Fishing near Waukegan, Illinois
Lake County, population 89,321.
- 2 milesto nearest lake page
- 8launches nearby
Pick for largemouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Fishing within a tank of gas of Waukegan
Waukegan is a city in Lake County with 89,321 residents at the 2020 Census. Go south roughly 2 miles to reach Pulaski Lake (LCFPD), the nearest lake guide. Top of the table by surface: Independence Grove Lake (LCFPD), near 110 acres. Trailers can splash at Des Plaines River Gowe Park Canoe/Kayak Launch on Lake Carina (LCFPD), about 2 miles away.
Lake Michigan launches start 2 miles away at Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Boat Ramp. Pier fishing waits at Ada Fishing Pier on Sand Pond (IBSP) (south), roughly 7 miles from town.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Waukegan; miles are straight lines.
Park ponds and reservoirs ringing Waukegan
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulaski Lake (LCFPD) | 2 miles south | 6 | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill | |
| Lake Carina (LCFPD) | 3 miles west | 23 | 21 ft | lake | 2 | bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Des Plaines Lake (LCFPD) | 4 miles northwest | 19 | lake | 1 | channel catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie | |
| Independence Grove Lake (LCFPD) | 6 miles southwest | 110 | 50 ft | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie |
| Valley Lake | 6 miles west | lake | 0 | channel catfish, common carp, bluegill | ||
| Old School Pond (LCFPD) | 7 miles south | 7 | pond | 2 | largemouth bass, channel catfish, 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.
For the largemouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 The big lake close to Waukegan
Lake Michigan near Waukegan fronts Lake Michigan, where IDNR lists 11 harbors with public bank fishing and 11 stocked park lagoons.
- Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Boat Rampfee noted, 2 miles
- Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch, 2 miles
- Lake Michigan Illinois Beach SP South Unit Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch, 5 miles
- Lake Michigan Sunrise Park Canoe/Kayak Launchfee noted, 7 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 Waukegan city limits
USGS gauges near Waukegan
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee, Il | 115 cfs, 2.04 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:30 pm |
| Mill Creek At Old Mill Creek, Il | 30 cfs, 6.54 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 pm |
| Des Plaines River At Russell, Il | 53 cfs, 4.08 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:30 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 Waukegan
- Des Plaines River Gowe Park Canoe/Kayak Launch on Lake Carina (LCFPD)Lake Carina (LCFPD), launch, 2 miles
- Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Boat RampLake Michigan, IDNR note: Fee required to launch, 2 miles
- Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Canoe/Kayak LaunchLake Michigan, IDNR note: Beach launch, 2 miles
- Lake Carina Car-Top Boat LaunchLake Carina (LCFPD), launch, 3 miles
- Des Plaines River Wadsworth Road Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines Lake (LCFPD), launch, 5 miles
- Lake Michigan Illinois Beach SP South Unit Canoe/Kayak LaunchLake Michigan, IDNR note: Beach launch, 5 miles
- Des Plaines River Independance Grove Canoe/Kayak Launch on Independence Grove Lake (LCFPD)Independence Grove Lake (LCFPD), launch, 6 miles
- Des Plaines River Oak Spring Road Canoe/Kayak Launch on Old School Pond (LCFPD)Old School Pond (LCFPD), launch, 7 miles
Pier rails within a drive of Waukegan
- Ada Fishing Pier on Sand Pond (IBSP) (south)fishing pier, IDNR site: North Point Marina, 7 miles
- Ada Fishing Pier on Sand Pond (IBSP) (north)fishing pier, IDNR site: North Point Marina, 9 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.
Crawlers, jigs and guides near Waukegan
The closest tackle aisles to Waukegan
- Dockside Ice Creammarina, Waukegan, 2 miles
- Musselhead Tacklebait and tackle shop, Beach Park, 4 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Gurneesporting goods store, Gurnee, 4 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Gurneesporting goods store, Gurnee, 5 miles
- Busch's Baitbait and tackle shop, Lake Villa, 7 miles
- Lake Michigan Anglerfly shop, Winthrop Harbor, 8 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Vernon Hillssporting goods store, Vernon Hills, 10 miles
- Triangle Sports & Marinebait and tackle shop, Antioch, 13 miles
Charter captains within reach of Waukegan
- Bear King Fishingcharter, Waukegan, (855) 520-3747
- Booth Fishing Charterscharter, Waukegan, (847) 772-3215
- Jawzon Fishing Charterscharter, Waukegan, (847) 337-0584
- Kristy lynn charterscharter, Waukegan, (847) 553-7129
- Tma Sport Fishing Charterscharter, Waukegan, (847) 736-7150
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 Waukegan
| 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 Lake County or within 20 miles, checked November 2026.
Big Illinois fish landed near Waukegan
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Carp x Goldfish | bow and arrow | 4 lbs 6 oz | Fox Chain O' Lakes | June 6, 2015 |
| 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 |
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 Waukegan
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 Waukegan
Town pages near Waukegan
- Park City2 miles
- Gurnee3 miles
- North Chicago4 miles
- Beach Park5 miles
- Green Oaks5 miles
The county surrounding Waukegan
- Lake Countyseat: Waukegan
Piscifun tackle to load up before Waukegan
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish to recognise on sight at Waukegan
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Alabama Extension, CC0 1.0
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
A fishing stay around Waukegan, cleared up
Which lake on this site is closest to Waukegan?
Pulaski Lake (LCFPD), 2 miles south.
Which mapped launch is the quickest run from Waukegan?
Des Plaines River Gowe Park Canoe/Kayak Launch on Lake Carina (LCFPD), about 2 miles.
Where can a Waukegan angler fish from a pier?
Closest: Ada Fishing Pier on Sand Pond (IBSP) (south), 7 miles.
Where does Waukegan buy nightcrawlers?
Dockside Ice Cream, a 2 miles drive.
On which county page does Waukegan appear?
It lies in Lake County.
What does IDNR charge a visitor staying in Waukegan?
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 Waukegan?
Independence Grove Lake (LCFPD) lists about 110 acres and lies 6 miles off.
Which other Illinois towns sit a short drive from Waukegan?
Nearby towns are Park City (2 miles), Gurnee (3 miles) and North Chicago (4 miles).
When is the next take-off on water near Waukegan?
3 events on organizer pages near here, each one already weighed in.
Did an IDNR record fish come from near Waukegan?
Common Carp x Goldfish, 4 lbs 6 oz, June 6, 2015 (bow and arrow), from Fox Chain O' Lakes.
Which lakefront launch is nearest Waukegan?
Lake Michigan Waukegan Harbor Boat Ramp, 2 miles away.
Plan an Illinois fishing trip from Waukegan
Lake pages list launches, IDNR ratings and site rules.