Comlara Park - Evergreen Lake is open year-a-round and provides many winter activities intended to entertain McLean County residents. Camping at Comlara Park is open all year.

Ice Fishing
Everything You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Evergreen Lake

No need to stay inside during the long winter months waiting for the sun to come out dreaming about open water and summer fun. Be adventurous, bundle up, get outside and try fishing in a whole new way--through the ice!

Imagine this. You and a friend bundle up and walk out onto a frozen lake on a clear and crisp winter day with your sled full of fishing gear and the fishing license in your pocket. Once you find the perfect fishing spot, you drill a large hole completely through the ice until you can see open water. Now, you unpack your sled and find your special lures, jigging rods or tip-ups to catch the fish. You will probably want to get out your portable seat to sit on so that you can look down the hole to see what's happening. Then, you grab the skimmer to keep the hole clear of the ice and slush that forms during the day. Once your line is set, you'll need to keep a close eye on it or watch for the flag on the tip-up to see if you've caught a fish. When your hands get cold, you grab for the thermos of hot chocolate you brought along, mmmm, just what you need to warm up. What a great day of fishing!

People enjoy it for the solitude of being out on a frozen lake and the challenge of the sport. Why not try ice fishing and open your senses to an exciting winter event. You must carry your license with you when you're fishin', summer or winter. Be sure to get a copy of the current Illinois Fishing Regulations to find out about restrictions, special regulations, new changes and general statewide regulations. It is your best guide to staying within the law and having the most fun out on the ice! Look below to find information to help you get ready for your ice fishing adventure.

Stay on Top of It!
All ice activities on Evergreen Lake are at the visitor's own risk. The Department does not designate any specific area(s) of the Lake as safe for this activity. Winter activities are always safer with a partner. Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you'll return.

You don't want to be walking on "thin ice" with this sport! A rule of thumb is to be sure the ice is at least 4 inches thick. Be sure and check ice conditions before heading out and follow a path if there is one. Because ice thickness can vary across an area, check more than one spot. In spring, "rotten" ice, no matter how reliable it looks under that fluffy snow, can give way easily. Watch out for holes in the ice or open water. Remember this rule of thumb:
"Thick and blue, tried and true. Thin and crispy, way too risky."

Who's Hot and Who's Not?
The object of choosing clothes for ice fishing is to dress to stay warm in any type of weather. The old saying goes "You can always peel off layers if you're too hot."

Creature Comforts
Ice shanties are small shelters which can help keep you out of the wind and blowing snow as you fish. Only portable shelters are permitted on Evergreen Lake and are required to be removed at the end of each day. Inside, some anglers use heaters to keep warm. Others use small burners outside on the ice to warm their hands or to keep them warm as they sit to fish. As always, use caution with any heater. Remember, moving around can help you keep warm. . A well-insulated jug of hot chocolate or soup is always a great treat out on the ice and it will keep you energized to stay out if the fish are really biting.

portions of above courtesy Wisconsin DNR

Cross County Skiing
Cross County Skiing is provided at Comlara Park when weather conditions permit. The McLean County Department of Parks and Recreation regularly grooms the ski trails when snowfall is appropriate.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING CONDITIONS
When using this report to plan your cross-country ski trips, please check the day and time of the last update and keep in mind weather and trail conditions can change quickly. Staff and volunteers provide updated information for this site every Thursday during the ski season - weather and trail conditions may change after each update. In the case of significant condition changes, this site may updated as soon as possible following reports

Staff provides trail breaking on limited trails as weather and temperature conditions permit. The department does not have mechanical grooming equipment. All trail breaking is done manually. Please remember that after a significant fresh snowfall, trails will not be broke immediately.

Remember . . . "Expect the best, but prepare for the worst! "