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Illinois River 91 mi
Photo: Roger W, CC BY-SA 2.0 
Fox River 47 mi
Photo: David Jakes, CC BY 4.0 
Bolingbrook 12 mi
Photo: David Jakes, CC BY 4.0 
Kankakee River 26 mi
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Illinois counties
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Fishing in Will County, Illinois
County seat: Joliet. Population 696,355.
- 7lake pages
- 26IDNR launches
- 5river pages
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Will County, Illinois
Sizing up the water in Will County
Joliet is the county seat of Will County, and the 2020 Census found 696,355 people living in the county. The IDNR fishing map files the county's loaner sites under the IDNR fishing map's Chicago/Northeast Illinois grouping.
Among 7 lake pages for the county, Whalon Lake spreads over the most acres. Within the county, IDNR data shows 26 public launches. 60 stocking rows in the IDNR table name county water since 2021.
7lake pages
26IDNR launches
5river pages
60stocking rows
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Map
IDNR launches and lakes of Will County, plotted
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes
Ponds and lakes scattered across Will County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braidwood Lake | lake | 2 | flathead catfish, hybrid striped bass, channel catfish | ||
| Whalon Lake | 80 | lake | 1 | black crappie, channel catfish, walleye | |
| Lake Chaminwood | 48 | 10 ft | lake | 2 | largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill |
| Monee Reservoir | 44 | 27 ft | reservoir | 1 | channel catfish, black crappie, largemouth bass |
| Lake Milliken | 25 | 8 ft | lake | 1 | black crappie, common carp, white crappie |
| Barrington Lake (FVPD) | 3 | lake | 0 | bluegill, common carp, black crappie | |
| Van Horn Woods Pond | 3 | pond | 0 | rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish |
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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Which fish the lake pages near Will County mention
A count of nearby lake pages (to 50 miles from Joliet) puts bluegill first.
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
Creek and slough fishing in Will County
- Des Plaines RiverIFishIllinois page, 15 IDNR-mapped ramps, 12 USGS gauges
- Kankakee RiverIFishIllinois page, 5 IDNR-mapped ramps, 4 USGS gauges
- West Branch Du Page River3 USGS gauges
- East Branch Du Page River2 USGS gauges
- DuPage River5 IDNR-mapped ramps, 1 USGS gauge
Live streamflow in Will County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee River Near Wilmington, Il | 1,510 cfs, 1.31 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:45 pm |
| Des Plaines River At Route 53 At Joliet, Il | 1,980 cfs, 539.02 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:45 pm |
| Des Plaines River Near Lemont, Il | 284 cfs, 5.36 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:00 pm |
| Du Page River At Shorewood, Il | 218 cfs, 10.38 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:45 pm |
| Du Page River Near Plainfield, Il | 205 cfs, 6.91 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:45 pm |
| East Branch Du Page River At Bolingbrook, Il | 74 cfs, 14.81 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:40 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 9:33 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.
River stages
Forecast-service gauges near Will County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Du Page River at Shorewood | 10.63 ft | 0.35 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater) | 504.97 ft | 8.11 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Des Plaines River at Joliet | 539.23 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Hickory Creek at Joliet | 10.8 ft | 0.049 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport Lock (tailwater) | 539.28 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
Snapshot readings only, each with its UTC time; live USGS data sits on the river pages.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Access
State and park ramps in Will County
- Des Plaines River Big Basin Marina Boat RampDes Plaines River, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Kankakee River Conservation Area Boat Ramp on Lake MillikenLake Milliken, concrete ramp
- Kankakee River State Park Area 9 Boat RampKankakee River, cement, asphalt ramp
- Kankakee River State Park Warner Bridge Boat RampKankakee River, cement, gravel ramp
- Lake Chaminwood Carry-in Boat LaunchLake Chaminwood, IDNR note: Carry-in boats only
- Monee Reservoir Canoe/Kayak LaunchMonee Reservoir, IDNR note: Carry-in boats and electric motors only
- Braidwood Lake North Boat RampBraidwood Lake, launch
- Braidwood Lake South Boat Ramp on Doc's Club Lake (Mazonia)Doc's Club Lake (Mazonia), launch
- Briscoe Mounds Boat Ramp on I & M CanalI & M Canal, launch
- Des Plaines Boat Rampwater not named, launch
- Des Plaines River Isla Cashe Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch
- Des Plaines River McKinley Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch
- Des Plaines River McKinley Woods/Sheridan Canoe/Kayak LaunchDes Plaines River, launch
- DuPage River Eaton Preserve Canoe/Kayak LaunchDuPage River, launch
- DuPage River Hammel Woods Canoe/Kayak LaunchDuPage River, launch
- DuPage River McEvilly Road Canoe/Kayak LaunchDuPage River, launch
- DuPage River Riverside Canoe/Kayak LaunchDuPage River, launch
- DuPage River Riverview Farmstead Canoe/Kayak LaunchDuPage River, launch
