Kankakee River
Info / Counties: Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle, Multiple Counties, Will
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
No
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
No
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 0 acres
Fishing Outlook
Smallmouth Bass
Very Good
One of the best Smallmouth Bass rivers in the State. The hot spots are Momence and Kankakee River State Park where fall boat electrofishing catch rates ranged from 94 to 176/hr. Catch rates for Smallmouth >14in. were between 15 and 20/hr. Reproduction has been strong in 2 of the last 3 years.
Walleye
Excellent
The IDNR stocking program, which releases 90,000 fingerlings per year, has produced an excellent fishery. Spring electrofishing catch rates average 33/hr. Grood fish males averaged 18" while females averaged 22". Females often exceed 26". Summer catch rates have also been higher in recent years.
Channel Catfish
Very Good
It's hard to find a better place to fish for channel cats. they are common throughout the river with a mean electrofishing catch rate of 11/hr. sizes ranged from 8 - 30", with a catch rate of 7/hr for Channel Catfish > 20". Hot spots in 2020 were Warner Bridge and Wilmington
| 2026 | Walleye | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 73710 |
| 2026 | Walleye | Not Specified | 435000 |
| 2025 | Walleye | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 108294 |
| 2025 | Walleye | Not Specified | 407000 |
| 2024 | Walleye | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 113504 |
Contact
Description
Flowing for a total of 59 miles in Illinois , the Kankakee River contains 3 dams and twelve larger tributary streams, including the Iroquois River. The upper river is low gradient, running through the Momence wetlands, a high quality floodplain forest. Downstream of the Kankakee, the gradient increases, flowing over bedrock and cobble through the Kankakee River State Park and past Wilmington, joining the Des Plaines to form the Illinois River.
An angler can fish from a canoe or jon boat, try his luck from shore or wade the stream. Caution must be used, since there are sharp dropoffs and deep holes in the river.
The Kankakee is predominantly a clear, shallow stream with gravel-rubble riffles, sand-bottom pools and swampy marsh areas along the upper portion. Larger pools are formed by dams at Momence, Kankakee and Wilmington, as well as by the Dresden Lock and Dam on the headwaters of the Illinois. An aquatic resource of about 3,338 acres exists on the Kankakee.
River Access: Shore access and boat ramps can be found in most of the larger towns along the river, including Momence, Aroma Park, Kankakee, and Wilmington. The Kankakee River State Park offers eleven miles of excellent river access.
Fishery History
The Kankakee River is a very high quality system, supporting a high diversity of fishes and mussels. It is well known as an excellent sport fishery for Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Rock Bass, and Northern Pike.The best smallmouth action occurs in early spring and fall. Spinners, crank baits, jigs and similar artificials are good on the spunky fish, but minnows, worms, frogs and crayfish also can produce. Riffles, creek mouths and fast water below dams are good for "bronzebacks."
Quieter areas, like backwaters of the Des Plaines Conservation Area along the river, are good spots for Largemouth Bass. Quiet water also is a good spot for Northern Pike, which also are taken behind islands and ebb areas formed by tributaries.
Site Regulations
Kankakee River and Tributaries, except as specified under site-specific regulations (see below):
- Statewide Fishing Regulations Apply
- Smallmouth Bass: 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit; All fish must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations (KANKAKEE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES)
- Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 14-inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations (FROM THE KANKAKEE DAM TO THE WILMINGTON DAM ON THE KANKAKEE RIVER, INCLUDING TRIBUTARIES)
- Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 18 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and 2 Fish less than 12 inches