Cote Lake in Kankakee County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Cote Lake is one of the Kankakee County waters in Illinois. It lies 663 feet above sea level. At 19 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Head to Saint Anne, 0.4 miles away, for anything you forgot. It is 39 miles to Joliet, the nearest city. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Cote Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Kankakee County include johnny darter, redfin pickerel and rock bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Cote Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 74°F in July and bottoms out near 22°F in January. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Winter locks it down, and mid March brings it back. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid March until roughly late December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It holds true on Cote Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Mirror Lake at 9.6 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the current arrangement for Cote Lake.