Let's go fishing: Naperville Park District offers 19 locations

Posted April 27, 2017 1:00 am

Sue Omanson, Naperville Park District

Naperville residents who enjoy recreational fishing can find a spot right here in Naperville with 19 parks that offer fishing in ponds, streams or rivers.

On Friday, April 21, Naperville Park District staff stocked the pond at Commissioners Park with 500 bluegills, 3-5 inches in size, along with 10 lbs. of flathead minnows to provide an immediate food source for the fish.

Commissioners Park is located at 2704 111th Street in southwest Naperville and has an accessible pier with plenty of room for fishing.

Other ponds have been stocked in recent years when budget and opportunities allowed, including the pond at Sportsman's Park, supported by a donation from the Naperville Sportsman's Club, and the pond at May Watts Park, as part of a program through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The Park District offers an introductory program, Fishin' Kids, for children ages 5-11 and parents at Knoch Knolls Park.

"The Fishin' Kids programs provide all the equipment and instructions needed for kids to try fishing themselves, along with a parent," explained Nature Center Manager Angelique Harshman. "Last year one boy caught a 13" Channel Catfish out of the pond at Knoch Knolls Park. Other types of fish that can be caught in our ponds and streams include bass, bluegill, other types of sunfish, bullheads and crappies."

Upcoming dates for the program are April 30, May 21 and June 25. Although the April and May classes are filled, there is still space in the June program. To learn more or to register, visit www.napervilleparks.org.

Fishing is permitted in the following parks at the Naperville Park District:

• Knoch Knolls Park

• Sportsman's Park

• Hobson West Ponds

• May Watts Park

• Commissioners Park

• Lincoln Greenway

• Riverwalk Park

• Pioneer Park

• Weigand Park

• Rock Ridge Park

• Brighton Ridge Park

• Westglen Commons

• Winding Creek Park

• Baileywood Park

• Springbrook Crossings

• Summerfield Lake Park

• Ashbury Park

• Brook Prairie

• Tall Grass Lakes

As a reminder, all state fishing regulations apply to fishing at Naperville Park District locations. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 65 needs a fishing license to fish in Illinois waters. Fishing licenses may be purchased through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources online or at local retail outlets. Naperville Park District's rules for fishing can be found in Section 2.19 of Ordinance 641 published online at www.napervilleparks.org.

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