Pistakee Lake
Pistakee Lake
- Boat Ramps
- 7
- Access Points
- 8
- Species
- 18
Pistakee Lake is the second largest lake in the Fox Chain of Lakes, covering approximately 1,700 acres in northeast Illinois. Located near Pistakee Highlands, this natural lake features nearly 20 miles of shoreline and connects to other lakes in the chain via channels and the Fox River. With varied depths—the lake has an average depth of 6 feet but features deeper holes reaching up to 36 feet in Meyers Bay and Pistakee Bay—it offers diverse fishing opportunities throughout the year. Much of the shoreline is lined with homes and commercial enterprises, making bank fishing access somewhat limited, primarily to resort properties. Pistakee Lake is known for its quality populations of game fish and is a popular destination for anglers in the Chicagoland region.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Pistakee Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Orangespotted Sunfish
Lepomis humilis
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Quillback Carpsucker
Carpiodes cyprinus
Warmouth Sunfish
Lepomis gulosus
White Bass
Morone chrysops
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
Yellow Bass
Morone mississippiensis
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Pistakee Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Pistakee Lake
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Illinois licenses and regulations
Illinois Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Illinois Fishing License
All individuals who are 16 and over are required to have a fishing license. All youth who are below 16 may fish without a license.
Illinois Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Illinois Steam Access Laws
If the waterway is navigable in fact and the streambed is publicly owned, it is most likely fully accessible. If the streambed is privately owned, it is only accessible for navigation, not for hunting, fishing or portage.
Take Pistakee Lake with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Pistakee Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Pistakee Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Pistakee Lake and check the forecast before you go.
NIPPERSINK LAKE AT FOX LAKE, IL
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