Illinois reference
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Illinois Tackle Loaner Sites
130 libraries, parks and offices that lend IDNR rods and reels free, by county.
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Sangamon River: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Borrow a rod
Free IDNR tackle loaner sites across Illinois
The IDNR IFishIllinois map lists 130 tackle loaner sites where anyone can borrow a rod and reel free, 66 of them public libraries; the rest are park districts, nature centers and IDNR offices. Each prints a name, address, city and phone; the map groups them as Chicago/Northeast Illinois (59), Southern Illinois (42) and Central Illinois (29).
130loaner sites
66libraries
45counties
freerods and reels
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
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Loaner rods listed under each Illinois county
Adams County
- Illinois Veteran's Home1707 N. 12th Street, Quincy, (217) 222-8641
- Quincy Public Library526 Jersey Street, Quincy, (217) 223-1309
Bond County
- Greenville Public Library414 W. Main Street, Greenville, (618) 664-3115
Cass County
- Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA10149 County Highway 11, Chandlerville, (217) 452-7741
Champaign County
- Rantoul Public Library106 W. Flessner Avenue, Rantoul, (217) 893-3955
- Rantoul Recreation Dept.1306 Country Club Lane, Rantoul, (217) 893-0461
- Savoy Recreation Center402 W. Graham Drive, Savoy, (217) 359-3550
Clark County
- Lincoln Trail State Park- baitshop16985 E. 1350th Road, Marshall, (217) 826-2222
- Mill Creek State Park20482 N. Park Entrance Road, Marshall, (217) 889-2882
Clinton County
- Eldon Hazlett State Park20100 Hazlet Park Road, Carlyle, (618) 594-3015
- Germantown Library403 Munster Street, Germantown, (618) 523-4599
- Trenton Public Library118 E. Indiana Street, Trenton, (618) 224-7662
Coles County
- Charleston Public Library712 S. Sixth Street, Charleston, (217) 345-4720
- Ridge Lake Biological Station17211 Ridge Lake Road, Charleston, (217) 345-6469
Cook County
- Albany Park Branch – Chicago Public Library3401 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, (773) 539-5450
- Alsip Merrionette Park Library11960 S. Pulaski Road, Alsip, (708) 371-5666
- Altgeld Branch – Chicago Public Library955 E 131st Street, Chicago, (312)747-3270
- Birchwood Park Salmon Shop/Palatine Park District250 E. Wood Street, Palatine, (847) 705-5123
- Blackstone Branch – Chicago Public Library4904 S. Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, (312) 747-0511
- Build Chicago5100 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, (872) 813-2675
- Carver Park Fieldhouse939 E 132nd Street, Chicago, (312)747-6047
- Chicago Lawn Branch – Chicago Public Library6120 S. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, (312) 747-0639
- Coleman Branch – Chicago Public Library731 E. 63rd Street, Chicago, (312) 747-7760
- Des Plaines Pk. District515 E. Thacker, Des Plaines, (847) 391-5711
- Douglass Park Branch – Chicago Public Library3353 W. 13th Street, Chicago, (312) 747-3725
- Dunning Branch Library7455 W. Cornelia Avenue, Chicago, (312)743-0480
- Eisenhower Public Library – Harwood Heights4618 N Oketo Ave, Harwood Heights, (708) 867-7828
- Evanston Parks Ecology Center2024 McCormick Boulevard, Evanston, (847) 448-8147
- Hegewisch Branch – Chicago Public Library3048 E. 130th Street, Chicago, (312)747-0046
- Humboldt Park Branch – Chicago Public Library1605 N. Troy Street, Chicago, (312) 744-2244
