Fishing in Winnebago County, Illinois
County seat: Rockford. Population 285,350.
- 6lake pages
- 22IDNR launches
- 8river pages
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Fishing Winnebago County, the Prairie State snapshot
Winnebago County counted 285,350 residents in 2020 and runs its county business from Rockford. IDNR's map labels the loaner sites in this county with the IDNR fishing map's Chicago/Northeast Illinois grouping.
The county has 6 lake guides; Baumann Park Lake covers the most water. County lines hold 22 public launches by IDNR's count. Shore anglers get 3 fishing piers from the 2019 IDNR asset inventory. IDNR stocking rows for county waters number 59 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 Winnebago County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Picking among the Winnebago County lakes
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce Lake | 36 ft | lake | 2 | muskellunge, largemouth bass, bluegill | |
| Olson Lake | 12 ft | lake | 1 | bluegill, channel catfish, muskellunge | |
| Baumann Park Lake | 26 | 22 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
| Levings Lake | 26 | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, common carp | |
| Four Lakes | 19 | lake | 0 | redear sunfish, bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Lake Victoria | 17 | lake | 0 | 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 Rockford, the lake pages name largemouth bass 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 Winnebago County
- Rock River7 pool pages, 23 IDNR-mapped ramps, 9 USGS gauges
- Kishwaukee RiverIFishIllinois page, 10 IDNR-mapped ramps, 5 USGS gauges
- Rock River, Fordham Poolpool of the Rock River, IFishIllinois page, 9 IDNR-mapped ramps, 4 USGS gauges
- Pecatonica RiverIFishIllinois page, 7 IDNR-mapped ramps, 2 USGS gauges
- Rock River, Oregon Poolpool of the Rock River, IFishIllinois page, 1 IDNR-mapped ramp, 1 USGS gauge
- Rock River, Rockton Poolpool of the Rock River, IFishIllinois page
- Rock River, Steel Dam Tailwaterspool of the Rock River, IFishIllinois page
- South Branch Kishwaukee River (Winnebago County)2 USGS gauges
Further streams through Winnebago County (1)
- Sugar River1 IDNR-mapped ramp
Running water measured in Winnebago County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Rock River At Rockton, Il | 4,000 cfs, 4.68 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:30 pm |
| Pecatonica River Nr Shirland, Ill | 1,600 cfs, 5.53 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
| Kishwaukee River Near Perryville, Il | 729 cfs, 6.33 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:30 pm |
| Rock River At Latham Park, Il | 4.74 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:30 pm |
| Rock River At Auburn St At Rockford | 2.90 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Rock River Above Dam At Rockford, Il | 2.37 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
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.
NWS gauge readings near Winnebago County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock River at Rockford (Fordam Dam) | 2.35 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:00:00 UTC |
| Rock River at Rockford (Auburn Street) | 2.88 ft | 4.72 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| Kishwaukee River near Perryville | 6.81 ft | 1.08 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Rock River at Latham Park | 4.69 ft | 3.94 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Kishwaukee River at Belvidere | 2.33 ft | 0.526 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 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 Winnebago County
- Olson Lake Boat RampOlson Lake, launch
- Kishwaukee River Atwood Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchKishwaukee River, launch
- Kishwaukee River Baumann Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchKishwaukee River, launch
- Kishwaukee River Espenscheid FP Canoe/Kayak LaunchKishwaukee River, launch
- Kishwaukee River Hinchliff Canoe/Kayak LaunchKishwaukee River, launch
- Kishwaukee River Kishwaukee River FP Canoe/Kayak LaunchKishwaukee River, launch
- Pecatonica River Forest Preserve Boat RampPecatonica River, launch
- Pecatonica River Sumner Park Boat RampPecatonica River, launch
- Pecatonica River Trask Bridge Boat RampPecatonica River, launch
- Pierce Lake Boat RampPierce Lake, launch
- Pierce Lake North Boat RampPierce Lake, launch
- Rock River – Fordham Pool Atwood Forest Preserve Boat RampRock River, Fordham Pool, launch
- Rock River – Fordham Pool Hononegah Forest Preserve Boat RampRock River, Fordham Pool, launch
- Rock River – Fordham Pool Mactown Boat RampRock River, Fordham Pool, launch
- Rock River – Fordham Pool Martin Park Boat RampRock River, Fordham Pool, launch
- Rock River – Fordham Pool MercyHealth Sportscore Boat RampRock River, Fordham Pool, launch
- Rock River – Fordham Pool Prairie Street Boat RampRock River, Fordham Pool, launch
- Rock River – Fordham Pool Riverside Park Boat RampRock River, Fordham Pool, launch
- Rock River – Fordham Pool Rockton Boat RampRock River, Fordham Pool, launch
- Rock River – Fordham Pool Stones Landing Boat RampRock River, Fordham Pool, launch
- S BR Kishwaukee River Oak Ridge FP Canoe/Kayak LaunchS BR Kishwaukee River, launch
- Sugar River Yale Bridge Boat RampSugar River, launch
1 launch listed launches sit on water without its own guide on this site.
