Bird Watching

Common birds in the area include gray catbird, yellow warbler, Baltimore oriole, and indigo bunting. 

Along the Little Calumet River near the boat launch, there are large numbers of gulls, and ducks such as common mergansers and goldeneyes frequent the area’s open water in winter.

The boat launch is the site of Friends’ 2018-installed osprey nesting platform and visitors should not get to close as it will disturb the adults and young. If the adults are calling, you are too close.

For more information about birding visit the Chicago Audubon Society.

Boating

A trailered boat launch provides access to the Little Calumet River for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats and boats with trolling motors. Click here for more information about boating, canoing and kayaking.

Fishing

Flatfoot Lake is stocked with channel catfish by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Flatfoot Lake at Beaubien Woods is a 19-acre former strip mine with a maximum depth of 15.4 feet. Features an accessible fishing area on the barrier free fishing pier. Designated ice fishing lake. Click here for a fishing map.