Hawthorn Lake Fishing near Barrington Hills, Illinois

• Overview

  Hawthorn Lake sits within Cook County in Illinois. Elevation runs to 823 feet. Roughly 27 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. It sits higher than most water we list in Illinois. The nearest town is Barrington Hills, 0.6 miles away. Barrington lies 1.2 miles off, Inverness another 3 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Hawthorn Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Cook County cover common carp, bluegill, green sunfish, gizzard shad and goldfish. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Hawthorn Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 21°F and July at about 72°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. Averages place the thaw at late March and the freeze at mid December. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Hawthorn Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. Carp respond to sweetcorn or boilies fished patiently on the bottom near feeding areas. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Keene Lake is 0.4 miles off. Treat access at Hawthorn Lake as something to verify.