Canoeing, Rowboating, Sailboating

The following District lakes are those waters where one or more types of watercraft are permitted: canoes, rowboats, or sailboats. Only electric motors are permitted.

• Big Bend Lake -- Golf Rd. and E. River Rd. Private sailboats, rowboats, and canoes. Launch ramp.
• Busse Lake -- S. side of Higgins Rd. and 1/4 mi. east of I-290. Two launch ramps for private sailboats, rowboats, and canoes. Rental of sailboats, rowboats, and canoes.
• E.J Beck Lake -- Central Rd. and E. River Rd. Private sailboats, row boats and canoes. Launch ramp.
• Maple Lake -- Rowboat rental only. 95th St. W. of Willow Springs Rd.
• Powderhorn Lake -- Brainard and Burnham Ave., Private sailboat, rowboats and canoes.
• Saganashkee Slough -- 107th between Rt. 83 and Willow Springs Rd. Private rowboats and canoes on lake only from May 15 through Sept. 30.
• Skokie Lagoons -- (Erickson Preserve) -- Private sailboats, rowboats and canoes. Launch ramp at Tower Road Parking area.
• Tampier Lake -- Wolf Rd and 131st. Private rowboats and canoes -- also rowboat rental. No boats permitted north of 131st St. Boat launch ramp south off 131st St.
• Turtlehead Lake -- Harlem Ave., 1/4 mi. south of 135th St. Sailboats only.

Motor Boating -- Launching Ramps

Power boating is permitted on the Des Plaines and Calumet Rivers only. Two launching ramps available.

• Little Calumet Boating Center -- East side of Ashland on S. bank of Little Calumet River at 134th St.
• Plank Rd. Boat Center -- Ogden Ave., E. of 1st Ave.

Fishing Areas

More than 36 District lakes, ponds, and sloughs are intensively managed for hook-and-line fishing. A Fishing Guide with depth contour maps of the major lakes is available upon request.

All State of Illinois fishing regulations apply to the District waters -- a fishing license is required for persons over 16 years of age, unless disabled or blind.

All waters of the District are designated Fish Preserves -- only two poles with no more than two hooks per pole per person. No bow and arrow fishing for rough fishes is permitted.

No closed seasons, length limits or daily limits on fishes except:

• Largemouth and Smallmouth bass -- no more than 6 per day -- 14".
• Northern pike -- no more than 3 per day -- 24" or longer.
• Rainbow trout -- no more than 5 per day -- any size.
• Channel Catfish -- no more than 6 per day -- any size.
• Walleye -- no more than 6 per day -- 18" or longer.

Special size limits on Largemouth bass on posted waters.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is permitted at designated lakes and ponds only. Four inches of solid ice is required before an Area will be opened. Information about ice fishing areas is available upon request.

Source of this page: Cook County Forest Preserve District, Cook County, Illinois.

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