Location (IDNR)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 (IDNR)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.
More from IDNRThe 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.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Species
How IDNR rates the fishing on the Des Plaines River
IDNR sources tie these species to the Des Plaines River; it is not a catch survey.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
History
Survey background on the Des Plaines River
IDNRElectrofishing surveys in 2018 yielded increased catch rates (fish/hour) for sportfish throughout the Des Plaines River. Fall collections in 2020 in the lower river segment upstream of the Brandon Lock and Dam were also very productive.
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 11:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
The numbers belong to Des Plaines River at Russell, IL, Des Plaines River Near Gurnee, IL, Des Plaines River at Lincolnshire, IL and Des Plaines River Near Des Plaines, IL.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional; site list read November 4, 2026.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Lake Chaminwood Carry-in Boat LaunchLake Chaminwood, 3 miles
Kankakee River Conservation Area Boat Ramp on Lake MillikenLake Milliken, 9 miles
Heidecke Lake South Side Main Boat RampHeidecke Lake, 13 miles
Much Illinois stream frontage is private; fish the Des Plaines River from public ramps, parks and state sites, or with the owner's permission.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Stocking
What IDNR stocked along the Des Plaines River
Year
Species as listed
Number
Size class
2026
Sauger
54,254
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2025
Sauger
1,500,000
Not Specified
2025
Sauger
56,326
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2024
Sauger
91,589
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2023
Sauger
38,197
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2022
Sauger
6,262
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.
Limits
Illinois limits that apply on the Des Plaines River
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
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
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.
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
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
The Des Plaines River follows the statewide table plus any site entry.
Digest rules along the Des Plaines River
Des Plaines River and Tributaries, except as specified under site-specific regulations (see below):
Statewide Fishing Regulations Apply
Smallmouth Bass: 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit; All fish must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations (
Des Plaines River from the former Hofmann Dam site to 47th Street Bridge, including tributaries)
:
Channel Catfish: 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass: Catch and Release Fishing Only
Site-specific regulations on the IFishIllinois page, as printed, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
The Des Plaines River, sorted out question by question
How do I pin the Des Plaines River on an Illinois road map?
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 Kan It touches Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Lake and Will counties.
Can I see the stage of the Des Plaines River before driving?
The flow band streams Des Plaines River at Russell, IL and Des Plaines River Near Gurnee, IL.
Where does IDNR map a put-in on the Des Plaines River?
15 boat ramps, including Des Plaines River Allison Woods Canoe/Kayak Launch.
What does the 2026 digest let me keep from the Des Plaines River?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. The limits band adds a digest entry for it.
Can an out-of-state angler fish the Des Plaines River?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
How does IDNR rate the Des Plaines River?
Look for sauger.
Where do anglers on the Des Plaines River buy tackle?
Joliet Boat Store, about 3 miles away, is first on our list.
Which banks of the Des Plaines River are open?
Fish from public sites or with permission; farmland lines many banks.
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