The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Braidwood Lake
Will County, Illinois · 2,540 acres (4 sq mi)
62°F water, windy Friday (15 mph N).
About Braidwood Lake
Braidwood Lake spreads over 2,540 acres in Will County, Illinois. Braidwood Lake is a 2,540-acre cooling pond built to supply condenser cooling water to the Braidwood nuclear power plant.
It stretches about 2.8 miles end to end with roughly 26 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 590 ft above sea level. Braidwood is about 1.6 miles north. Joliet, the nearest city, is about 20 miles north.
- Size
- 2,540 acres (4 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 26 miles
- End to end
- About 2.8 miles
- Elevation
- About 590 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- County
- Will County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Sunday Good
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
- 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 0 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Braidwood Lake
The fish here: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, striped bass, crappie, walleye and muskie. With the surface at 62°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodLargemouth bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- GoodSmallmouth bass
Prime range. Rocky points, humps and drop-offs.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
- GoodStriped bass
Comfortable range. Watch for birds and surface feeding.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:38 am · sunset 4:35 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Braidwood Lake
- Braidwoodabout 1.6 mi north
- Central Cityabout 2 mi northwest
- Diamondabout 3.6 mi north
- Gardnerabout 3.7 mi southwest
- Jolietnearest city, about 20 mi north
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Questions about Braidwood Lake
What fish are in Braidwood Lake?
Braidwood Lake holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, striped bass, crappie, walleye and muskie. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Braidwood Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Braidwood Lake?
2,540 acres, with about 26 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Braidwood Lake?
Braidwood is about 1.6 miles north; Central City is about 2 miles northwest.
What is the water temperature at Braidwood Lake today?
The surface was about 62°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Braidwood Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
