Top 4 Lakes around Des Plaines

The lakes in Des Plaines offer a variety of outdoor activities. You can enjoy fishing, boating (including canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding), and exploring extensive trail systems. For specific routes, you can find options for hiking, running, and mountain biking near the lakes.

Yes, several lakes are great for families. Busse Lake — North and Main Pools and the surrounding Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods) are considered family-friendly, offering opportunities for boating and exploring trails. Prairie Lakes Park Ponds also provides a playground, picnic areas, and open fields, making it ideal for family outings.

Des Plaines offers several excellent fishing spots. Big Bend Lake is known for largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. Axehead Lake is popular for year-round fishing, while Lake Carina is stocked by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and offers bluegill, northern pike, and largemouth bass. Des Plaines Lake also has a good population of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Northern Pike.

The lakes are often integrated into larger park systems and forest preserves, offering diverse natural features. You can find extensive woodlands, open fields, wetlands, and various bird species, especially around Lake Carina and the Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods), which even features an elk pasture.

Absolutely. The area boasts a comprehensive trail system. The Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods) alone features over 12 miles of paved trails. The Des Plaines River Trail runs alongside several lakes, including Axehead Lake and Lake Carina, providing unpaved and limestone paths suitable for walking and biking.

The lakes are enjoyable throughout the year, with each season offering a different experience. Spring and fall provide pleasant temperatures for hiking and cycling, while summer is ideal for boating and water activities. Axehead Lake is noted for year-round fishing, suggesting that even in colder months, there are opportunities for outdoor enjoyment.

Yes, boating is a popular activity. Busse Lake — North and Main Pools offers opportunities for rowboats, canoes, or kayaks, with rentals often available. Big Bend Lake has a boat launch for canoes and kayaks, and non-motorized watercraft like canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are permitted on Lake Carina, which also has a separate canoe launch along the Des Plaines River.

The Busse Woods Reservoir Bridge is a notable scenic spot, offering exceptional views across the water where the two bodies of Busse Lake join. Many points along the Des Plaines River Trail also provide picturesque views of the lakes and surrounding natural areas.

Most lakes are accessible via park entrances or trailheads, often with dedicated parking areas. For example, Big Bend Lake has a boat launch for easy access. The Des Plaines River Trail provides access to several lakes, and many parks like Prairie Lakes Park offer parking facilities for visitors.

The Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods) is popular due to its vast size (over 3,500 acres), extensive paved trails (nearly 13 miles), and diverse natural features. It includes large waterways, an elk pasture, and ancient trees, making it one of the most visited parks in the state for hiking, cycling, and wildlife viewing.

Beyond Busse Lake, other significant lakes in the area include Lake Opeka, which is part of a 76-acre park with a golf course and marina. Big Bend Lake, Axehead Lake, Prairie Lakes Park Ponds, Lake Carina, and Des Plaines Lake all offer unique recreational opportunities, from fishing to non-motorized boating and trail access.