- East Branch DuPage River Greenway Canoe/Kayak Launch on E Br DuPage RiverE Br DuPage River, launch
- East Branch DuPage River Trout Farm Canoe/Kayak Launch on E Br DuPage RiverE Br DuPage River, launch
- I & M Canal Bridge Street Canoe/Kayak LaunchI & M Canal, launch
- Lake Chaminwood Canoe/Kayak LaunchLake Chaminwood, launch
- Mazonia-Braidwood Boat RampBraidwood Lake, launch
- Rock Run Rookery (a.k.a. Route 6 Quarry) Boat RampRock Run Rookery (a.k.a. Route 6 Quarry), launch
- West Branch DuPage River Knock Knolls Park Canoe/Kayak Launch on W Br DuPage RiverW Br DuPage River, launch
- Whalon Lake Boat RampWhalon Lake, launch
IDNR maps 5 launches launches on waters that are rows only, not pages.
There are 4 boat docks on the IDNR asset list too.
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
IDNR stocking rows from Will County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Braidwood Lake | Blue Catfish | 23,004 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Braidwood Lake | Largemouth Bass | 6,671 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Braidwood Lake | Largemouth Bass | 39,182 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Braidwood Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 15,722 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Lake Chaminwood | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 13,885 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Lake Chaminwood | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 531,000 | Not Specified |
| 2026 | Lake Milliken | Largemouth Bass | 3,715 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Lake Milliken | Rainbow Trout | 1,174 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Van Horn Woods Pond | Rainbow Trout | 2,117 | Adult |
| 2026 | Whalon Lake | Walleye | 4,374 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Braidwood Lake | Blue Catfish | 23,040 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Braidwood Lake | Largemouth Bass | 5,840 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Braidwood Lake | Largemouth Bass | 70,904 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Braidwood Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 23,992 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Lake Chaminwood | Channel Catfish | 960 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Lake Chaminwood | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 6,025 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Lake Chaminwood | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 530,000 | Not Specified |
| 2025 | Lake Milliken | Channel Catfish | 1,055 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Lake Milliken | Rainbow Trout | 1,386 | Adult |
| 2025 | Monee Reservoir | Black Crappie | 2,500 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Monee Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 550 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Van Horn Woods Pond | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Adult |
| 2025 | Whalon Lake | Channel Catfish | 500 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Whalon Lake | Walleye | 2,170 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Braidwood Lake | Blue Catfish | 22,998 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Braidwood Lake | Largemouth Bass | 7,546 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Braidwood Lake | Largemouth Bass | 49,085 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Braidwood Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 28,030 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Lake Chaminwood | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 5,487 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Lake Milliken | Channel Catfish | 633 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
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.
Regulations
Daily and length rules covering Will County
Site-specific entries override the statewide rows on the Will County waters they name. Residents spend $15 on a year of fishing here, and anglers from away spend $31.50.
| 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 |
Where limits change in Will County (16)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Braidwood Lake | Recreational Use Restrictions Braidwood Lake is closed to all fishing and boat traffic, except for legal waterfowl hunters, from 10 days prior to duck season through the day before duck season and is closed to all fishing during waterfowl season commencing with regular duck season through the close | |
| Braidwood Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Braidwood Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Braidwood 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 |
| 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) |
| Indian Boundary South Pond | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Indian Boundary South Pond | Channel Catfish | 6 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 |
| Lake Chaminwood | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Lake Chaminwood | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Chaminwood | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Chaminwood | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Chaminwood | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Milliken | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Lake Milliken | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Milliken | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Lake Milliken | Trout | 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.
