Best Ice Fishing Lakes in Illinois
Illinois may be best known for its lakefront city of Chicago, one of the most cosmopolitan metro areas in the world. But The Prairie State is also a place of many natural wonders.
With Lake Michigan to the north and the mighty Mississippi River to its west, Illinois is a land bordered by water. But there are also plenty of bodies of water inland. Illinois has:
- 2,900 lakes
- 84,000 ponds
- 3 man-made reservoirs
All this water adds up to four seasons of good fishing. When winter hits and the temperatures drop, there is amazing ice fishing throughout the state. The key is knowing where these treasured spots are. There’s no need to guess, these are the best ice fishing lakes in Illinois.
1. Chain O’ Lakes
Technically speaking, this Illinois ice fishing hotspot is not one, but over a dozen fishable locations that are all connected to each other. The Fox Chain of Lakes, known as the Chain O’ Lakes among locals, is a system of 15 lakes and 45 miles of river located in the northeast corner of Illinois.
The Chain O’ Lakes is one of the most popular inland waterways in the entire state, with upwards of 100,000 visitors per day during peak times. Here are some interesting facts about the Chain O’ Lakes:
- The entire Chain O’ Lakes is navigable by boat, thanks to the Fox River and man-made channels connecting the lakes.
- The entire system covers 7,000 acres.
- The largest lakes in the Chain O’ Lakes are Fox Lake and Pistakee Lake, at 1,700 acres each, and Grass Lake, which has a surface area of 1,350 acres.
- The Chain O’ Lakes is only an hour’s drive from Chicago, making it highly accessible to millions of people all year round.
The Chain O’ Lakes aren’t just a scenic place to get away and enjoy the great outdoors, they’re also a prime location for epic fishing.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Chain O’ Lakes
Illinois has a relatively short ice fishing season compared to other states in the Great Lakes region, such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Favorable ice conditions don’t really get going until well into January and by March, the ice is already starting to melt off.
Some of the best ice fishing in Illinois can be found in the Chain O’ Lakes and being able to move from lake to lake gives you plenty of options. There are reportedly 37 different fish species in the 15 bodies of water making up the Chain O’ Lakes. These are a few popular fish you can target:
- Muskies can be found at depths of 10 to 20 feet, depending on which lake you’re ice fishing, and jigging with plastic baits works well in the winter.
- Crappie is another species that is abundant throughout the Chain O’ Lakes. During the winter months, target them near the cribs (structures built for water pumping) 15 to 20 feet offshore. Jigging with worms is a good way to go.
- Walleye is a favorite among anglers throughout the Great Lakes region. Here at Chain O’ Lakes, jigging with spoons at depths of around 20 feet is a proven strategy. While you’re jigging for walleye, don’t be surprised if you end up with a yellow perch or white bass on your line.
- Bluegill are also abundant in these waters if you know where to look for them. Stick with shallow areas, like the south shore of Channel Lake, and jig with small artificial bait. A slow, methodical motion will draw more strikes when the bluegill aren’t cooperating.
If you’re looking for more bang for your buck so to speak, head over to the Chain O’ Lakes. With over a dozen bodies of water, this ice fishing hotspot offers diverse habitats and a variety of fish to target.
2. Lake Milliken
Straight down Interstate 55 from Chicago and Naperville is the Des Plaines Conservation Area, a nature lover’s paradise. As a state-managed Fish and Wildlife Area, an abundance of natural terrain and abundant wildlife can be found. A perfect day trip for people looking to take a break from city life.
It is here that you’ll find Lake Milliken, a modest 25-acre lake that was formed when its area was dug up and the earth was used to construct I-55. From this hole in the ground was born Lake Milliken, one of the premier ice fishing spots in Illinois.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Milliken
Lake Milliken is proof positive that you don’t have to travel to faraway wilderness areas to access great ice fishing. It’s a manageable drive from Chicago, meaning that anglers who live in or near the big city can still put in some time on the ice without sacrificing a ton of time.
