Skokie Lagoons

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 14

The Skokie Lagoons are a premier fishing destination located in Glencoe and Winnetka, Illinois, managed by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. This 894-acre system consists of seven interconnected lagoons created from what was once a vast marsh known to the Potawatomi as "Chewab Skokie" meaning "big, wet prairie." Between 1933 and 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps transformed this area into the artificial lagoons we see today, excavating four million cubic yards of earth. The lagoons span 242 acres of water with an average depth of 5.5 feet and a maximum depth of 14.9 feet, providing excellent habitat for a diverse fish population in a scenic setting just north of Chicago.

Illinois licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Skokie Lagoons and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Orangespotted Sunfish

Lepomis humilis

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Sauger

Sander canadensis

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Walleye12,960 fish · 2.0 in2026
Northern Pike975 fish · 9.0 in2026
Channel Catfish5,010 fish · 5.5 in2026
Walleye10,660 fish · 2.0 in2025
Northern Pike968 fish · 9.0 in2025

Source

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Skokie Lagoons. 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.

Skokie Lagoons Watershed Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on Skokie Lagoons

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Take Skokie Lagoons 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 Skokie Lagoons to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Skokie Lagoons 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.