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BELLEAU LAKE (CCFPD)


Lake Information

County: Cook

Acreage: 12

Average Depth: 17.00 feet

Shoreline Length: 0.7 miles

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 no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

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Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Good

Survey data shows bluegill approach 8 inches long and can be found concentrated near vegetation and other nearshore structure. Since the lake is deep, clear, and steep sided, it may be difficult to find bluegills outside the spring spawning season (mid-May to early June).

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

Bass were collected at a rate well above the goal. The maximum size fish collected was 15.6”; 17% of the sample exceeded 12" long, 4% exceeded 15” and were legal size; 42 of the 50 bass collected over 8” long were sub-adults (<12” long), suggesting a great opportunity for the population to expand. Anglers can circle this lake in an hour or so and should find success!

Location: Belleau Lake is located in Park Ridge off Busse Highway, west of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

Description: Belleau Lake is 12 acres and has a maximum depth 32 feet and an average depth 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. Belleau Lake has ample shorefishing access, one parking lot, 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 14 species live in this system, including the above, as well as smallmouth bass, black crappie, green sunfish, warmouth, rock bass, yellow perch, yellow bass, yellow bullhead, golden shiners, gizzard shad, common carp, and spotted suckers. (Note: several of these species are indicative of fish movement from the Des Plaines River during high water events.)

Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only. No boats are allowed. No fish cleaning station is available. Belleau Lake has one parking lot, picnic tables and porta-potty outhouses.

Contact Information:
Forest Preserve District of Cook County – Fisheries
708-403-6951
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Andy Plauck
815-675-2386 ext 214