Fishing

Fishing on Crystal Lake

West Beach Walk-In Fishing Key Fob

Available and valid Apr 1, 2026-Mar 31, 2027

Park District Residents Only

Fee: $35

Replacement Key Fob: $10

The Park District offers walk-in gate keys to residents who wish to fish at West Park before and after normal park hours. Watercraft and boats of any size are not permitted through the walk-in gate; they must enter via the boat launch gate. Important: Daily admission fees apply to the key holders and their guests if they wish to use the beach and/or swimming areas at West Beach.

Crystal Lake Park District Fishing Ordinance 11.17

Fine: $50/$75 per fish

Wading into any Park District body of water, other than Crystal Lake, to fish is prohibited. Fishing is allowed from shore or piers installed for the purpose of fishing.

Species	Limitations
All Fish	3 Poles and Line Fishing Only
Channel Catfish	6 Fish Daily Creel Limit
Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass	18" Minimum Length, 1 Fish Daily Creel Limit
Walleye Pike	18" Minimum Length, 2 Fish Daily Creel Limit
Northern Pike	24" Minimum Length, 2 Fish Daily Creel Limit
Muskellunge	48" Minimum Length, 1 Fish Daily Creel Limit
Bluegill or Red Ear Sunfish	15 Fish in Total Daily Limit
Crappie-White or Black	15 Fish in Total Daily Limit
Yellow Perch	15 Fish in Total Daily Limit

A. All Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fishing Regulations will be enforced.

B. All fish caught must be taken or released unharmed and in live condition subject to the provisions of this section.

C. Each fish is a separate violation.

D. This Fishing Ordinance will be enforced on all Park District bodies of water, including but not limited to:

Crystal Lake
Woodscreek Park
Four Colonies Park
Veteran Acres Park
Lippold Park
Sterne's Woods and Fen
Winding Creek Park
Willows Edge Park (both ponds)
Prairie Ridge Conservation Area

FISHING ORDINANCE

Fish Stocking

To improve the quality of fishing in Crystal Lake and other bodies of water within Park District parks, the Crystal Lake Park District regularly stocks a variety of species following a plan developed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. For questions about Crystal Lake Park District the fish stocking program, email Preston Skultety, Manager of Natural Resources.

2025 CRYSTAL LAKE FISH STOCKING REPORT
Crystal Lake	9-12" Northern Pike	250 fish
Crystal Lake	4-5" Walleye	2000 fish
Crystal Lake	4-6" Smallmouth Bass	1000 fish

Fall 2024 CRYSTAL LAKE FISH STOCKING REPORT
Crystal Lake	2-4" Yellow Perch	3000 fish
Crystal Lake	4-6" Yellow Perch	240 fish
Crystal Lake	2-4" Smallmouth Bass	175 fish
Crystal Lake	4-6" Smallmouth Bass	550 fish
Crystal Lake	4-5" Walleye	3000 fish

SPRING 2024 CRYSTAL LAKE FISH STOCKING REPORT
Woodscreek Park	6-8" Channel Catfish	300 fish
Woodscreek Park	6-8" Largemouth Bass	100 fish
Lippold Park	6-8" Largemouth Bass	100 fish
Willows Edge West	6-8" Largemouth Bass	50 fish
Willows Edge East	6-8" Largemouth Bass	50 fish
Shamrock Hills	6-8" Largemouth Bass	40 fish
Shamrock Hills	2-4" Bluegill	300 fish
Veteran Acres Pond	6-8" Channel Catfish	300 fish
Four Colonies	2-4" Bluegill	300 fish

2023 CRYSTAL LAKE FISH STOCKING REPORT
Crystal Lake	3-5" Yellow Perch	1,000 fish
Crystal Lake	9-10" Tiger Musky	194 fish
Crystal Lake	2-4" Smallmouth Bass	500 fish
Crystal Lake	4-6" Walleye	3,000 fish
Veteran Acres Pond	Fathead Minnow	50 lbs
Veteran Acres Pond	2-4" Bluegill	2,000 fish
Veteran Acres Pond	4-6" Bluegill	1,000 fish
Veteran Acres Pond	2-4" Largemouth Bass	300 fish
Woodscreek Park Pond	2-4" Bluegill	1,000 fish
Woodscreek Park Pond	Fathead Minnow	20 lbs
Lippold Park Pond	Fathead Minnow	20 lbs
Lippold Park Pond	2-4" Bluegill	1,000
Willows Edge West Pond	Fathead Minnow	5 lbs
Willows Edge West Pond	2-4" Bluegill	500 fish
Willows Edge East Pond	Fathead Minnow	5 lbs
Willows Edge East Pond	2-4" Bluegill	500 fish
Shamrock Hills Pond	Fathead Minnow	5 lbs
Sterne's Woods and Fen Ponds	Fathead Minnow	5 lbs
Four Colonies Pond	Fathead Minnow	5 lbs

2022 CRYSTAL LAKE FISH STOCKING REPORT
Largemouth Bass	555 fish	5-8"
Channel Catfish	830 fish	5-8"
Black Crappie	700 fish	2-3"
Black Crappie	100 fish	1.5-3"
Black Crappie	2400 fish	3-5"
Black Crappie	500 fish	5-7"
Northern Pike	107 fish	9-12"
Walleye	85 fish	5-7"
Walleye	105 fish	6-8"
Walleye	400 fish	8-10"