Weekend fishing itinerary near Chicago

Two days, 4 stops on 4 public waters, all within 75 minutes of Chicago. Each stop below has its drive time, its access point and the fish recorded there.

Day 1

Morning: Lake Michigan

Start the day on Lake Michigan, launching from the ramp below.

Lake Michigan is a 2-minute drive from downtown Chicago. Launch at Ohio Street Beach Access, the public ramp on Lake Michigan closest to downtown (≈ 1.3 mi). Public access on Lake Michigan: 10 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 902 ft. Recorded here: Alewife, Common Carp, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout.

12 min · 0.9 mi

Lake

Lake Michigan

Mason

Ohio Street Beach Access62

max 902 ft · surveyed

Water page

From Ohio Street Beach Access to Canoe & kayak launch — Skokie Lagoons: 31 min by road (18.8 mi).

Evening: Skokie Lagoons

End the day on Skokie Lagoons.

Skokie Lagoons is a 26-minute drive from downtown Chicago. Canoe & kayak launch — Skokie Lagoons: boat ramp on Skokie Lagoons, ≈ 17.8 mi from downtown. Public access on Skokie Lagoons: 2 boat ramps. Surveyed depths reach 16 ft. Recorded here: Common Carp, Goldfish, Bluegill, and Channel Catfish.

226 min · 21.4 mi

Reservoir

Skokie Lagoons

Cook

Canoe & kayak launch — Skokie Lagoons11

max 16 ft · surveyed

Water page

Day 2

Morning: Wolf Lake

Start the day on Wolf Lake, launching from the ramp below.

Wolf Lake is a 27-minute drive from downtown Chicago. Launch at Wolf Lake, the public ramp on Wolf Lake closest to downtown (≈ 15.4 mi). Public access on Wolf Lake: 1 boat ramp. Surveyed depths reach 54 ft. Recorded here: Largemouth Bass, Warmouth, Orangespotted Sunfish, and White Perch.

327 min · 16.8 mi

Lake

Wolf Lake

Lake

Wolf Lake14

max 54 ft · surveyed

Water page

From Wolf Lake to Cedar Lake: 39 min by road (22.9 mi).

Evening: Cedar Lake

End the day on Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake is a 63-minute drive from downtown Chicago. Launch at Cedar Lake, the public ramp on Cedar Lake closest to downtown (≈ 35.4 mi). Public access on Cedar Lake: 1 boat ramp. Surveyed depths reach 12 ft. Recorded here: Brown Bullhead, White Perch, Striped Bass, and Bowfin.