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Axehead Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Illinois, United States

3.2·859 catches

Top fish species at Axehead Lake

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Axehead Lake fishing reports

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Rainbow trout

length · weight

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Rainbow trout

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Rainbow trout

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Rainbow trout

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Rainbow trout

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Warmouth

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General info

Axehead Lake is a lake located in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is most popular for fishing Largemouth bass, Rainbow trout, and Bluegill.

Location

42°00′28.5″N 87°51′56.6″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Axehead Lake?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Axehead Lake. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Axehead Lake, IL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Illinois can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Bag limit6

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit6

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Additional information
There is no statewide size limit. Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site-Specific Regulations. Only statewide regulations are shown herein, but you can access Site-Specific Regulations online.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Season open: year-round
Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size10

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Required licenses
"Inland Trout Stamp" prior to taking of trout from all waters except Lake Michigan."Lake Michigan Salmon Stamp" prior to taking of salmon and trout from Lake Michigan.
Additional information
No statewide size limit. Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. Statewide regulations are shown herein, but you can access Site-Specific Regulations online. Catchable Trout Program: Various lakes and streams are annually stocked with catchable size (10-11 inches) trout in the spring or fall. Anglers are prohibited from taking (harvesting) trout at any of the stocking sites before the legal season opening. Spring catchable trout season opens at 5 a.m. on the first Saturday of April and the fall catchable trout season opens at 5 a.m. on the 3rd Saturday of October. In addition to the spring and fall catchable trout seasons, select locations have an early catch and release trout season beginning 2 weeks prior to the regular opening day (see https://www.ifishillinois.org for locations). All anglers must release any trout caught during the early catch and release trout season. To legally harvest rainbow and/or brown trout from any waters which receive catchable trout or hatchery stockings of trout, licensed sport fishermen must have an inland trout stamp, unless they are under 16 yearsof age, blind or disabled, or Illinois residents on leave from the Armed Forces. Other anglers may utilize these waters for other species. They are not excluded from fishing.Please review Site-Specific Regulations online.
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Season open: year-round
Bluegill

Bluegill

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Additional information
There are no harvest or size limits except in those waters listed under Site-Specific Regulations. 
Edibility
Catch, Clean, Cook Bluegill
Synonyms
Lepomis macrochirus
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Local laws and licenses

Illinois fishing license

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Reviews of Axehead Lake

3.2
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45 ratings

5
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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Park Ridge

1.2 miles away

Des Plaines

2.6 miles away

Niles

3.2 miles away

Schiller Park

3.4 miles away

Norridge

3.8 miles away

Morton Grove

4.6 miles away

Franklin Park

5.0 miles away

Bensenville

5.2 miles away

Mount Prospect

5.4 miles away

Glenview

5.6 miles away

Elmwood Park

6.4 miles away

Elk Grove Village

6.5 miles away

Wood Dale

6.6 miles away

Skokie

6.7 miles away

Northlake

6.8 miles away

Lincolnwood

6.8 miles away

Melrose Park

7.3 miles away

Prospect Heights

7.3 miles away

Wilmette

8.5 miles away

Northbrook

8.5 miles away

Bellwood

8.7 miles away

Evanston

9.2 miles away

Oak Park

9.2 miles away

Winnetka

9.3 miles away

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FAQ about Axehead Lake fishing

📍 Where is Axehead Lake located?
Axehead Lake is a lake located in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Its coordinates are:
42°00′28.5″N 87°51′56.6″W
.
🎣 Where on Axehead Lake is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Axehead Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Axehead Lake?
The most common species in Axehead Lake are:
📢 What are the latest Axehead Lake fishing reports?
The latest Axehead Lake fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Axehead Lake?

Fishing in Illinois requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include resident, non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination licenses, purchasable online or at licensed agents.

In Illinois, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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