The Chicago Park District Website
Click on a name to jump to that Park, or scroll down to view all alphabetically.
To view a map of any park, click the thumbnail photo that accompanies each listing.
All maps were made with MapQuest®. To make a custom map complete with directions, go to: www.MapQuest.com.
Auburn Park Lagoon: (back to main listing)
Location:
South Fielding & Winnecona Ave.
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Not Allowed
Columbus Park Lagoon: (back to main listing)
Location:
South Central and Jackson Blvd.
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Not Allowed
Douglas Park
Lagoon: (back
to main listing)
Location:
South California and Roosevelt Rd.
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Not Allowed
Garfield Park Lagoon: (back to main listing)
Location:
Washington Blvd. and Central Park.
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Not Allowed
Humboldt Park Lagoon: (back to main listing)
Location:
Sacramento Blvd. & North Ave.
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Not Allowed
Lincoln Park Lagoon: (back to main listing)
Location:
2021 N. Stockton. Near North Ave. and Lake Shore Drive, next to Diversy Harbor.
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Paddle boat rental during the summer months.
Marquette Park
Lagoon: (back
to main listing)
Location:
Kedzie Ave. between 67th & 71st. The Lagoon encircles the park and Golf course from the Central Park tracks (west) to California (east).
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Northern Pike (True, caught one myself. J.D.)
Pickerel
Bluegill
Crappie
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Not Allowed
McKinley Park Lagoon: (back to main listing)
Location:
37th & Damen
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Not Allowed
Sherman Park Lagoon: (back to main listing)
Location:
52nd & Racine
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Not Allowed
Washington Park Lagoon: (back to main listing)
Location:
East of Martin Luther King Drive & 55th St.
Type of Fish:
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Carp
Boat Info:
Not Allowed.
Park District Fishing Information:
Spring Fishing
Chicago Smelt Fishing – April 1 through April 30, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Always
a favorite family pastime, smelt fishing attracts thousands to Chicago’s
Lakefront each year.
Fishing for Coho Salmon in the spring is another fantastic early-season
fishing opportunity. The fish come close to shore making them readily available
to bank and boat anglers. Spoons, plugs, spinners and bait are all effective
techniques to use to catch these cold-water salmon when many feel they are at
their tastiest. Look to the map section to see some favorite fishing spots.
Boat Fishing
As the summer progresses, salmon and trout move farther out into Lake Michigan.
Boats can be launched from Calumet Park, Jackson Park, and Burnham and Diversey
Harbors, or you can go out with a professional charter boat captain on one of
the many fully equipped charter boats.
Call the Chicago Sportfishing Association, (312) 922-1100 for Charter Boat
information.
Shore Fishing
In addition to harbors and lagoons, many enjoy fishing along the Chicago River
and from the many seawalls, piers and revetment along the lakefront. Perch, Rock
Bass, Largemouth Bass, Carp and Panfish can be caught from spring until fall
when Salmon return. Popular locations include the area along Solidarity Drive,
between the Shedd Aquarium and the Planetarium, 31st St. Pier, Casino Pier
located at 63rd Street Beach and Calumet Park on East 95th Street.
Perch Fishing
Fishing for that delicious little critter (the Perch) has been fantastic the
last few years, and there is no slot limit on size. Hey! Hey! The daily limit is
15. Fish along breakwalls and piers that drop off into deep water. Softshell
crayfish, spikes, minnows, spinners and jigs are all great baits to use. May and
June are prime times. Although the slot is gone,
fishing for Perch is closed from July 1 – July 31.
Snagging Season
Snagging for Chinook and Coho Salmon is permitted in the Lincoln Park Lagoon
from the Fullerton Avenue Bridge to the southern end of the lagoon and in the
Jackson Park Inner and Outer Harbors. Snagging is not allowed at any time within
200 feet of a moored watercraft. Snagging for species other than Salmon is
illegal. Snagging season runs from October 1 to December 31. A fishing license
with a salmon stamp is required.
FISH SPECIES AVAILABLE IN CHICAGO
January to February
Lakefront & Harbors: Perch, Panfish and Trout
March to April
Lakefront and harbors: Coho Salmon and Smelt
Lagoons: Early season Bluegill and Crappie
May to August
Lakefront and Harbors: Perch (except for July), Panfish, Carp, Smallmouth Bass
Lagoons: Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass (The Illinois Department
of Natural Resources stocks the lagoons with 33,000 Bluegill in May, and 30,000
pounds of Catfish, about 12,500 individual fish, in June, July and August.
September to December
Lakefront and Harbors: King and Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Steelhead and Perch
Lagoons: Bluegill and Channel Catfish, mainly in September and October
Mayor Daley’s Fish ‘N Kids Program – Bait & Tackle Shop Partnerships
The partnership and cooperation of these bait and tackle shops, located
throughout Chicago, is crucial to the city’s fishing programs. Each
establishment carries information on all Mayor Daley’s Fishing Programs, Events
and Contests. Most importantly, they also know where the fish are biting and on
what.
Henry’s Sports and Bait, 3130 S. Canal, (312) 225-8538
Floyd’s Bait, 8 S. Cicero, (773) 378-6500
Jim’s Bait, 2322 ½ E. 75th St., (773) 978-6596
Park Bait Company, 600 W. Montrose, (773) 271-2838
Scottie’s Bait Shop, 1442 S. Pulaski, (773) 277-1622
Superior Sports Store, 4001 W. Montrose, (773) 545-4044
Vet’s Live Bait, 10150 S. Indianapolis Blvd., (773) 734-6720