Fishing near Cicero, Illinois
Cook County, population 85,268.
- 10 milesto nearest lake page
- 8launches nearby
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Fishing near Cicero
85,268 people lived in the town of Cicero in Cook County at the 2020 count. About 10 miles west lies Mays Lake, closer than any other lake page. Maple Lake (FPDCC) spreads over about 60 acres, more than any lake nearby. A 3 miles drive gets a boat to Des Plaines River Stoney Ford Canoe/Kayak Launch.
Lake Michigan Burnham Harbor Boat Ramp puts a boat on Lake Michigan 8 miles from town. Free loaner tackle is 2 miles off at Build Chicago.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Cicero; miles are straight lines.
The nearest lakes to downtown Cicero
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mays Lake | 10 miles west | 15 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Trinity Lake | 10 miles west | 18 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill | |
| Maple Lake (FPDCC) | 11 miles southwest | 60 | lake | 0 | ||
| Green Lake (FPDDC) | 12 miles northwest | 9 | 10 ft | lake | 0 | channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Axehead Lake (FPDCC) | 13 miles northwest | 17 | 31 ft | lake | 0 | northern pike, bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Grove Lake | 13 miles northwest | 9 | 30 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill |
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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The lakefront gives Lake Michigan near Cicero 11 harbors on the IDNR Lake Michigan page and 11 stocked lagoons.
- Lake Michigan Burnham Harbor Boat Rampfee noted, 8 miles
- Lake Michigan 31st Street Beach Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch, 8 miles
- Lake Michigan 12th Street Beach Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch, 8 miles
- Lake Michigan 31st Street Harbor Boat Rampfee noted, 8 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 near Cicero
- Chicago River7 miles, 8 USGS gauges
- North Branch Chicago River7 miles, 5 IDNR-mapped ramps, 2 USGS gauges
- Calumet River14 miles, 1 USGS gauge
Stream gauges around Cicero
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal At Stickney, Il | -1.94 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 pm |
| Des Plaines River At Riverside, Il | 327 cfs, 2.16 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:45 pm |
| Des Plaines River At Lyons, Il | 10.22 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 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.
Plotted lakes and launches around Cicero
- Des Plaines River Stoney Ford Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch, 3 miles
- Des Plaines River Schuth's Grove Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch, 3 miles
- Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Daley Park Boat RampChicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, IDNR note: Fee required to launch, 4 miles
- Des Plaines River Plank Road Meadow Boat RampDes Plaines River, launch, 4 miles
- Salt Creek Brookfield Canoe/Kayak LaunchSalt Creek, launch, 4 miles
- Des Plaines River Maywood Grove Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch, 5 miles
- South Branch Chicago River Park 571 Canoe/Kayak LaunchSouth Branch Chicago River, launch, 5 miles
- Salt Creek 26th Street Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchSalt Creek, launch, 5 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.
Loaner tackle around Cicero
| Site | Address | Phone | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build Chicago | 5100 W. Harrison Street, Chicago | (872) 813-2675 | 2 miles |
| Douglass Park Branch – Chicago Public Library | 3353 W. 13th Street, Chicago | (312) 747-3725 | 3 miles |
| Legler Regional Library – Chicago Public Library | 115 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago | (312) 746-7730 | 3 miles |
| McKinley Branch – Chicago Public Library | 1915 W. 35th Street, Chicago | (312) 747-6082 | 5 miles |
The IDNR loaner program puts free rods at these places.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Where Cicero anglers pick up crawlers
Tackle counters nearest Cicero
- Forest View Marinamarina, Cicero, 2 miles
- R & B Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Chicago, 2 miles
- MidWest Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Lyons, 4 miles
- Hook & Fishbait and tackle shop, Chicago, 6 miles
- Marina Leasing Incmarina, Chicago, 6 miles
- Canal Street Marinamarina, Chicago, 6 miles
- The Henry Palmisano Memorial Fishing Foundationbait and tackle shop, Chicago, 6 miles
- Wentworth Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Chicago, 7 miles
Booked fishing trips near Cicero
- 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.
Weigh-ins near Cicero
| 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.
The record book near Cicero
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Burbot | hook and line | 11 lbs 12.5 oz | Lake Michigan | Dec. 7, 2020 |
| Chinook Salmon | hook and line | 37 lbs 0 oz | Lake Michigan | Aug. 7, 1976 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Limits on a trip from Cicero
The 2026 IDNR fee list puts the annual license at $15 for Illinoisans and $31.50 for out-of-staters. For Lake Michigan salmon or trout, IDNR adds a $6.50 stamp to 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 |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Lake and river pages print any site-specific digest entry.
Around the Cicero shoreline
More bases close to Cicero
- Berwyn2 miles
- Stickney2 miles
- Riverside3 miles
- Forest Park3 miles
- Oak Park3 miles
County guide that includes Cicero
- Cook Countyseat: Chicago
Piscifun picks ahead of a trip to Cicero
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A photo field guide to Cicero fish
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Richard Hurd, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Questions for a Cicero motel stay with a boat in tow
Which IFishIllinois lake is nearest Cicero?
Mays Lake, 10 miles west.
How far must a Cicero boat be towed to a ramp?
Des Plaines River Stoney Ford Canoe/Kayak Launch, roughly 3 miles out.
What shore spot is closest to Cicero?
IDNR piers all lie beyond 15 miles.
Which listed store near Cicero has tackle?
Forest View Marina, a 2 miles drive.
Which county seat serves Cicero?
Cook County.
What does a year of fishing cost near Cicero?
Budget $31.50 for a year of Illinois fishing as a nonresident. Keeping lakefront trout or salmon needs a Salmon Stamp too.
Which lake near Cicero has the most acres?
Maple Lake (FPDCC) lists about 60 acres and lies 11 miles off.
Which other Illinois towns could host a Cicero trip?
Try Berwyn (2 miles), Stickney (2 miles) and Riverside (3 miles).
Which library near Cicero lends fishing gear?
Build Chicago, 2 miles away.
Do any bass trails weigh in close to Cicero?
3 events on organizer pages near here, each one already weighed in.
Does water near Cicero show up on the IDNR record list?
Atlantic Salmon, 18 lbs 11.25 oz, May 26, 1979 (hook and line), from Lake Michigan.
Is Lake Michigan fishing close to Cicero?
Lake Michigan Burnham Harbor Boat Ramp, 8 miles away.
Choose your water close to Cicero
Check a water's digest entry before keeping fish.