The 948-acre Mallard Lake Forest Preserve in Hanover Park features trails and opportunities for picnicking, boating and fishing, including two wheelchair-accessible piers and a boardwalk that's ideal for birdwatching. The 85-acre Mallard Lake is the District's largest recreational lake.
Mallard Lake features open waters, wetlands, fields and scattered woodlands that are home to wildlife such as beavers, great blue herons, bullfrogs, eastern meadowlarks, bobolinks, red-tailed hawks and kestrels.
The main parking lot is on Schick Road west of Gary Avenue. A second lot is on Greenbrook Boulevard 0.6 mile east of County Farm Road.
Mallard Lake has 4 miles of trails, including a 2.5-mile trail system with a boardwalk that is ideal for birdwatching. It winds around the lake and over two bridges and connects to Hawk Hollow Forest Preserve, the North Central DuPage Regional Trail and the Bartlett Park District trail system.
Mallard Lake has dozens of picnic tables and grassy areas where you can spread a blanket. Ground fires are not allowed, but you can bring grills. (The preserve has hot-coal containers for charcoal.)
Groups can also reserve the 50-person picnic shelter. Details are on our Picnicking page.
Fish for largemouth bass, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, crappie, northern pike, and muskie at the 85-acre Mallard Lake, or try your luck along the West Branch DuPage River or at the 9-acre Cloverdale Pond.
Anglers 16 or older who are not legally disabled must carry valid Illinois fishing licenses. Lake maps and regulations, including creel limits and minimum lengths, are on our Fishing page.
Notice — The Forest Preserve District has found nonnative, invasive zebra mussels at Mallard Lake at Mallard Lake Forest Preserve. You can help stop their spread no matter where you fish.
Explore Mallard Lake in your canoe, kayak or other select nongasoline-powered watercraft but need to have a Forest Preserve District permit in your possession.
Mallard Lake Forest Preserve is located on the Valparaiso Moraine, a ridgeline left behind by the Wisconsin Glacier’s retreat into Lake Michigan 10,000 years ago. During the 1950s, gravel and peat were mined from the area. In 1956, the District received a 111-acre land donation at the site to create Mallard Lake. During the 1960s, the District purchased several large areas to increase the preserve’s size.
In 1974, DuPage County’s need for solid-waste disposal prompted the District to establish a landfill at the forest preserve. Landfill operations at the site ceased in 1999.
Natural Scene
Driving Directions
Trails
Picnicking
Fishing
Boating
History
The preserve is open daily from one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset. Dogs must be on leashes under 10 feet long, and alcohol is prohibited. Read our Rules & Regulations.
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-933-7200
forest@dupageforest.org
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Forest Preserve District is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. Contact 630-933-7683 or TTY 800-526-0857.