Fishing in Grundy County, Illinois
County seat: Morris. Population 52,533.
- 11lake pages
- 6IDNR launches
- 6river pages
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The basics of fishing Grundy County
Morris serves as seat of Grundy County, a county of 52,533 people by the 2020 Census. Its tackle loaner sites sit in the IDNR fishing map's Chicago/Northeast Illinois grouping on the IDNR IFishIllinois map.
Heidecke Lake leads the 11 lake guides inside the county by surface acres. Trailer anglers can pick from 6 public launches on the IDNR layers. IDNR maps 1 fishing pier in the county for walk-up fishing. The IDNR stocking table lists 56 stocking rows for waters in the county from 2021 to 2026.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Pin map of the fishing spots in Grundy County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes and reservoirs inside Grundy County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heidecke Lake | 1,955 | lake | 1 | channel catfish, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass | |
| I & M Canal | 164 | lake | 2 | flathead catfish, channel catfish, bluegill | |
| North Unit Lakes (Mazonia SFWA) | lake | 0 | |||
| Bullhead Lake (Mazonia 7) | 33 | lake | 0 | channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill | |
| South Unit Lakes (Mazonia SFWA) | lake | 0 | |||
| Clear Lake (Mazonia 10) | 29 | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow bullhead | |
| Bass Lake (Mazonia 3) | 28 | lake | 1 | bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass | |
| Carp Lake (Mazonia 8) | 18 | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish | |
| Goose Lake (Mazonia 6) | 10 | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, yellow bullhead, channel catfish | |
| Gebhard Woods Ponds 1-3 | 2 | pond | 1 | ||
| Gar Lake (Mazonia) | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, bluegill |
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. Launch counts from the IDNR map and 2019 inventory; acres left blank where the IDNR page text disagrees with its listing.
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Inside 50 miles of Morris, largemouth bass appears on more lake pages than any other fish.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings, species named on IFishIllinois pages, the IDNR stocking table and state records, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a survey of fish numbers.
River pages filed under Grundy County
- Illinois River6 pool pages, 33 IDNR-mapped ramps, 10 USGS gauges
- Des Plaines RiverIFishIllinois page, 15 IDNR-mapped ramps, 12 USGS gauges
- Kankakee RiverIFishIllinois page, 5 IDNR-mapped ramps, 4 USGS gauges
- Illinois River, Marseilles Poolpool of the Illinois River, IFishIllinois page, 1 IDNR-mapped ramp, 3 USGS gauges
- Illinois River, Dresden Island Poolpool of the Illinois River, IFishIllinois page
- Mazon River1 USGS gauge
Grundy County streams shown only here (2)
- East Fork Mazon Riverriver
- West Fork Mazon Riverriver
USGS stations streaming data from Grundy County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River At Morris, Il | 5,370 cfs, 5.23 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Aux Sable Creek Near Morris, Il | 37 cfs, 3.05 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
| Mazon River Near Coal City, Il | 23 cfs, 1.28 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Kankakee R At Inflow Of Power Plant Nr Lorenzo, Il | 504.51 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
| Hanson Gravel Pit At Culvert Near Morris, Il | -76 cfs | Dec 11 4:45 pm Not updated since Dec 11, 2021. |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 12:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDNR IFishIllinois river and pool pages, USGS GNIS names, IDNR map launches and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 4, 2026.
Stage and flow notes near Grundy County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois River at Morris | 5.11 ft | 4.91 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| Aux Sable Creek near Morris | 3.21 ft | 0.0562 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Mazon River near Coal City | 1.43 ft | 0.0345 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 17:45:00 UTC |
| Illinois River at Dresden Lock (tailwater) | 483.4 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Kankakee River near Lorenzo | 504.63 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
The Weather Service values show the time they were taken and do not refresh.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Public launches inside Grundy County
- Heidecke Lake South Side Main Boat RampHeidecke Lake, IDNR note: Ramp inside of breakwall
- Illinois River – Marseilles Stratton Park Boat Ramp, Morris on Gebhard Woods Ponds 1-3Gebhard Woods Ponds 1-3, concrete, 1 lane ramp
- Mazonia 3 – Bass Lake Boat RampBass Lake (Mazonia 3), launch
- Mazonia 6 – Goose Lake Boat RampGoose Lake (Mazonia 6), launch
- Mazonia 7 – Bullhead Lake Boat Ramp on Carp Lake (Mazonia 8)Carp Lake (Mazonia 8), launch
- Mazonia 8 – Carp Lake Boat Ramp on Gar Lake (Mazonia)Gar Lake (Mazonia), launch
Shore fishing across Grundy County
- Bankfishing Fishing Pier on Heidecke Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Heidecke Lake
The asset list adds 7 boat docks.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026. IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Stocking table rows for Grundy County waters
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Carp Lake (Mazonia 8) | Bluegill x Green Sunfish | 1,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Heidecke Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 17,377 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Heidecke Lake | Walleye | 105,682 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | Northern Pike | 1,053 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | Sauger | 55,575 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | Sauger | 1,293,000 | Not Specified |
| 2026 | Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | Smallmouth Bass | 25,068 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Kankakee River | Walleye | 114,558 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Kankakee River | Walleye | 435,000 | Not Specified |
| 2026 | Carp Lake (Mazonia 8) | Channel Catfish | 500 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Carp Lake (Mazonia 8) | Channel Catfish | 1,100 | Adult |
| 2025 | Heidecke Lake | Muskellunge | 1,959 | Adult |
| 2025 | Heidecke Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 21,232 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Heidecke Lake | Walleye | 102,815 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | Northern Pike | 1,245 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | Sauger | 29,101 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | Sauger | 952,000 | Not Specified |
| 2025 | Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | Smallmouth Bass | 3,165 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | Smallmouth Bass | 29,504 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Kankakee River | Walleye | 108,294 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Kankakee River | Walleye | 407,000 | Not Specified |
| 2025 | Goose Lake (Mazonia 6) | Bluegill | 6,294 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Goose Lake (Mazonia 6) | Largemouth Bass | 514 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Goose Lake (Mazonia 6) | Redear Sunfish | 4,757 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Heidecke Lake | Blacknose Crappie | 45,021 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Heidecke Lake | Blue Catfish | 268 | Adult |
| 2024 | Heidecke Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 19,775 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Heidecke Lake | Walleye | 118,585 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | I & M Canal | Largemouth Bass | 2,754 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | I & M Canal | Redear Sunfish | 1,376 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; rows reach the county through the water they name.
