Fishing at Little Bear Lake, Lake County, Illinois

• Overview

  Little Bear Lake sits within Lake County in Illinois. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. Small at around 24 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. On size it sits at the modest end of our Lake County list. Vernon Hills at 1.9 miles is the nearest place to stop. For a city, Elgin is 22 miles off. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Little Bear Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records held for Lake County cover bluegill, common carp and green sunfish. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Fish Little Bear Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 21°F and July at about 73°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late March. From about late March to around mid December, expect open water on the long-run figures. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It holds true on Little Bear Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. A ramp at Canoe/Kayak ramp is mapped half a mile away. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. A pier half a mile from here gives a platform over deeper water. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Big Bear Lake, 0.3 miles out. The position on Little Bear Lake is worth confirming on the day.