Fishing near Elgin, Illinois
Kane County, population 114,797.
- 3 milesto nearest lake page
- 8launches nearby
Pick for crappiePiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Water around Elgin
In 2020, 114,797 people called the city of Elgin (Kane County) home. Big Timber Pond 2 sits around 3 miles toward the northwest, the first lake with a guide. For more room, Northern Harrier Lake covers about 20 acres. The nearest mapped ramp is Fox River Elgin Veterans Memorial Park Canoe/Kayak Launch at 2 miles.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Elgin; miles are straight lines.
Lakes around Elgin
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Timber Pond 2 | 3 miles northwest | 14 ft | pond | 0 | black crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill | |
| Big Timber Pond 1 | 3 miles northwest | 2 | 14 ft | pond | 0 | largemouth bass, black crappie |
| Catfish Pond | 6 miles southeast | 6 | 16 ft | pond | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie |
| Northern Harrier Lake | 7 miles southeast | 20 | 25 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, smallmouth bass, walleye |
| Pickerel Lake | 7 miles southeast | 20 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish | |
| Muskrat Pond | 10 miles southeast | 4 | 25 ft | pond | 0 | channel catfish, bluegill, common carp |
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.
For the crappie herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Creeks and rivers that pass by Elgin
- Fox River12 miles, IFishIllinois page, 49 IDNR-mapped ramps, 12 USGS gauges
USGS stations streaming near Elgin
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Creek At Elgin, Il | 20 cfs, 5.89 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:45 pm |
| Fox River At South Elgin, Il | 1,060 cfs, 12.62 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:45 pm |
| Fox River At South Elgin, Il (tailwater) | 6.60 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.
Map pins for fishing near Elgin
- Fox River Elgin Veterans Memorial Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 2 miles
- Fox River Elgin Kimball Street Dam Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 2 miles
- Fox River Slade Avenue Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 2 miles
- Fox River Elgin Shores FP Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 3 miles
- Fox River Trout Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 3 miles
- Fox River Voyageur Landing FP Boat RampFox River, launch, 3 miles
- Fox River Voyageur Landing Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 3 miles
- Fox River South End Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 4 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.
Gear close to Elgin
Bait stores around Elgin
- SS Minnows Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, South Elgin, 3 miles
- GAT Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Dundee, 5 miles
- Cabela's Hoffman Estatessporting goods store, Hoffman Estates, 6 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Algonquinsporting goods store, Algonquin, 8 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Genevasporting goods store, Geneva, 10 miles
- Lee's Bait & Tackle, 1400 W Army Trail Rdbait and tackle shop, Carol Stream, 10 miles
- Fox 14 Marinamarina, Fox River Grove, 12 miles
- Wacker Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cary, 13 miles
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.
State record water near Elgin
| 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 |
| Common Carp x Goldfish | bow and arrow | 4 lbs 6 oz | Fox Chain O' Lakes | June 6, 2015 |
| 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 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Digest rows for Elgin visitors
A full year of Illinois fishing costs residents $15; visitors from other states pay $31.50.
| 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.
Near Elgin
The next towns from Elgin
- South Elgin3 miles
- Sleepy Hollow4 miles
- West Dundee5 miles
- Gilberts5 miles
- East Dundee6 miles
Elgin within its county guide
- Kane Countyseat: Geneva
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for Elgin
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The ponds and rivers around Elgin, photographed
Photo: Tripp, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Jakes, CC BY 4.0
Photo: D.L, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0
Using Elgin as home base for a fishing trip: replies
How far is Elgin from a paged lake?
Big Timber Pond 2, 3 miles northwest.
Which IDNR launch serves a Elgin boater?
Try Fox River Elgin Veterans Memorial Park Canoe/Kayak Launch, 2 miles.
Where can kids fish off a pier near Elgin?
No mapped pier close by.
Who stocks waxworms and minnows by Elgin?
SS Minnows Bait Shop, a 3 miles drive.
Which county guide takes in Elgin?
Kane County, Illinois.
What will IDNR charge a Elgin visitor to fish?
The visitor annual license runs $31.50, per the IDNR fee list.
Which IDNR lake near Elgin lists the most acres?
Northern Harrier Lake lists about 20 acres and lies 7 miles off.
Which Illinois communities neighbour Elgin?
The nearest are South Elgin (3 miles), Sleepy Hollow (4 miles) and West Dundee (5 miles).
Which record catches came from near Elgin?
Silver Redhorse, 6 lbs 11.4 oz, April 24, 2008 (hook and line), from Fox River.