Cranberry Slough, Illinois: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Cranberry Slough lies in Cook County, in Illinois. Country round the bank runs to lake country bush. At roughly 6 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Our Cook County list holds plenty of bigger water. For a base, Hickory Hills sits 1.9 miles out. Willow Springs is 2 miles away, with Palos Hills at 2.3 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Cranberry Slough

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Cook County include common carp, bluegill, green sunfish and gizzard shad. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Cranberry Slough the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 22°F and July at about 74°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid March. Open water usually runs from mid March until about mid December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. The season on Cranberry Slough follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Belly Deep Slough gives parking half a mile away. Mapping shows a picnic spot within half a mile. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. For the carp, bait a margin spot and sit on it; corn and bread still work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Treat Cranberry Slough as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.