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

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.

2024–2025 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
March-1527657ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
March-2927658ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
March-3027576ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-0527659ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-1328367PendingBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
April-1927660PendingBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
April-2628155ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
80Largemouth Bass
YesYes
April-2728150ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
85Largemouth Bass
YesYes
May-0127917ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-0427371ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-0827918ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-1727438ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-1828151ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
85Largemouth Bass
YesYes
May-2227919ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-2228183PendingBig Basin boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
YesNo
May-2527390ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-2927920ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0127273ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0527921ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0827377ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1227922ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2128355ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
June-2227367ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2627923ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-0327924ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-0627365ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1027925ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-1327275ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-1927444ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-2027363ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-2427926ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
July-2727607ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Buffalo
NoYes
July-3127927ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-0327276ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-0727928ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-1027362ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1427929ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
August-1728139ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-2327452ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
August-2427232ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
80Largemouth Bass
YesYes
August-2427298ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
August-2827930ApprovedDes Plaines SFWA boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
September-0627359ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-0727357ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-1427278ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
October-1127661ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
October-11
*October-12
27912PendingBig Basin boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
October-2527662ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
October-2627246ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
YesNo
November-0127663ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
November-0227584ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes
November-1527664ApprovedBig Basin boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoYes