Finding the Perfect Catch: Fishing in Lemont Quarries

As the sun rises on a new day, there are few places around town where you can find local fishermen setting up their lawn chairs and preparing to find the perfect catch for their breakfast, lunch, or dinner — or even, to toss back.

Fishing in Lemont has been a long-time hobby of locals and passersby looking to enjoy the views of nature and wildlife while setting records for the largest catch. Our ecosystem is constantly evolving. If you’re looking for what you can find in the lakes surrounding Lemont Downtown, we’ve gathered up a list.

GEt to know the hQRA

Lemont is located along the Illinois and Michigan Canal (I&M) which dates back to 1836. When mining operations stopped, the quarries filled with water. They became a source of ice in winter and a popular destination in summer as nature took back its claim over the area. Following decades of advocacy by the Village, Lemont Township, and the Heritage Quarries Recreation Committee, the protected land surrounding the I&M Canal is known as the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area - aka Lemont Quarries. While this area is home to The Forge Adventure Park, the system of trails is open to the public from dusk until dawn, seven days a week. There is no swimming, no hunting, no alcohol, and no open fire allowed anywhere within the Quarries. Only paddle, oar, or electronic tolling motorboats are allowed and the paths should be used for walking, running, biking, boating, or fishing.

WHERE TO FISH AND WHAT YOU’LL FIND

Great Lakes Quarries

You’ll regularly find Bluegill, Black Crappie, and what is rumored to be Lake Sturgeons. Lake Sturgeons are an endangered species and their presence is an excellent indicator of good conditions. The traditional bottom feeders are the oldest and largest native species in the Great Lakes and could have been placed there 30-40 years ago.

Ice Box Quarries

The weediest and shallow, you’ll find Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Carp which tend to populate when it floods.

Krueger Quarries

Find plenty of fish here. Regularly monitored in partnership with The Forge, you’ll find Bluegill, Black Crappie, Shad, Largemouth Bass, and Catfish. In 2020, Walleye Fingerlings were introduced but to date, none have been caught.

Consumer Quarries

This quarry is technically off-limits for fishing, though we frequently see folks fishing and kayaking there. This quarry is managed by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Great Chicago (MWRD).

The Forge Quarries

No public fishing is allowed here due to public health and safety risks. It is regularly monitored and managed by The Forge.

I&M Canal

Many people fish in the I&M Canal! Park in the lot south of the Canal off Stephen Street and drop in a pole. You will mostly find Carp in the canal.

General Rules

• A Fishing License is required for the HQRA. Find more information regarding the license through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

• A Boating License is required for the HQRA. A boat launch is located at the western end of the Great Lakes Quarry. You can find access and free public parking in the shared lot at The Forge: Lemont Quarries.

• The local Ace Hardware in Lemont sells live bait!

• To keep the populations healthy, there are size and catch limits as of April 1,2019.

  • Bluegill, Redear, or Hybrid sunfish – 15 fish daily creel limit, no size limit

  • Black or White crappie – 15 fish daily creel limit, no size limit

  • Largemouth Bass – 3 fish daily creel limit, 14" minimum length limit