Bank access across Winnebago County
- Ada Fishing Pier on Pierce Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Rock Cut
- Rock Cut Fishing Pier on Olson Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Rock Cut
- Rock Cut Fishing Pier on Pierce Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Rock Cut
IDNR assets here add 5 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.
IDNR stockings across Winnebago County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Baumann Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 5,239 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Four Lakes | Bluegill | 9,947 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Four Lakes | Largemouth Bass | 525 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Four Lakes | Rainbow Trout | 1,636 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Levings Lake | Bluegill | 9,947 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Levings Lake | Largemouth Bass | 663 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Olson Lake | Channel Catfish | 760 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Olson Lake | Muskellunge | 51 | Adult |
| 2026 | Pierce Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,865 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Pierce Lake | Muskellunge | 174 | Adult |
| 2026 | Pierce Lake | Walleye | 10,080 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Baumann Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 504 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Baumann Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 2,105 | Adult |
| 2025 | Baumann Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 2,906 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Four Lakes | Bluegill | 8,780 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Four Lakes | Largemouth Bass | 525 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Four Lakes | Rainbow Trout | 2,081 | Adult |
| 2025 | Levings Lake | Bluegill | 6,757 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Levings Lake | Largemouth Bass | 680 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Olson Lake | Channel Catfish | 720 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Olson Lake | Muskellunge | 45 | Adult |
| 2025 | Pierce Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,220 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Pierce Lake | Muskellunge | 165 | Adult |
| 2025 | Pierce Lake | Smallmouth Bass | 5,148 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Pierce Lake | Walleye | 10,776 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Baumann Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 516 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Baumann Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 2,603 | Adult |
| 2024 | Four Lakes | Bluegill | 4,161 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Four Lakes | Channel Catfish | 340 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Four Lakes | Largemouth Bass | 1,622 | 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.
Statewide creel rows for Winnebago County anglers
The statewide table covers Winnebago 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 Winnebago County (11)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Baumann Park Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Baumann Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Baumann Park Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Baumann Park Lake | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) |
| Four Lakes | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Four Lakes | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Four Lakes | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Four Lakes | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) |
| Kent Creek | Trout | Catch and Release Fishing Only (9) |
| Lake Victoria | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Lake Victoria | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Victoria | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Levings Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Levings Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Levings Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Olson Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Olson Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Olson Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Pecatonica River and Tributaries | Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Pierce 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). Sport fishermen may take carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears during May and June |
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 Winnebago County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | hook and line | 15 lbs 1 oz | Pecatonica River | March 11, 2012 |
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 Winnebago County
- Winnebago County Forest Preserve District5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, (815) 877-6100
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 Winnebago County
Buying bait in Winnebago County
- Angler's Edge Fishing and Marinefly shop, Loves Park
- Rockford Baitbait and tackle shop, Rockford
- Dick's Sporting Goods Rockfordsporting goods store, Rockford
- Marina Health Care Consultants Incmarina, Rockford
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 Winnebago County shoreline
Home bases inside Winnebago County
- Rockfordpop. 148,655
- Loves Parkpop. 23,397
- Machesney Parkpop. 22,950
- Roscoepop. 10,983
- South Beloitpop. 7,989
- Rocktonpop. 7,863
- Winnebagopop. 2,940
- Cherry Valleypop. 2,905
- Pecatonicapop. 2,090
- Durandpop. 1,390
Counties sharing a border with Winnebago County
- Boone County17 miles east
- Ogle County22 miles south
- Stephenson County26 miles west
- McHenry County36 miles east
Piscifun picks ahead of a trip to Winnebago County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Timber, cornfield and water around Winnebago County through a lens
Photo: Seclusive Nature, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Jakes, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Tracy, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Fishing around Winnebago County: the usual questions
How many IDNR boat launches sit inside Winnebago County?
There are 22 launches, such as Olson Lake Boat Ramp.
What is the biggest lake reaching into Winnebago County?
Baumann Park Lake, at 26 acres by the IDNR listing.
Which fish come up most on lakes near Winnebago County?
Largemouth bass tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, channel catfish and black crappie.
Where can I pick up live bait in Winnebago County?
There are 4, Angler's Edge Fishing and Marine among them.
Which Winnebago County libraries lend fishing rods?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with Winnebago County Forest Preserve District in Rockford.
Where do Winnebago County officials keep the courthouse?
It is Rockford.
Which license do I need for Winnebago 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 Winnebago County?
By distance: Boone County, Ogle County and Stephenson County.
Which Winnebago County waters carry their own limits?
The digest lists 11 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Baumann Park Lake; the table above shows each.
Does IDNR stock fish in Winnebago County?
The IDNR table carries 59 rows; the newest lists 10,080 Walleye, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Pierce Lake.
Does any Winnebago County water hold a state record?
Walleye, 15 lbs 1 oz, March 11, 2012 (hook and line), from Pecatonica River.
Hook up the trailer and head into Winnebago County
Read the site-specific rules before keeping fish.