The fishing pole was supposed to be for Jeffrey Carlson’s daughter. It was small, inexpensive and perfect for a 4-year-old just learning to cast. Then one day, Carlson took the pole himself, sent a line into the water and caught a bass.
“I was hooked,” Carlson says. “I was like, ‘Holy cow.’”
He bought another pole. Soon he was slipping out early in the morning to fish. A hobby he had barely considered became something he now does once or twice a week during warmer months.
This fall, the waters of the Forest Preserves of Cook County could hook a few more newcomers. September and October are among the best months to fish local lakes and ponds, according to Steve Silic, senior fisheries ecologist with the Forest Preserves. As water temperatures drop and daylight shrinks, fish sense winter approaching.
“They really want to fatten up,” Silic says. “They do get a little more aggressive in the fall time because they want to bulk up for the winter.” That can mean more action at the end of the line, which is enticing for people holding a fishing rod for the first time.
What to Catch, Where to Go
You don’t need an overflowing tackle box to get started. Silic recommends beginners buy a basic rod-and-reel combination and keep their setup simple: a small hook, a little weight, a bobber and live bait such as a worm or minnow.
If you cast from shore, bluegill are among the most likely catches, with green sunfish, pumpkinseed, crappie, largemouth bass and bullhead also swimming Forest Preserves waters.
Getting away from the shoreline has its benefits as well. Silic says fishing from a boat can improve your chances of catching fish because you can reach portions of the water that don’t often see fishing activity. For those without a boat, the Forest Preserves offers rentals at the following locations:
- Busse Lake (Elk Grove Village)
- Maple Lake (Willow Springs)
- Tampier Lake (Orland Park)
- Skokie Lagoons (Winnetka)
Finding a place to try is almost as easy.
Maple Lake offers plenty of shoreline and a diverse fish population. Papoose Lake, Horsetail Lake and Sag Quarry in the southwest are smaller options with healthy bass and bluegill populations. Wampum Lake in southern Cook County is a popular choice farther south, while Skokie Lagoons and Beck Lake provide opportunities north of Chicago. In the northwest suburbs at Busse Lake, the Forest Preserves’ largest lake, offers extensive fishing opportunities, including the chance for anglers to rent a boat and reach less-fished water.
Once you’re on site, Silic recommends looking for structure along the water. Downed trees, piers and other habitat can attract fish. Lake contour maps and the Forest Preserves Fishing Guide can help anglers understand what is happening beneath the surface and choose where to cast.
When he began, Carlson found other anglers at the lakes were willing to offer advice about fishing spots, lures and techniques. “You can’t go to a lake without talking or running into an individual who will definitely help you,” he says.
Out in Nature
Carlson says fishing changed the way he sees the Forest Preserves themselves. His favorite destination is Tampier Lake, where he can fish, kayak, hike or spend the day with his family. Someone who once would not have described himself as an outdoors person now hikes, notices birds and searches out unfamiliar preserves.
Sometimes he catches largemouth bass. Sometimes he simply gets an hour or two beside the water.
“It’s beautiful days, peaceful, quiet,” Carlson says. “You have time to self-reflect.” For someone standing on the shore for the first time this fall, the first catch might be a bluegill. Or, as Carlson discovered, the beginning of a new way to experience the outdoors.