These are the types of fish you can expect to catch at Lake Milliken during ice fishing season:
- Channel catfish are stocked every year, making this species one of the top targets at Lake Milliken during ice fishing season. Some channel catfish caught from this semi-urban lake have measured close to 2 feet long.
- Largemouth bass are known to grow over a foot long and weigh more than 4 pounds in Lake Milliken. There are trophy-sized specimens in these waters as well.
- Black and white crappie can also be caught in Lake Milliken with an average length of 7 to 8 inches.
- Other fish species that can be caught from Lake Milliken, but are not as plentiful as others, include bluegill, yellow bass, bullhead, and common carp.
This is a very shallow lake, averaging 4 feet deep in most places and 8 feet at Lake Milliken’s deepest point. It is worth noting that throughout most of the year, fishing is only permitted from shore. As a result, the fish are protected from overfishing and there is a lot of action left for ice anglers.
3. Mazonia Fish and Wildlife Area
Sometimes you can find prime locations for outdoor activities in the unlikeliest of places. Located about an hour’s drive from Chicago, Mazonia Fish and Wildlife Area is a complex of small lakes (technically, they are impoundments) ranging in size from 1/4 acre to 150 acres.
What’s interesting about Mazonia FWA is that it was repurposed into a fishery and wildlife preserve from land that was formerly used for coal strip mining. The previous mining activity resulted in deep pits and jagged terrain. Once filled with water and stocked with fish, this created an angler’s paradise.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Mazonia Fish and Wildlife Area
All told, there are more than 200 so-called impoundments making up the Mazonia Fish and Wildlife Area. While the smaller ones are fairly shallow, the larger bodies have maximum depths exceeding 60 feet with sharp drop-offs.
Mazonia Fish and Wildlife Area is split into two sections, the North Unit and the South Unit:
- North Unit – there are 10 main lakes in the North Unit, including Bass Lake, Goose Lake, and Bullhead Lake. The most common fish species are crappie, gar, bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish.
- South Unit – many anglers consider the lakes of the South Unit to offer better ice fishing. Prime locations include Long Lake, Monster Lake, Eagle Lake, and Ponderosa Lake. Crappie, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and channel catfish are the most popular species to target here.
Many of the lakes at Mazonia Fish and Wildlife Area are deep with steep bottoms. Because of this, they tend to freeze over later in the season than other lakes. If you’re planning to visit the North or South Unit of Mazonia Fish and Wildlife Area for some ice fishing, be sure to check current ice conditions.
4. (Upper) Mississippi River
When you think of America’s great rivers, the Mississippi River is the first to come to mind. The Mississippi River is often associated with commerce and economic growth. Its flowing waters allowed cargo and people to move from one place to another with ease, and cities sprang up along its banks.
But the long story of the Mississippi River begins in the north. This may come as a surprise, but the mighty Mississippi River runs all along the western border of Illinois. And it’s in the Mississippi’s large pools and backwater areas that you’ll find some of the best ice fishing in the entire state.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at (Upper) Mississippi River
The portion of the Mississippi River originating in Minnesota, weaving between Wisconsin and Iowa, and winding down the western border of Illinois is known as the Upper Mississippi. A series of dams and locks constructed throughout the Upper Mississippi River has formed a number of reservoirs.
It is in these reservoirs, or pools as they are commonly known, that a combined 200,000 acres of fishable waters have been made accessible to anglers. In the winter months, some of the best ice fishing in Illinois can be found here. Notable fish species in the Upper Mississippi include:
- If crappie (white or black) is your game, head to pools 12 through 15 and drop your line to a depth of 5 feet or so. Minnows and artificial worms work well.
- Pools 12 through 15 are also great for bluegill. Work the shallows with wax worms.
- White bass is another top target during ice fishing season on the Upper Mississippi River. This species prefers deeper water of 15 feet or more and finds minnows and artificial lures simply irresistible.
