Fishing at Meadow Lake, DuPage County, Illinois

• Overview

  Meadow Lake belongs to DuPage County, Illinois. The surface lies 686 feet up. This is a pocket water of some 6 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Lisle sits 1 mile from here and is the nearest stop. Naperville sits 4.3 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Meadow Lake

  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. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name bluegill, green sunfish, common carp, white sucker and largemouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Meadow Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 22°F in January up to 74°F in July. Hard water is a season in its own right here. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid March. The open-water window runs from around mid March to about mid December in an average year. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan around that when you fish Meadow Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. You can park 130 yards away and walk in from there. Mapping records toilets within 170 yards. This sits inside Morton Arboretum, so read the reserve notices first. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Lake Marmo at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. For Meadow Lake in particular, ask before you travel.