Records
Illinois record fish tied to Will County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Muskellunge | hook and line | 31 lbs 3 oz | Lake Will | Aug. 6, 2004 |
| Yellow Perch | hook and line | 2 lbs 8.75 oz | Arrowhead Club Lake | Jan. 5, 1974 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Tournaments
Weigh-in dates on Will County water
Of 3 trail and school events in Will County, 0 remain.
| 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.
Loaner tackle
Borrowing a rod in Will County
- Aurora Public Library101 S. River Street, Aurora, (630) 264-4149
- Joliet Park District2501 Highland Park Drive, Joliet, (815) 741-7277
- Monee Reservoir/Whalon27341 Ridgeland Avenue, Monee, (815) 722-9303
- New Lenox Community Park District1 Manor Drive, New Lenox, (815) 485-1737; (779) 803-3252
- Peotone Public Library District515 N. First Street, Peotone, (708) 258-3436
Borrowers sign out a rod and tackle at no cost at each site on the IDNR list.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Local help
Bait counters and guide outfits in Will County
Tackle stores in Will County
- A Baitsbait and tackle shop, Lockport
- Chicago Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Romeoville
- Lockport Fish Servicebait and tackle shop, Lockport
- Strictly Fishingbait and tackle shop, Shorewood
- Angelos Outdoor Sports Centersporting goods store, Wilmington
- Bass Pro Shops Bolingbrooksporting goods store, Bolingbrook
- Big Basin Marina Incmarina, Channahon
- Dick's Sporting Goods Jolietsporting goods store, Joliet
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tinley Parksporting goods store, Tinley Park
- Harborside Marinamarina, Wilmington
- Joliet Boat Storemarina, Joliet
- Three Rivers Marine Servicemarina, 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.
Nearby
A few miles of blacktop from Will County
Towns in Will County with a motel and a diner
- Jolietpop. 150,362
- Bolingbrookpop. 73,922
- Plainfieldpop. 44,762
- Romeovillepop. 39,863
- New Lenoxpop. 27,214
- Lockportpop. 26,094
- Homer Glenpop. 24,543
- Crest Hillpop. 20,459
- Frankfortpop. 20,296
- Mokenapop. 19,887
- Shorewoodpop. 18,186
- Manhattanpop. 9,385
- Frankfort Squarepop. 8,968
- Cretepop. 8,465
- University Parkpop. 7,145
- Braidwoodpop. 6,194
Bordering counties of Will County, with links
- Kankakee County22 miles south
- Grundy County24 miles southwest
- Kendall County25 miles northwest
- DuPage County28 miles north
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Photos
The ponds and rivers around Will County, photographed
Photo: Roger W, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David Jakes, CC BY 4.0
Photo: David Jakes, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Answers
Replies on fishing within Will County
How many IDNR-listed ramps are in Will County?
IDNR data shows 26 launches, starting with Des Plaines River Big Basin Marina Boat Ramp.
Which Will County water is the widest?
Whalon Lake, at 80 acres by the IDNR listing.
Which fish do Will County lakes hold, per IDNR?
Bluegill tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, channel catfish and black crappie.
Which Will County stores carry fishing tackle?
12 shops, starting with A Baits.
Where are loaner rods in Will County?
IDNR lists 5 loaner sites here, starting with Aurora Public Library in Aurora.
Which Illinois town holds the Will County county clerk?
Joliet is the seat.
Is a license required on Will County lakes?
Residents spend $15 on a year of fishing here, and anglers from away spend $31.50.
Which counties surround Will County?
The nearest county pages are Kankakee County, Grundy County and Kendall County.
Which trail events have used Will County water?
Organizers posted 3 events for this county, and none is scheduled ahead yet.
Do any Will County waters have site-specific rules?
The digest lists 16 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Braidwood Lake; the table above shows each.
What does the stocking table show for Will County?
The IDNR table carries 60 rows; the newest lists 531,000 Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye), Not Specified (2026) in Lake Chaminwood.
Did an Illinois record fish come out of Will County?
Tiger Muskellunge, 31 lbs 3 oz, August 6, 2004 (hook and line), from Lake Will.
Pick a lake or creek in Will County
Open a lake for its ramps and site rules.