Lake Marion near Mount Greenwood: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Cook County, Illinois, sits Lake Marion. It stands 630 feet above sea level. At 2 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Most waters listed here for Cook County are larger. Supplies mean a trip to Mount Greenwood, 0.8 miles off. Evergreen Park lies 1.1 miles off, Merrionette Park another 1.9 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lake Marion

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Public occurrence data for Cook County names common carp, bluegill and green sunfish. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Anyone new to Lake Marion should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 22°F to 75°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Ice-out usually falls in mid March, and the weeks after it fish hardest. The open-water window runs from around mid March to about late December in an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. That is the shape of the year on Lake Marion.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. The mapped parking is Lot 4, 150 yards away. Carp respond to sweetcorn or boilies fished patiently on the bottom near feeding areas. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. If the gate is shut, Lake Arrowhead at 5.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Lake Marion before loading the car.