Choose another river

Des Plaines River


©Illinois State Water Survey

Location: The Des Plaines River, the longest stream within the Chicago region, flows southward for 133 miles (105 miles in Illinois) through southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. It eventually meets the Kankakee River southwest of Joliet to form the Illinois River, a significant tributary of the Mississippi River.

Description: At its widest point, the Des Plaines River is approximately 180 feet wide. The narrower sections are closer to 30 feet wide. The average width of the river is between 40 and 100 feet. Depth varies from location to location, but the average depth of the Des Plaines River is 3 feet during normal water levels.

The Des Plaines River is easily fished from shore, canoe/kayak or by wading. Much of the bottom is a combination of rock and silt, so care should be taken when wading.

 Fisheries Fact Sheet

Click on image for expanded view.

 Basin Report:

Click on image to download report.


Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Good

Although widespread throughout the Des Plaines, abundance was higher at the upstream, lower gradient locations, particularly at Wadsworth and Belvidere Roads. However, quality-sized fish made up only 12% of the catch.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

Catch rates throughout the river were 25/hr. Larger fish were more abundant downstream of Riverside, especially at Lemont Road and Isle La Cache.

NORTHERN PIKE

Excellent

Catch rates were 4/hr throughout the river. Sizes ranged from 6-26". Fourteen of 41 Pike were > 21".

ROCK BASS

Good

Catch rates throughout the river were 20 fish/hr. Highest catch rates were found at the former Dam #2, Riverside and Lemont road.

SAUGER

Good

IDNR has stocked an average of 19,000 2-inch fingerlings per year since 2000, primarily in the lower river. Catch rates ranged from 4-21/hr in higher gradient areas, with fish ranging from 6-19" in length.

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Fair

Catch rate was over 120/hr in 2020 at Isle La Cache, near Romeoville - a record high for the Des Plaines River. All size classes were present with 15/hr in the 14 - 16" size range. Young-of-the-year were abundant indicating very good reproduction, which was a first for the previously degraded river.


Note: The upper Des Plaines River runs primarily through forest preserve property of Cook County, IL and Lake County, IL. Much of the shoreline is on property owned by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and the Lake County Forest Preserve District. Some portions do run through land that is not publicly owned so please be aware of signs indicating private property. There are many access points on the river, as well as Kayak/Canoe launch points:

   Click on image for expanded view.

River Access Areas

Canoe/Kayak launch areas

Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area Information

There were 47 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.

Species Total Fish Caught
Common Carp 128
Largemouth Bass 2165
Smallmouth Bass 125

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1     4.88 lbs
2     4.75 lbs
3     4.68 lbs
4     4.62 lbs
5     4.44 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1 244.25 lbs
2 239.34 lbs
3 223.00 lbs
4 181.25 lbs
5 150.50 lbs


Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.

Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.

2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
March-3025678ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
March-3125568ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
April-0625679ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-0726349ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1325680ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-2025298ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
80Largemouth Bass
YesYes
April-27
*April-28
25337ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
75Largemouth Bass
YesYes
April-2725681ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-0225807ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-0226303ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
24Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Buffalo
Spotted Bass
YesYes
May-0425006ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
May-0525024ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-0925808ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-1825170ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-2325809ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-2625100ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-3025810ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0225121ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0625811ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-08
*June-09
26128ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
75Largemouth Bass
YesYes
June-0925110ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1325812ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2225180ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
June-2325388ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
June-2725813ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2925017ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
June-3025025ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-0626864ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-0725039ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-1125815ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-1325192ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-1425147ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-2125049ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-2525816ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-2726223ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
July-2825041ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-0125817ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-0425186ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-0825818ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-1026789ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-1125064ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-2225819ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-2525071ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-2525108ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
85Largemouth Bass
YesYes
August-2925820ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
September-0825083ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
September-1525214ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
October-1925802ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
October-2625803ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
November-0225804ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
November-0325571ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
November-1625805ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
November-2325806ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes