The District offers fishing fun for anglers of all ages and experience levels.
Fishermen must obey all State of Illinois fishing regulations and any other posted site-specific regulations.
Anglers over 16 should carry a valid fishing license and appropriate stamps, such as Inland Trout, when needed at all times while fishing. Licenses may be obtained at most stores where sporting goods are sold or online at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/fishing/Pages/FishingInformation.aspx
Licenses are not required for those under 16 years old or for those declared legally disabled or blind.
All anglers on District sites are limited to only two fishing devices and the use of live bait (minnows) is prohibited. Wading and the use of individual flotation rings is also prohibited.
The Hollows Conservation Area in Cary and Nippersink Creek in Richmond allow for the use of non-motorized boats, canoes or kayaks. Watercraft must have valid registration, the proper number of flotation devices, and conform to all other State regulations.
The District hosts its annual Hooked on Fishing program for families during the second weekend in June during Illinois Free Fishing days when anyone can fish without a license. Check our summer Landscapes for details!
All ages came out to the first annual Frosty Fishing Fair on January 5, 2013 to learn the tip and tricks of ice fishing this winter at Lake Atwwod in The Hollows Conservations area. See all the fun…
Tip: Use our interactive map
to locate specific fishing sites!
View/download fishing sites and species listings brochure.![]()
Conservation District Sites Where Fishing is Allowed
(with a valid license) and what fish you might catch there:
Ice fishing
is open at several sites after the formation of 4" of clear ice on the water:
• Fel-Pro RRR, Cary — CLOSED
• The Hollows, Cary:
…Lake Atwood — CLOSED
…West Lake — CLOSED• Lyons Prairie & Marsh, Cary — CLOSED
• Pleasant Valley, Woodstock — CLOSED
• Rush Creek pond, Harvard — CLOSED
• Stickney Run pond, McHenry — CLOSED
All District ponds are closed upon the formation of surface ice. With the exception of those sites listed above, the other ponds on District sites remain closed for the winter season, re-opening in the spring.
For more information or to check the status of the ponds, please call the District's Main Office at 815-338-6223.
Last updated 3/28/13
BROOKDALE
18410 US Highway 14, Woodstock
Brookdale Pond (11 acres)
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, green sunfish, bullhead
2012 Stocking: 100 bluegill, 75 largemouth, 250 channel catfish
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County Line Road Access (Kishwaukee River)
4700 County Line Rd., Marengo
Fish: Channel catfish, bullhead, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, green sunfish
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DUFIELD POND —
11700 Block of Country Club Rd., Woodstock
Dufield Pond (7 acres)
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch
2012 Stocking: 75 bluegill, 75 largemouth, 250 channel catfish
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FEL-PRO RRR
1520 Crystal Lake Ave., Cary
*Main Pond (4 acres)
depth map
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, warmouth, pumpkinseed, bullhead
2012 Stocking: 50 bluegill, 50 largemouth
*West Pond (1 acre)
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill
2012 Stocking: 50 bluegill, 50 largemouth 
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FOX RIVER
Hickory Grove Riverfront
500 Hickory Nut Grove Rd., Cary
Fish: largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, channel catfish, Northern pike, pumpkinseed, warmouth, bowfin, green sunfish, carp
Fox Bluff Conservation Area
Algonquin Rd
&
Cold Springs Rd., Cary
Fish: largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, channel catfish, Northern pike, pumpkinseed, warmouth, bowfin, green sunfish, carp
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THE HOLLOWS
3804 Route 14, Cary
*Lake Atwood (22 acres)
depth map
Fish: largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish
2013 Stocking (IDNR & MCCD): 1100 rainbow trout
*West Lake (12 acres)
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie
2012 Stocking: 50 bluegill, 50 largemouth 
*Little Atwood (2.5 acres)
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill
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LYONS PRAIRIE & MARSH
7500 Hickory Nut Grove Rd., Cary
*Lyons Prairie & Marsh (2 ponds; 2.5 acres)
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, green sunfish, warmouth, orange-spotted sunfish, bullhead
2012 Stocking: 50 bluegill, 50 largemouth
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MARENGO RIDGE
3100 N. Route 23, Marengo
Marengo Ridge pond (1 acre) -
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill
(Note: pond subject to winterkill)
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Keystone Road Canoe Landing • 360° view of Keystone Road Canoe Landing •
6500 Keystone Rd., Wonder Lake – west side of Glacial Park
Fish: channel catfish, bass, bluegill, walleye, bullhead, carp, green sunfish
Pioneer Road Canoe Landing
Richmond
Fish: channel catfish, bass, bluegill, walleye, bullhead, carp, green sunfish
Lyle C. Thomas Memorial Park
Spring Grove
Fish: channel catfish, bass, bluegill, walleye, bullhead, carp, green sunfish
Nippersink Canoe Base
400 E. Route 12, Spring Grove
Fish: channel catfish, bass, bluegill, walleye, bullhead, carp, green sunfish, Northern pike
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Beck's Woods
5940 N. Pagles Rd., Chemung
Fish: rainbow trout, rock bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish
Piscasaw North/Beck's Woods
7600 Maxon Rd., Chemung
Fish: rainbow trout, rock bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish
2013 Stocking (IDNR): 230 rainbow trout
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PLEASANT VALLEY
13315 Pleasant Valley Rd., Woodstock
*Pleasant Valley pond (2 acres)
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill
(Note: pond subject to winterkill)
2012 Stocking: 50 bluegill, 50 largemouth![]()
RUSH CREEK
20501 McGuire Rd., Harvard
*Rush Creek pond (4 acres)
depth map
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish
2012 Stocking: 75 bluegill, 50 largemouth
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SILVER CREEK
1200 Block Rawson Bridge Rd., Cary
Silver Creek Pond (1 acre)
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie
2012 Stocking: 50 bluegill, 50 largemouth
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STICKNEY RUN
3716 State Park Rd., McHenry
*Stickney Run pond (3 acres)
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish
(Note: pond subject to winterkill)
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WINDING CREEK
8415 Johnson Rd., Hebron
Winding Creek Pond (1 acre) – catch & release recommended
Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie
2012 Stocking: 50 bluegill, 50 largemouth
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