Sand Pond - IBSP

Info / Lake County

Location 18 acres

Sand Pond is located in the North Unit of Illinois Beach State Park near Zion, Illinois in Lake County.

Fishing Outlook

Recent Stocking History
2025 Channel Catfish Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") 752
2025 Largemouth Bass Fingerling (1 - 3") 329
2025 Northern Pike NonVulnerable (8 - 10") 72
2025 Rainbow Trout Adult 1985
2024 Channel Catfish Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") 765

Contact

Plauck, Andrew
IDNR Fisheries Biologist
Send Message
708-403-6951
Illinois Beach State Park:
847-662-4811

Description

Sand Pond is a 20-acre glacial lake with a discharge that flows into Kellogg Creek then into Lake Michigan. Sand Pond has a shoreline length 0.7 miles and a watershed of 36.9 acres. The maximum depth is 9.6 feet and average depth is 4.8 feet. A limestone trail system surrounds the lake for access. No boats are allowed, there is a handicap accessible fishing pier, pit toilets and an ample shore fishing access. No fish cleaning station is available onsite but a fish cleaning station is available at North Point Marina, just to the north.

Fishery History

Occasional fish surveys are conducted to assess the status of the fishery and to evaluate stocked species success. Herbicide use is kept to a minimum and used to enhance access for shore fishing. Sand Pond receives annual stockings of 8- to 10-inch Channel Catfish, 10 inch Northern Pike, 10- to 14-inch Rainbow Trout for both the spring and fall Catchable Trout seasons and periodic stockings of Largemouth Bass to balance the fishery and provide sport fishing opportunities. Additional fish species captured during sampling include: Golden Shiner, Yellow Perch, Warmouth, White Sucker, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie.

Site Regulations

No watercraft or wading is allowed at Sand Pond.

 

Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:

  • All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing
  • Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
  • Large or Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
  • Trout: Fall Closed Season; Spring Closed Season; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Additional Information

Planning to eat your catch?  Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory Page