Fishing near Arlington Heights, Illinois
Cook County, population 77,676.
- 5 milesto nearest lake page
- 8launches nearby
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Fishing within a tank of gas of Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights is a village in Cook County with 77,676 residents at the 2020 Census. Go south roughly 5 miles to reach Busse Lake (FPDCC), the nearest lake guide. Top of the table by surface: Beck Lake (FPDCC), near 37 acres. Trailers can splash at Des Plaines River Dam No. 2 Woods Canoe/Kayak Launch, about 5 miles away.
Lake Michigan launches start 12 miles away at Lake Michigan Park Avenue Boating Canoe/Kayak Launch. Roughly 3 miles away, Northwest Special Rec. Assoc. lends fishing gear.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Arlington Heights; miles are straight lines.
Park ponds and reservoirs ringing Arlington Heights
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busse Lake (FPDCC) | 5 miles south | 19 ft | lake | 2 | bluegill, walleye, muskellunge | |
| Beck Lake (FPDCC) | 6 miles east | 37 | 19 ft | lake | 1 | northern pike, bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Belleau Lake (FPDCC) | 7 miles southeast | 12 | 32 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
| Axehead Lake (FPDCC) | 9 miles southeast | 17 | 31 ft | lake | 0 | northern pike, bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Songbird Lake | 10 miles south | 14 | 19 ft | lake | 0 | yellow bass |
| Maple Lake (FPDDC) | 10 miles southwest | lake | 0 | bluegill, black crappie, 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.
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Lake Michigan near Arlington Heights fronts Lake Michigan, where IDNR lists 11 harbors with public bank fishing and 11 stocked park lagoons.
- Lake Michigan Park Avenue Boating Canoe/Kayak Launchfee noted, 12 miles
- Lake Michigan Highland Park Boat Rampfee noted, 12 miles
- Lake Michigan Lloyd Park Canoe/Kayak Launchfee noted, 13 miles
- Lake Michigan Sunrise Park Canoe/Kayak Launchfee noted, 15 miles
IDNR Lake Michigan fishing page and Lake Michigan entry of the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Rivers nearest the Arlington Heights city limits
- Skokie River11 miles, 2 USGS gauges
- Fox River14 miles, IFishIllinois page, 49 IDNR-mapped ramps, 12 USGS gauges
USGS gauges near Arlington Heights
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Creek At Rolling Meadows, Il | 5 cfs, 2.31 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:45 pm |
| Mc Donald Creek Near Mount Prospect, Il | 1 cfs, 0.84 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:45 pm |
| Buffalo Creek Near Wheeling, Il | 1 cfs, 1.33 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 5, 2026 5:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDNR IFishIllinois river and pool pages, USGS GNIS names and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 4, 2026.
Launch and lake pins by Arlington Heights
- Des Plaines River Dam No. 2 Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch, 5 miles
- Des Plaines River Allison Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch, 5 miles
- Busse Lake Main Pool Boat RampBusse Lake (FPDCC), launch, 5 miles
- Busse Lake South Pool Boat RampBusse Lake (FPDCC), launch, 5 miles
- Beck Lake Boat RampBeck Lake (FPDCC), launch, 6 miles
- Big Bend Lake Boat RampBig Bend Lake – FPDCC, launch, 6 miles
- Des Plaines River Northwestern Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch, 7 miles
- Opeka Lake Boat RampOpeka Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch, 7 miles
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.
