Northern Pike

While not a renowned pike destination, Palos Heights, Illinois, offers some opportunities for northern pike within the Cook County Forest Preserves. Tampier Lake is your best bet; it's stocked periodically and has the weedy habitat that pike prefer. The Des Plaines River, though less consistent, can also hold pike, especially in the deeper holes and near submerged timber. Early spring, right after ice-out, is a fantastic time to target pike as they become active and feed aggressively. Fall is another excellent period as they fatten up for winter. A key local tip is to use wire leaders, as pike have very sharp teeth. Large spoons, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are effective lures. Another tip: focus on the shallower, weedy areas, particularly near creek inlets or areas with submerged vegetation. The pike in this region aren't usually trophy-sized, but they can provide exciting action.