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

Print Fishing Ordinance-page 9

FISH 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 SPRING CRYSTAL LAKE FISH STOCKING REPORT
Crystal Lake	3-5" Yellow Perch	1,000 fish
Crystal Lake	9-10" Tiger Musky	194 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"