Borrow fishing gear near Arlington Heights
| Site | Address | Phone | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Special Rec. Assoc. | 3000 W. Central Road, Ste. 205, Rolling Meadows | (847) 392-2848 | 3 miles |
| Birchwood Park Salmon Shop/Palatine Park District | 250 E. Wood Street, Palatine | (847) 705-5123 | 3 miles |
| River Trail Nature Center | 3120 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Northbrook | (847) 824-8360 | 5 miles |
| Des Plaines Pk. District | 515 E. Thacker, Des Plaines | (847) 391-5711 | 6 miles |
Each site on the list lends tackle at no cost.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Crawlers, jigs and guides near Arlington Heights
The closest tackle aisles to Arlington Heights
- Dick's Sporting Goods Arlington Heightssporting goods store, Arlington Heights, under a mile
- Anglers International Resourcesfly shop, Palatine, 3 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Schaumburgsporting goods store, Schaumburg, 5 miles
- Lee's Bait & Tackle, 23 Arlington Heights Rdbait and tackle shop, Elk Grove Village, 5 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Deer Parksporting goods store, Deer Park, 6 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Glenviewsporting goods store, Glenview, 8 miles
- South Bend Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Northbrook, 8 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Vernon Hillssporting goods store, Vernon Hills, 10 miles
Charter captains within reach of Arlington Heights
- 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
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings (miles only for shops with an exact point); guide and charter association pages; read November 4, 2026.
Club and school events near Arlington Heights
| 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 for events in Cook County or within 20 miles, checked November 2026.
Big Illinois fish landed near Arlington Heights
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Redhorse | hook and line | 6 lbs 11.4 oz | Fox River | April 24, 2008 |
| Yellow Bullhead | hook and line | 5 lbs 4 oz | Fox River | Feb. 2, 1955 |
| Atlantic Salmon | hook and line | 18 lbs 11.25 oz | Lake Michigan | May 26, 1979 |
| Brook Trout | hook and line | 7 lbs 5 oz | Lake Michigan | Nov. 3, 1998 |
| Brown Trout | hook and line | 36 lbs 11.5 oz | Lake Michigan | June 22, 1997 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Statewide limits near Arlington Heights
Residents spend $15 on a year of fishing here, and anglers from away spend $31.50. Add the $6.50 Salmon Stamp before taking a coho, chinook or trout from the lakefront.
| 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 |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Lake and river pages print any site-specific digest entry.
A few miles of blacktop from Arlington Heights
Town pages near Arlington Heights
- Rolling Meadows3 miles
- Prospect Heights3 miles
- Mount Prospect3 miles
- Palatine3 miles
- Wheeling4 miles
The county surrounding Arlington Heights
- Cook Countyseat: Chicago
Piscifun tackle to load up before Arlington Heights
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Fish to recognise on sight at Arlington Heights
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
A fishing stay around Arlington Heights, cleared up
Which lake on this site is closest to Arlington Heights?
Busse Lake (FPDCC), 5 miles south.
Which mapped launch is the quickest run from Arlington Heights?
Des Plaines River Dam No. 2 Woods Canoe/Kayak Launch, about 5 miles.
Where can a Arlington Heights angler fish from a pier?
The nearest IDNR pier is past 15 miles.
Where does Arlington Heights buy nightcrawlers?
Dick's Sporting Goods Arlington Heights, a under a mile drive.
On which county page does Arlington Heights appear?
It lies in Cook County.
What does IDNR charge a visitor staying in Arlington Heights?
Out-of-state anglers buy the $31.50 nonresident annual from IDNR. Lake Michigan trout need the Salmon Stamp as well.
Which big lake is in range of Arlington Heights?
Beck Lake (FPDCC) lists about 37 acres and lies 6 miles off.
Which other Illinois towns sit a short drive from Arlington Heights?
Nearby towns are Rolling Meadows (3 miles), Prospect Heights (3 miles) and Mount Prospect (3 miles).
Is there free loaner tackle in Arlington Heights?
Northwest Special Rec. Assoc., 3 miles away.
When is the next take-off on water near Arlington Heights?
3 events on organizer pages near here, each one already weighed in.
Did an IDNR record fish come from near Arlington Heights?
Silver Redhorse, 6 lbs 11.4 oz, April 24, 2008 (hook and line), from Fox River.
Which lakefront launch is nearest Arlington Heights?
Lake Michigan Park Avenue Boating Canoe/Kayak Launch, 12 miles away.
Plan an Illinois fishing trip from Arlington Heights
Lake pages list launches, IDNR ratings and site rules.