Crescent Lake

How big is Crescent Lake?

How deep is Crescent Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Crescent Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Crescent Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Crescent Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Crescent Lake

Are there boat launches on Crescent Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Crescent Lake?

Crescent Lake is currently managed for walleye and muskellunge, and has a reputation for producing fairly high numbers of small walleye. Smallmouth bass were first found in the lake in the late 1990s, and have complicated walleye fishing since. The current lake management plan (2010) established a long range goal for walleye of a minimum gill net catch of 6.0 fish/set. The goal for the muskellunge population was a minimum gill net catch of 1.0 fish/set, with some fish over 30 inches present. The 2014 survey was to have been the second of three intended to monitor walleye and muskellunge populations and determine whether the introduction of smallmouth bass had an adverse effect on walleye, muskellunge, or yellow perch in this lake. The first survey (in 2011) was canceled due to a lack of staff and funding.

As has usually been the case in this lake, walleye were fairly abundant, but small, in 2014. The number of walleye caught per gill net met the long range goal from the lake management plan and was above average for this type of lake; however, the catch was low for this lake historically. Mean individual weight for walleye taken in gill nets was the second highest for the lake historically, and was above average for the lake class. Walleye have not been stocked in Crescent Lake since 1976, so all walleye found in 2014 were naturally produced. Ten year classes were identified in the sample: 2002, and 2004-2012. No year class stood out as exceptionally strong, but the catch was dominated by two- three-, and four-year-old fish. Walleye growth rates had been close to average for the lake class.

Muskellunge were fairly abundant in Crescent Lake in 2014, and many were larger than 30 inches; however, there was very little chance of catching a 'legal' size fish in this lake.
Muskellunge were introduced in Crescent Lake in the late 1970s, and have been self-sustained since that time. Unfortunately, muskellunge stocked in Crescent Lake were Shoepack-strain fish with very limited potential for producing large fish. The 2014 muskellunge catch met management goals for the species in this lake, and included fish as large as 40 inches. Very few larger fish have ever been seen or reported from Crescent Lake, or any other lake in Cook County. The 2014 catch was similar, in terms of number and size of fish taken, to catches seen in every assessment of Crescent Lake since 1993. Mean weight of gill netted muskellunge ranked well above the median for the lake class. Two gillnetted fish were considered to be tiger musky based on color and pattern. A few northern pike were also present in Crescent Lake in 2014, but northern pike numbers have been low since muskellunge became established in the lake.

Smallmouth bass were first caught in assessment nets in 1999. They were probably more abundant in 2014 than catches in gill and trap nets would indicate. The 11 bass taken in 2014 had grown slowly.

Yellow perch abundance was high in 2014, but most were too small to have been of much interest to anglers. Growth rates of perch appeared to have started out slow and to have gradually improved as the fish aged.

The number of white sucker caught in 2014 was the lowest seen in this lake historically, although it was within the usual range for the lake class. The average size of white sucker was also the lowest in the lake's assessment history.

Small-mesh (0.25-inch) trap nets used in this survey caught a few small pumpkinseed sunfish and numerous golden shiners. Additional small species have been caught in previous surveys and are likely still present in the lake. Small-mesh trap nets also collected average numbers of young-of-year yellow perch, and high numbers of young-of-year white sucker. No young-of-year walleye were captured.

Are there any state parks near Crescent Lake?