Fishing in Kendall County, Illinois
County seat: Yorkville. Population 131,869.
- 2lake pages
- 8IDNR launches
- 1river pages
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Fishing Kendall County, the Prairie State snapshot
Kendall County counted 131,869 residents in 2020 and runs its county business from Yorkville. IDNR's map labels the loaner sites in this county with the IDNR fishing map's Chicago/Northeast Illinois grouping.
The county has 2 lake guides; Beaver Lake (SSFWA) covers the most water. County lines hold 8 public launches by IDNR's count. Shore anglers get 1 fishing pier from the 2019 IDNR asset inventory. IDNR stocking rows for county waters number 11 stocking rows across 2021-2026.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Lake pins and launch pins for Kendall County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Picking among the Kendall County lakes
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Lake (Loon Lake) | 20 ft | lake | 1 | smallmouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish | |
| Beaver Lake (SSFWA) | 5 | 14 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass |
Measured from Yorkville, these lake pages lie just past Kendall County.
| Lake | From Yorkville | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jericho Lake | 6 miles northeast | 21 | 26.2 ft | lake | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, black crappie |
| Prairie Road Pond | 7 miles north | 15 | pond | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie | |
| Lake Gregory | 7 miles north | 7 | 8.4 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, channel catfish, common carp |
| Turnstone Lake | 8 miles north | 7 | 10 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, common carp |
| Foxcroft Lake | 9 miles north | 8 | 4.6 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, common carp |
| Golden Oaks Pond (FVPD) | 10 miles northeast | 4 | 12 ft | pond | 0 | common carp, 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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Out to 50 miles from Yorkville, the lake pages name bluegill most often.
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.
Rivers and creeks through Kendall County
- Fox RiverIFishIllinois page, 49 IDNR-mapped ramps, 12 USGS gauges
Running water measured in Kendall County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Yorkville, Il | 1,520 cfs, 12.96 ft gage height | Nov 11 10:45 pm |
| Blackberry Creek Near Yorkville, Il | 43 cfs, 3.57 ft gage height | Nov 11 10:30 pm |
| Waubonsee Creek Near Oswego, Il | 51 cfs, 8.67 ft gage height | Nov 11 11:15 pm |
| Fox River Tailwater At Yorkville, Il | 7.44 ft gage height | Nov 11 10:45 pm |
| Fox River Bypass At Yorkville, Il | 9.14 ft gage height | Nov 11 10:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 11:33 pm 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.
NWS gauge readings near Kendall County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackberry Creek at Yorkville | 3.71 ft | 0.0557 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Fox River at Yorkville (Palmer Dam) | 12.86 ft | 1.29 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| Waubonse Creek at Oswego | 8.54 ft | 0.0423 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Blackberry Creek at Montgomery | 3.81 ft | 0.0448 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Fox River at Montgomery | 11.54 ft | 1.15 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
Each line is one dated reading taken when this page was built, not a live feed.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Boat ramps in Kendall County
- Big Lake (Loon Lake) Boat RampBig Lake (Loon Lake), concrete ramp
- Fox River Hudson Crossing Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch
- Fox River Marge Cline Whitewater Course Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch
- Fox River Saw Wee Kee Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch
- Fox River Shuh Shuh Gah FP Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch
- Fox River Silver Springs Boat RampFox River, launch
- Fox River Violet Patch Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch
- Fox River Yorkeville Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch
Bank access across Kendall County
- Handicapped Fishing Pier on Beaver Lake (SSFWA)fishing pier, IDNR site: Silver Springs
IDNR assets here add 1 boat dock.
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.
IDNR stockings across Kendall County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Channel Catfish | 375 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Rainbow Trout | 1,900 | Adult |
| 2026 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Rainbow Trout | 3,800 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Redear Sunfish | 34 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Channel Catfish | 378 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Rainbow Trout | 2,470 | Adult |
| 2025 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Redear Sunfish | 69 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Channel Catfish | 225 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Redear Sunfish | 79 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2023 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Channel Catfish | 376 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Big Lake (Loon Lake) | Channel Catfish | 376 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
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.
Statewide creel rows for Kendall County anglers
The statewide table covers Kendall County; any water with its own digest entry is listed after it. The 2026 IDNR fee list puts the annual license at $15 for Illinoisans and $31.50 for out-of-staters.
| 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 |
Exceptions to statewide limits in Kendall County (5)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Foli Park Pond | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Foli Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Fox River | Flathead Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 28 inches and 2 Fish less than 28 inches |
| Fox River | Smallmouth Bass | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and 2 Fish less than 12 inches; All Smallmouth Bass must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15 |
| Fox River | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Leifheit Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Leifheit Lake | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Leifheit Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Leifheit Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Silver Springs State Park Lakes and Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Silver Springs State Park Lakes and Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Silver Springs State Park Lakes and Ponds | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7) Spring Closed Season (8) |
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.
State record catches near Kendall County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shorthead Redhorse | hook and line | 4 lbs 12.8 oz | Big Rock Creek | April 9, 2021 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Loaner rods at libraries and parks in Kendall County
- City of Plano-Village Hall17 E. Main Street, Plano, (630) 552-8275
Each site lends fishing gear for free through the IDNR loaner program.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Tackle counters across Kendall County
Buying bait in Kendall County
- Dick's Sporting Goods Oswegosporting goods store, Oswego
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.
Around the Kendall County shoreline
Home bases inside Kendall County
- Oswegopop. 34,585
- Yorkvillepop. 21,533
- Montgomerypop. 20,262
- Planopop. 11,847
- Boulder Hillpop. 8,394
Counties sharing a border with Kendall County
- Grundy County20 miles south
- Kane County24 miles north
- Will County25 miles east
- DuPage County25 miles northeast
Piscifun picks ahead of a trip to Kendall County
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A photo field guide to Kendall County fish
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Richard Hurd, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Argyleist, CC BY 2.0
Fishing around Kendall County: the usual questions
How many IDNR boat launches sit inside Kendall County?
There are 8 launches, such as Big Lake (Loon Lake) Boat Ramp.
What is the biggest lake reaching into Kendall County?
Beaver Lake (SSFWA), at 5 acres by the IDNR listing.
Which fish come up most on lakes near Kendall County?
Bluegill tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, channel catfish and black crappie.
Where can I pick up live bait in Kendall County?
There are 1, Dick's Sporting Goods Oswego among them.
Which Kendall County libraries lend fishing rods?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with City of Plano-Village Hall in Plano.
Where do Kendall County officials keep the courthouse?
It is Yorkville.
Which license do I need for Kendall County water?
The 2026 IDNR fee list puts the annual license at $15 for Illinoisans and $31.50 for out-of-staters.
Which county guides lie next to Kendall County?
By distance: Grundy County, Kane County and Will County.
Which Kendall County waters carry their own limits?
The digest lists 5 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Foli Park Pond; the table above shows each.
Does IDNR stock fish in Kendall County?
The IDNR table carries 11 rows; the newest lists 3,800 Rainbow Trout, NonVulnerable (8 – 10") (2026) in Big Lake (Loon Lake).
Does any Kendall County water hold a state record?
Shorthead Redhorse, 4 lbs 12.8 oz, April 9, 2021 (hook and line), from Big Rock Creek.
Hook up the trailer and head into Kendall County
Read the site-specific rules before keeping fish.