Fish Out of Water

While thousands of people have lived without love, nobody has lived without water. If water is your happy place to clear your mind, swim or fish, then these are the hot spots in the Chicago Southland where you’ll be able to simply chill.

Centennial Park in Orland Park
This large area is loaded with a variety of things to do starting with their aquatic center (resident and non-resident fees depending on time and day of attendance), which is a water park offering slides, flumes, cliff jump and water play areas for youngsters. Also found in the area are baseball and soccer fields, plus a variety of FREE walking and biking trails (great for walking your dog), gazebos to catch your breath, fishing along the lake and free ice skating in the winter.

Izaak Walton Preserve in Homewood
This peaceful place in the middle of suburbia is free for walkers/runners without pets and non-fishermen. There is an annual membership card needed to walk a dog along the trails and/or fish the three lakes ($25 adults, $5 juniors under 18 and active military members). There’s also picnic shelters with tables throughout the area to rest, talk or celebrate!

Lake Katherine Nature Center in Palos Heights
The center’s 85 beautifully restored natural refuge acres allow visitors to walk the trails, fish and park for free. Lake Katherine also offers canoe and kayak rentals ($10 per person per hour). Visit their man-made waterfall and the organic Heritage Garden, where they grow typical crops that are harvested and donated to local food pantries.

Monee Reservoir in Monee
The reservoir’s 248 acres include a 46-acre lake that was intentionally created and used by a railroad to supply water to steam engines. The reservoir is great for hiking/running, not to mention cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months. There are two different picnic shelters for rental; if you want to fish, you’ll need a license that can be purchased at the reservoir plus fishing poles can be checked out for free. You’ll find a lake full of channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike and crappie. Finally, there’s a variety of ways via rentals to enjoy the water, including canoes, kayaks, rowboats and pedalboats.

For a full list of fishing locations, check out VisitChicagoSouthland.com/Fishing-Spots and if you’re looking for places to cool off in the summer, VisitChicagoSouthland.com/Splashtastic.