Wolf Lake
Info / Counties: Cook, Cook - Urban North
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
Yes
Boat Fishing
Yes - 10 hp limit and no wake for boats with larger motors
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
Yes
Camping
No
Picnicking
Yes - More Info
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
Fall & Spring
Zebra Mussels
Location 380 acres
Fishing Outlook
Northern Pike
Very Good
Northern Pike are very abundant at Wolf Lake. Northern Pike are stocked by Illinois DNR into the Main and North Pools. Indiana DNR fish can enter the Illinois portions of Wolf Lake through a hydrologic connection at Stateline Pool. Northern Pike densities are pretty high, with Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) in the 15.5 fish/net-night range. Wolf Lake has one of the most abundant Northern Pike fisheries within Illinois inland lakes. In 2025, 7% of the adult population in the Main Pool was over 28 inches, and 53% was over 21 inches. The Main Pool was sampled in 2025, but other pools need sampled to acquire a better snapshot of the fishery.
Bluegill
Fair
Bluegill densities and quality vary from pool to pool. Bluegill are not very abundant at the Wolf Lake North Pool, but are a little more abundant at the Main and Stateline Pools. Fish averaged around 4 inches in the Fall 2025 electrofishing surveys, and got up to 7 inches in length.
Channel Catfish
Average
Channel Catfish are requested from the State Hatchery System on an annual basis. These fish are typically 8 – 10 inches and immediately provide anglers the opportunity to bring home their catch. A baited-hoop netting survey needs to be conducted to formally evaluate this fishery.
Black Crappie
Average
Black Crappie are poorly collected in electrofishing surveys, thus the extent of the Crappie population at Wolf Lake is currently unknown. Future trap netting surveys are planned at each pool to evaluate this popular fishery.
Largemouth Bass
Fair
Largemouth Bass densities and quality vary from pool to pool. The Main and Stateline Pools have the better fisheries, with fish up to 15 and 17 inches collected in the Fall 2025 electrofishing surveys (though average length was 7 - 10 inches). Relative abundance is relatively low at these two pools, with overall catch rates around 0.5 fish/minute. The Stateline Pool fishery is very limited.
Walleye
Very Good
Walleye are stocked by Illinois DNR into the Main Pool, and Indiana fish are able to enter the Illinois portion through the Stateline Pool connection. Spring nighttime electrofishing surveys indicate that fish reach legal size by about Age-3. Catch rates are in the 1.5 fish/minute range, which is about average. Mean length is around 17 inches, with the vast majority of fish over legal size.
| 2026 | Bluegill x Green Sunfish | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 1150 |
| 2026 | Channel Catfish | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 12000 |
| 2026 | Northern Pike | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 2231 |
| 2026 | Rainbow Trout | Adult | 800 |
| 2026 | Walleye | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 33630 |
Contact
773-646-3270
Description
Prior to 1947 Wolf Lake was a small, shallow glacial lake situated in a wetland area between the confluence of the Grand Calumet and Calumet Rivers. Since that time however, the construction of a low level dam and levees from extensive dredging operations have changed the lake's appearance. The lake and it's fishery have developed into a haven for anglers to enjoy some quiet time away from the highly urbanized region and catch quality-sized fish. The lake is located on the Illinois and Indiana state line. The Illinois portion of Wolf Lake consists of 390 acres of water and is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Fishing ranks as one of the most popular recreational activities at William Powers. The maximum depth of Wolf Lake is 15 feet and the average depth is 5 feet. There are three developed boat ramps in the park, but no concession or fish cleaning facilities are available.Fishery History
The fishery is evaluated via routine major and species-specific surveys and stocking includes Largemouth Bass, Chanel Catfish, Walleye, and Northern Pike. The "Office Lagoon" receives catchable Rainbow Trout as part of the Inland Trout Program and Hybrid Sunfish as part of the Urban Fishing Program.Site Regulations
Fishing access is reduced during the waterfowl hunting season (contact site for more information). Boat fishing is allowed; boats with motors larger than 10 hp must remain at no wake speed. Rental boats are available from the park concessionaire. Swimming and wading are prohibited. The park is open sunrise to sunset.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- Recreational Use Restriction: Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (see above)
- 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: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Northern Pike: 24 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)
- Trout: Fall Closed Season; Spring Closed Season; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Walleye, Sauger, or Walleye Hybrid: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