The 2026 digest rows for Grundy County water
A Grundy County water without a digest entry uses these statewide limits. IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
| Species | Daily limit | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Grundy County waters carrying digest exceptions (7)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Heidecke Lake | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (13) |
| Heidecke Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Heidecke Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Heidecke Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Heidecke Lake | Pure Muskellunge | 48 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Heidecke Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 Fish greater than or equal to 17 inches |
| Heidecke Lake | Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye | 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Heidecke Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Illinois & Michigan Canal | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Illinois & Michigan Canal | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Illinois & Michigan Canal | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Illinois & Michigan Canal | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) |
| Illinois River | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 12 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Illinois River – Pool 26 | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (11) |
| Illinois River – Starved Rock Pool | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Illinois River – Starved Rock Pool | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Kankakee River | 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 |
| Mazonia Lakes & Ponds | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Mazonia Lakes & Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Mazonia Lakes & Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
The heaviest Illinois fish near Grundy County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redear Sunfish | hook and line | 3 lbs 1.1 oz | Beaver Lake (PRKFWA) | May 19, 2018 |
| Rock Bass | hook and line | 1 lb 10 oz | Auxsable Creek | May 5, 1987 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Tournament launches in Grundy County
Organizers list 3 events on Grundy County water, with 0 still coming.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Des Plaines River – Big Basin Marina (2025-26) | Des Plaines River | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| May 22, 2025 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Des Plaines River – Big Basin Marina (2024-25) | Des Plaines River | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| May 4, 2025 | IBN Team Series Des Plaines River 2025 | Des Plaines River | Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation |
Organizer schedule and results pages (IDNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked November 2026.
Free loaner tackle in Grundy County
- I & M Canal State Trail Gebhard Woods402 Ottawa Street, Morris, (815) 942-0796
IDNR runs these as free rod and reel loans, mostly at libraries, parks and offices.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Buying bait inside Grundy County
Crawlers, line and lures in Grundy County
- Bedford Sales & Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Morris
- Jon's Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, South Wilmington
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings; guide and charter association pages (matched by the waters they list or their county), read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Grundy County
Town fishing pages across Grundy County
- Morrispop. 14,163
- Channahonpop. 13,383
- Minookapop. 12,758
- Coal Citypop. 5,705
- Diamondpop. 2,640
- Gardnerpop. 1,366
Counties bordering Grundy County
- Kendall County20 miles north
- Will County24 miles northeast
- LaSalle County25 miles west
- Livingston County29 miles south
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Grundy County
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Timber, cornfield and water around Grundy County through a lens
Photo: chumlee10, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joseph Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Brian Plunkett, CC BY 2.0
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What anglers want to know about Grundy County water
Does Grundy County have a public ramp on the IDNR map?
IDNR lists 6 launches; one is Heidecke Lake South Side Main Boat Ramp.
Which impoundment in Grundy County covers the most ground?
Heidecke Lake, at 1,955 acres by the IDNR listing.
What swims in the lakes near Grundy County?
Largemouth bass tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, channel catfish and black crappie.
Where does a Grundy County angler buy crawlers and minnows?
Try Bedford Sales & Outdoors; 2 are listed.
Does Grundy County have an IDNR tackle loaner site?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with I & M Canal State Trail Gebhard Woods in Morris.
Which town runs Grundy County county business?
County government sits in Morris.
How much does a nonresident pay to fish in Grundy County?
IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
Which counties lie a short drive past Grundy County?
Closest by centre point: Kendall County, Will County and LaSalle County.
How many trail events list Grundy County water?
Organizers posted 3 events for this county, and none is scheduled ahead yet.
Which site-specific entries reach Grundy County?
The digest lists 7 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Heidecke Lake; the table above shows each.
Are Grundy County lakes stocked?
The IDNR table carries 56 rows; the newest lists 1,293,000 Sauger, Not Specified (2026) in Illinois River – Marseilles Pool.
Which IDNR record lines name Grundy County?
Redear Sunfish, 3 lbs 1.1 oz, May 19, 2018 (hook and line), from Beaver Lake.
Give Grundy County water a whole weekend
Lake pages carry launches, IDNR ratings and digest rules.