• Fishing on Crystal lake

    2023 Walk-In Fishing Key card

    Available and valid May 1, 2023-April 30, 2024

    Park District Residents Only:

    Fee: $35

    Replacement key card: $10

    Please Note: half price (11/1/23-4/30/24)

    The Park District offers gate keys to residents who want to fish at WEST PARK beach before the park opens at 10 AM. Key allows for entrance through the park's special walk-in gates. Small portable boats are NOT allowed through the walk-in gate. All watercraft must enter thru boat gate. Daily admission fees apply to the permit holder and all guests wanting to use the beach and/or swimming areas at West Beach. In order to purchase a card, you must show proof of residency.

  • 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 from piers installed for that purpose.

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

    B. Crystal Lake Park District (Crystal Lake and Park District Ponds)

    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

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

    D. Each fish is a separate violation.

    E. 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 -page 18

  • ----Willows Edge Large Mouth Bass_Ryan Ready.jpgFISH STOCKING PROGRAM

    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.

    Photo: Ryan Ready catches a largemouth bass from Willows Edge pond.

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

    For questions about Crystal Lake Park District the fish stocking program, email Preston Skultety, Manager of Natural Resources

  • POND FISHING

    Fishing is allowed at various ponds throughout the Park District. Below are depth charts for some of the more popular ponds:

    ----woodscreek pond depth.jpg

    ----willows edge pond depth.jpg

    PRINT

    ----shamrock hills pond depth.jpg

    PRINT

Latest News

More News >

Interested in signing up?
Look at our Program Guide

Check It Out!