- Another abundant species in the pools of the Upper Mississippi is walleye. Some of the largest specimens (up to 10 pounds) are caught through the ice during the winter months. Lead head jigs tipped with minnows is a winning setup.
- Other popular species in these pools include largemouth bass, freshwater drum, channel catfish, and carp.
You wouldn’t think that some of the best ice fishing lakes would be found on the Mississippi River, but the reservoirs and pools on the western border of Illinois prove that with the Mighty Mississippi, anything is possible.
5. Shabbona Lake
Located west of Chicago, Shabbona Lake is a fishing destination like no other. This is a manmade lake, but unlike other artificial lakes which are the result of mining, construction, or utility projects, Shabbona Lake was created with just one purpose in mind – fishing.
Shabbona Lake measures 319 acres and sits within a 1,550-acre state recreation area. There is abundant wildlife at this site, including waterfowl and birds, along with all sorts of native vegetation. But as far as the lake itself, it’s all about the fish.
Shabbona Lake was created in the 1970s as a haven for anglers from far and wide. Careful planning went into developing the lake as a unique habitat where different types of fish can thrive. Some of the things that have been done by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources include:
- Placing 47 fish cribs into the lake
- Submerging 3 major vegetation mounds
- Leaving existing trees as the lake was filled
- Sinking tons of gravel and rock to the lake bottom
- Adding brush to create additional fish habitats
The builders of Shabbona Lake have gone to great lengths to create an incredible environment where fish can live and grow under ideal conditions. There is even a submerged bridge in the lake providing cover for the many species that call Shabbona Lake home.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Shabbona Lake
Although Shabbona Lake was developed with year-round fishing in mind, there is something special about cutting a hole in the ice and dropping a line during the winter months. But because of this lake’s unique underwater features, local knowledge is the key to success.
Before heading out, get your hands on a topographic map of the lake. Better yet, an underwater camera or fish finder can make a huge difference. If you’re out early enough in the season, the ice and water may be clear enough to make out submerged structures and vegetation where fish like to hang out.
These are the top targets to aim for:
- Crappie is consistently on the wish list for many who fish here in the winter. Minnows rigged with bobbers dropped to around 7 feet is a good way to go. Shabbona Lake has produced crappie of record sizes, and this keeps eager anglers coming back year after year.
- Bluegill is another popular species at Shabbona Lake, and at 9 to 10 inches, they put up a good fight if you’re lucky enough to hook one.
- Largemouth and smallmouth bass need a bit more patience but they’re well worth the effort if you’re successful. The trick is setting the hook, especially when smallmouth bass bite. Wait past the initial strike and set the hook after the fish swims away for a bit.
It’s probably every angler’s dream to fish at a lake where they’re not competing against boaters and swimmers on the water. Shabbona Lake turns that dream into reality and ice fishing here is truly the experience of a lifetime.
Conclusion
Illinois is known for many things. Four U.S. Presidents hailed from Illinois – Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama. Its most well-known city, Chicago, is the third-largest metropolis in the nation. And deep-dish pizza was made famous here.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you can add ice fishing to that list. Some of the best spots for dropping a line through the ice are located in Illinois. With dozens of species to fish for across the state, Illinois is a true haven for ice fishing.
SOURCES:
https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/cdhabitatmain/cdhabitatlakesponds.html
https://www.visitlakecounty.org/blog/1786/
https://www.northlandtackle.com/fox-chain-of-lakes-il/
https://www.ifishillinois.org/profiles/waterbody.php?waternum=00057
https://testbed.ifishillinois.org/ssr/00057.pdf
https://www.ifishillinois.org/profiles/waterbody.php?waternum=04218
https://www.ifishillinois.org/profiles/waterbody.php?waternum=04245
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/publications/documents/00000179.pdf
https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.shabbonalake.html
https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/fishing_icefishing-fishing_il_aa011504a/243408
