Fishing near Des Plaines, Illinois
Cook County, population 60,675.
- 2 milesto nearest lake page
- 8launches nearby
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Lakes and rivers around Des Plaines
Census 2020 figures give Des Plaines, a city of Cook County, 60,675 residents. Belleau Lake (FPDCC) is the closest lake with a page, about 2 miles to the east. Nearby, Beck Lake (FPDCC) is the size leader at about 37 acres. The shortest tow to a launch is under a mile, to Des Plaines River Northwestern Woods Canoe/Kayak Launch.
From here, Lake Michigan Lloyd Park Canoe/Kayak Launch on Lake Michigan is 10 miles away. The closest loaner rods are at Des Plaines Pk. District, under a mile out.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Des Plaines; miles are straight lines.
Lakes near Des Plaines
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belleau Lake (FPDCC) | 2 miles east | 12 | 32 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
| Axehead Lake (FPDCC) | 3 miles southeast | 17 | 31 ft | lake | 0 | northern pike, bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Beck Lake (FPDCC) | 3 miles northeast | 37 | 19 ft | lake | 1 | northern pike, bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Busse Lake (FPDCC) | 6 miles west | 19 ft | lake | 2 | bluegill, walleye, muskellunge | |
| Grove Lake | 7 miles southwest | 9 | 30 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill |
| Songbird Lake | 8 miles southwest | 14 | 19 ft | lake | 0 | yellow 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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On Lake Michigan, Lake Michigan near Des Plaines offers 11 harbors from the IDNR page and 11 lagoons that IDNR stocks.
- Lake Michigan Lloyd Park Canoe/Kayak Launchfee noted, 10 miles
- Lake Michigan Gillson Park Canoe/Kayak Launchfee noted, 12 miles
- Lake Michigan Northwestern Sailing Center Canoe/Kayak Launchfee noted, 12 miles
- Lake Michigan Greenwood Beach Canoe/Kayak Launchfee noted, 12 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.
Creeks within a county drive of Des Plaines
- Skokie River8 miles, 2 USGS gauges
Current streamflow near Des Plaines
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines R At Algonquin Rd At Des Plaines, Il | 123 cfs, 7.95 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 pm |
| Weller Creek At Des Plaines, Il | 2 cfs, 0.79 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 pm |
| Des Plaines River Near Des Plaines, Il | 2 cfs, 8.27 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:45 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.
Pins on a map near Des Plaines
- Des Plaines River Northwestern Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch, under a mile
- Opeka Lake Boat RampOpeka Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch, 1 mile
- Big Bend Lake Boat RampBig Bend Lake – FPDCC, launch, 2 miles
- Beck Lake Boat RampBeck Lake (FPDCC), launch, 3 miles
- Des Plaines River Dam No. 2 Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch, 3 miles
- Des Plaines River Allison Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch, 5 miles
- North Branch Chicago River Linne Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchNorth Branch Chicago River, launch, 6 miles
- Busse Lake Main Pool Boat RampBusse Lake (FPDCC), launch, 6 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.
Free loaner rods near Des Plaines
| Site | Address | Phone | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines Pk. District | 515 E. Thacker, Des Plaines | (847) 391-5711 | under a mile |
| Wildwood Nature Center/Park Ridge Park District | 2701 W. Sibley Avenue, Park Ridge | (847) 692-5127 | 2 miles |
| Maine Township Office | 1700 Ballard Road, Park Ridge | (847) 297-2510 | 3 miles |
| River Trail Nature Center | 3120 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Northbrook | (847) 824-8360 | 4 miles |
Free gear through IDNR: borrow a rod, return it after the trip.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Minnow tanks and tackle around Des Plaines
Hooks and line near Des Plaines
- Lee's Bait & Tackle, 23 Arlington Heights Rdbait and tackle shop, Elk Grove Village, 4 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Glenviewsporting goods store, Glenview, 5 miles
- Corens Rod & Reel Servicebait and tackle shop, Chicago, 6 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Arlington Heightssporting goods store, Arlington Heights, 6 miles
- Bentley Fishing USA Expodexbait and tackle shop, Bensenville, 6 miles
- Fishtechbait and tackle shop, Morton Grove, 7 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Schaumburgsporting goods store, Schaumburg, 7 miles
- South Bend Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Northbrook, 7 miles
Hiring a guide from Des Plaines
- 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.
Competition calendar near Des Plaines
| 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.
Record weights from water around Des Plaines
| 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.
Keeper rules for a Des Plaines outing
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 |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Lake and river pages print any site-specific digest entry.
Inside a cornfield drive of Des Plaines
Other towns around Des Plaines
- Mount Prospect3 miles
- Park Ridge3 miles
- Rosemont3 miles
- Niles5 miles
- Prospect Heights5 miles
County fishing page around Des Plaines
- Cook Countyseat: Chicago
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Des Plaines
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Timber, cornfield and water around Des Plaines through a lens
Photo: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Alan Light, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Charles Fulton, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Brian Plunkett, CC BY 2.0
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Rods in the trunk, staying in Des Plaines: answers
Which Illinois lake is the short hop from Des Plaines?
Belleau Lake (FPDCC), 2 miles east.
How far is Des Plaines from a public ramp?
Des Plaines River Northwestern Woods Canoe/Kayak Launch, under a mile away.
Which IDNR pier is nearest Des Plaines?
None within 15 miles on the IDNR inventory.
Which IDNR-listed vendor or bait store is nearest Des Plaines?
Lee's Bait & Tackle, a 4 miles drive.
Inside which Illinois county line is Des Plaines?
Cook County; its county page maps every IDNR launch.
Which IDNR license suits a Des Plaines weekend?
A nonresident annual Illinois license costs $31.50 in 2026. The lakefront adds a Salmon Stamp for trout and salmon.
Which lake near Des Plaines gives a boat the most room?
Beck Lake (FPDCC) lists about 37 acres and lies 3 miles off.
Which Prairie State towns flank Des Plaines?
Closest: Mount Prospect (3 miles), Park Ridge (3 miles) and Rosemont (3 miles).
Where is the closest IDNR loaner site to Des Plaines?
Des Plaines Pk. District, under a mile away.
What weigh-ins take place on water by Des Plaines?
3 events on organizer pages near here, each one already weighed in.
Which record entries name water around Des Plaines?
Atlantic Salmon, 18 lbs 11.25 oz, May 26, 1979 (hook and line), from Lake Michigan.
Can I launch on Lake Michigan near Des Plaines?
Lake Michigan Lloyd Park Canoe/Kayak Launch, 10 miles away.
Base in Des Plaines and fish every dawn
Click any lake or river above for its own guide.