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AXEHEAD LAKE (CCFPD)
Lake Information
County: Cook
Acreage: 17
Average Depth: 17.00 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? No Boats Allowed
Boat Ramps? No
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? No
Trout stocked in fall
Trout stocked in spring
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There are zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2023 |
Bluegill |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
32264 |
Additional information for stocking on Axehead Lake - FPDCC
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
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Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Good | Survey data shows bluegill can exceed 8 inches long, which is a good indicator of “sufficient” predation and a balanced fish population. Bluegill abundance is good, their maximum size is good and there is ample shoreline access to target them! Find vegetation to find bluegills. | |
Good | Bass were collected at a rate just below the goal. The maximum size fish collected was 12.7”; nearly all fish collected were sub-adults though sampling errors associated with this deep, clear lake make “sampling” adult fish difficult. Since catch rates were decent it indicates that natural reproduction occurs, so adult-size fish “must” be present in fair numbers to carry the population along. Anglers report fair catches, especially in spring when fish tend to be closer to shore. | |
Fair | Northern pike are occasionally stocked; fish to 37” have been collected, though not abundant. Northern pike add to the diversity of the predator base to balance the lakes overall fishery. | |
Location: Axehead Lake is located between Touhy and Des Plaines River Road, east of the Tri-State Tollway (US294) near Park Ridge, Illinois.
Description: Axehead Lake is 17 acres, has a maximum depth 31 feet and an average depth of approximately 17 feet. The lake was created in 1958, probably as a borrow pit for expressway construction; it’s steep sided and very clear. The lake is difficult to survey with conventional methods, so fisheries data is sparse. Axehead Lake has ample shorefishing access, two parking lots, picnic tables and porta-potty outhouses. No boats are allowed. No fish cleaning station is available.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The Lake is part of both the spring and fall inland rainbow trout seasons, and receives occasional fish surveys by IDNR or FPDCC Fisheries Staff to evaluate vegetation and fish species abundance and diversity. Smallmouth bass were supplementally stocked in this “gravel pit” type lake to try and establish a population, but positive results have been difficult to verify so smallmouth bass stockings have been discontinued.
Approximately 10 species live in this system including those listed above, as well as black crappie, green sunfish, yellow perch, yellow bass, black bullhead, common carp, and white sucker.
Additional Lake Information: No boats allowed. No fish cleaning station is available. Axehead Lake has two parking lots, picnic tables and porta-potty outhouses.
Contact Information: Forest Preserve District of Cook County – Fisheries 708-403-6951IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Andy Plauck815-675-2386 ext 214
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