf Lake
All Fish
2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Wolf Lake
Large or Smallmouth Bass
12 inch Minimum Length Limit
Code 1Sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached (Alabama rigs not allowed) while fishing, except that legal size cast nets (in accordance with Section 810.50(a)(2)), shad scoops, and minnow …
Code 7It shall be illegal to possess trout during the period of October 1 to 5 a.m. on the third Saturday in October (both dates inclusive) that were caught during that period.
Code 8It shall be illegal to possess trout during the period of March 15 to 5 a.m. on the 1st Saturday in April (both dates inclusive) that were caught during that period. 12 12
Code 12It shall be unlawful to trespass upon a designated waterfowl hunting area during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season, or to fish on such areas during the regular duck and Canada goose season except in areas posted as open to fishing. It shall be …
Wolf Lake: what Prairie State anglers want settled
Which Illinois county is Wolf Lake in?
Wolf Lake is located southeast of Chicago, east of Avenue "O" at 130th Street in the Hegwisch neighborhood. You will find it in Cook County, about 3 miles from Burnham.
How much surface does Wolf Lake have by IDNR count?
The IFishIllinois figure is 380 acres.
How many IDNR-mapped ramps touch Wolf Lake?
Wolf Lake Main Boat Ramp North is among 4 boat ramps.
What does IDNR say is biting at Wolf Lake?
IDNR rates bluegill as fair; channel catfish, black crappie, largemouth bass, walleye and hybrid sunfish also appear in its sources.
Does Wolf Lake have special regulations?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. Its own digest entry sits in the limits band too.
Does a visitor need a license at Wolf Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Can a bank caster do well at Wolf Lake?
The IDNR flags say Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes; no pier is on its asset list.
Which Illinois tackle counter is nearest Wolf Lake?
Sunset Bay Marina, about 3 miles away, tops the shop list.
For the bluegill herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 
Pick for bluegillPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 
