Location (IDNR)The Kankakee River runs from its origin near South Bend Indiana to the confluence with the Des Plaines River near Channahon.
Description (IDNR)Flowing for a total of 59 miles in Illinois , the Kankakee River contains 3 dams and twelve larger tributary streams, including the Iroquois River. The upper river is low gradient, running through the Momence wetlands, a high quality floodplain forest. Downstream of the Kankakee, the gradient increases, flowing over bedrock and cobble through the Kankakee River State Park and past Wilmington, joining the Des …
More from IDNRAn angler can fish from a canoe or jon boat, try his luck from shore or wade the stream. Caution must be used, since there are sharp dropoffs and deep holes in the river.
Access (IDNR)Shore access and boat ramps can be found in most of the larger towns along the river, including Momence, Aroma Park, Kankakee, and Wilmington. The Kankakee River State Park offers eleven miles of excellent river access.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
One of the best Smallmouth Bass rivers in the State. The hot spots are Momence and Kankakee River State Park where fall boat electrofishing catch rates ranged from 94 to 176/hr. Catch rates for Smallmouth >14in. were…
The IDNR stocking program, which releases 90,000 fingerlings per year, has produced an excellent fishery. Spring electrofishing catch rates average 33/hr. Grood fish males averaged 18" while females averaged 22"….
It's hard to find a better place to fish for channel cats. they are common throughout the river with a mean electrofishing catch rate of 11/hr. sizes ranged from 8 – 30", with a catch rate of 7/hr for Channel Catfish >…
For the Kankakee River, every fish listed has an IDNR source.
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
IDNR fishery notes on the Kankakee River
IDNRThe Kankakee River is a very high quality system, supporting a high diversity of fishes and mussels. It is well known as an excellent sport fishery for Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Rock Bass, and Northern Pike.
The best smallmouth action occurs in early spring and fall. Spinners, crank baits, jigs and similar artificials are good on the spunky fish, but minnows, worms, frogs and crayfish also can produce. Riffles, creek mouths and fast water below dams are good for "bronzebacks."
Quieter areas, like backwaters of the Des Plaines Conservation Area along the river, are good spots for Largemouth Bass. Quiet water also is a good spot for Northern Pike, which also are taken behind islands and ebb areas formed by tributaries.
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 10:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
On screen: Kankakee River at Momence, IL, Kankakee River at Custer Park, IL, Kankakee River Near Wilmington, IL and Kankakee R at Inflow Of Power Plant near Lorenzo, 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).
Mazonia – Ponderosa Lake Boat RampPonderosa Lake (Mazonia), 14 miles
Mazonia – Eagle Lake Boat RampEagle Lake (Mazonia), 14 miles
Mazonia – Monster Lake Boat RampMonster Lake (Mazonia), 15 miles
Farm fields line long stretches of the Kankakee River, so get a landowner yes before crossing.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Stocking
The Kankakee River in the stocking table
Year
Species as listed
Number
Size class
2026
Walleye
435,000
Not Specified
2026
Walleye
114,558
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2025
Walleye
407,000
Not Specified
2025
Walleye
108,294
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2024
Walleye
113,504
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2023
Walleye
33,932
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2022
Walleye
86,752
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.
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
Begin with the statewide rows for the Kankakee River; site entries override them.
Digest entries for the Kankakee River
Water as printed
Species
Rule as printed (code)
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
Which county courthouse covers the Kankakee River?
The Kankakee River runs from its origin near South Bend Indiana to the confluence with the Des Plaines River near Channahon. Its Illinois banks lie in Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle and Will counties.
Which gauge reads the Kankakee River?
The flow band pulls Kankakee River at Momence, IL and Kankakee River at Custer Park, IL from USGS.
Which ramps reach the Kankakee River?
There are 5 boat ramps, Kankakee River State Park Area 9 Boat Ramp among them.
Does the digest print extra rules for the Kankakee 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. See its site-specific rows too.
What does IDNR charge for a license good on the Kankakee River?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Is the Kankakee River good for catfish?
IDNR rates smallmouth bass very good; its sources also name walleye and channel catfish.
Which store outfits a trip on the Kankakee River?
Stop at Kankakee River Trading Post, about 1 mile away,.
Can I bank fish the Kankakee River?
Ask before crossing private ground; public ramps and parks are open.
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