FPDCC Fishing Regulations

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County works within the Illinois Department of Conservation to provide quality hook and lin fishing. Nearly all State rules and regulations hold true for fishing int the preserves. One exception is that bow and arrow fishing for rough fish is not permitted in the preserves. Also all waters in the forest preserves are designated FISH PRESERVES — fishermen are limited to two lines with no more than two hooks per line and no trolley lines.

A valid Illinois hook and line fishing license is required except for persons that are under 16, disabled or blind. In addtion, anyone required to have a valid fishing license must have a State Inland Trout Stamp when fishing for trout within the Forest Preserve District trout lakes.

There are no State regulations on daily limits, length limits and closed seasons concerning fishes found in forest preserve water, excluding five exceptions. These are: no more than 6 largemouth bass, walleye or channel catfish, regardless of size, may be taken in one day; no more than 3 northern pike may be taken in one day (and these must be 24 inches long, or longer); and no more than 5 trout may be taken in one day. Trout season is closed from March 15 to the first Saturday in April and from October 1 to the third Saturday in October. Use of minnow seine is not allowed except in the Des Plaines River for bait collecting.

Special Forest Preserve Regulations regarding size limits on bass and walleye are also imposed on designated waters of the District, and these special rules will be so posted. These experimental regulations are to prevent the excessive removal of undersized bass and walleye, and to improve the fishing thru protection of our major predator fish. We ask the fishing public to respect and obey these regulations on lakes so posted.

Ice Fishing is permitted on designated District lakes on a FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK basis. Ice conditions are not monitored by the District. Ice fishermen should check ice thickness before going out on any frozen body of water. A minimum of four inches of solid ice over the entire lake is recommended before individuals attempt ice fishing.