- Iron Oaks Environmental Learning Center20000 Western Avenue, Olympia Fields, (708) 481-2330
- Legler Regional Library – Chicago Public Library115 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, (312) 746-7730
- Maine Township Office1700 Ballard Road, Park Ridge, (847) 297-2510
- McKinley Branch – Chicago Public Library1915 W. 35th Street, Chicago, (312) 747-6082
- Northbrook Park Dist.3323 Walters Avenue, Northbrook, (847) 291-2351
- Northwest Special Rec. Assoc.3000 W. Central Road, Ste. 205, Rolling Meadows, (847) 392-2848
- Orland Hills Recreation Dept.16033 South 94th Avenue, Orland Park, (708) 349-7211
- Richard J. Daley Branch – Chicago Public Library3400 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, (312)747-8990
- River Trail Nature Center3120 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Northbrook, (847) 824-8360
- Rogers Park Branch – Chicago Public Library6907 N. Clark Street, Chicago, (312) 744-0156
- Sherman Branch – Chicago Public Library5440 S. Racine, Chicago, (312) 747-0477
- The Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center9800 S. 104th Avenue, Willow Springs, (708) 839-6897
- Thurgood Marshall Branch – Chicago Public Library7506 S. Racine Avenue, Chicago, (312) 747-5927
- Uptown Branch – Chicago Public Library929 W. Buena Avenue, Chicago, (312) 744-8400
- Vodak – Eastside Branch – Chicago Public Library3710 E. 106th Street, Chicago, (312) 747-5500
- West Belmont Branch – Chicago Public Library3104 N. Narragansett Avenue, Chicago, (312) 746-5142
- West Ridge Nature Park5801 N. Western Avenue, Chicago, (312) 742-7529
- Wildwood Nature Center/Park Ridge Park District2701 W. Sibley Avenue, Park Ridge, (847) 692-5127
- William W. Powers Conservation Area12949 S. Avenue O, Chicago, (773) 646-3270
DeWitt County
- Weldon Springs State Park4734 Weldon Springs Road, Clinton, (217) 935-0307
DuPage County
- Lake View Nature Center17W063 Hodges Road, Oakbrook Terrace, (630)941-8747
- Westmont Park District75 E. Richmond Street, Westmont, (630)963-5252
- Willowbrook Rec. Dept.7760 Quincy Street, Willowbrook, (630) 323-8215; (630) 920-9429
- York Center Park District1609 S. Luther Avenue, Lombard, (630) 629-0886
Fayette County
- Ramsey Public Library401 S. Superior Street, Ramsey, (618) 423-2019
Franklin County
- Benton Public Library502 S. Main Street, Benton, (618) 438-7511
- West Frankfort Public Library402 E. Popular Street, West Frankfort, (618) 932-3313
Greene County
- Carrollton Public Library509 S. Main Street, Carrollton, (217) 942-6715
Grundy County
- I & M Canal State Trail Gebhard Woods402 Ottawa Street, Morris, (815) 942-0796
Hancock County
- Augusta Public Library202 Center Street, Augusta, (217) 392-2211
- Carthage Public Library500 Wabash Avenue, Carthage, (217) 357-3232
- Hamilton Public Library861 Broadway Street, Hamilton, (217) 847-2219
- Navoo State Park1240 Sidney Street, Navoo, (217) 453-2512
- Weinberg-King State ParkIL-101, Augusta, (217) 392-2345
Iroquois County
- Watseka Park District110 S. 3rd Street, Watseka, (815) 432-3931
Jackson County
- Carbondale Public Library405 W. Main Street, Carbondale, (618) 457-0354
- Giant City State Park235 Giant City Road, Makanda, (618) 457-4836
- Little Grassy Campground and Marina788 Hidden Bay Lane, Makanda, (618) 457-6655
- Little Grassy Fish Hatchery1258 Hatchery Lane, Makanda, (618) 629-4100
- Logan Sallie Public Library1808 Walnut Street, Murphysboro, (618) 684-2923
Jefferson County
- Centralia Public Library515 E. Broadway, Centralia, (618) 532-5222
Jersey County
- Jerseyville Public Library105 N. Liberty Street, Jerseyville, (618) 498-9514
- Pere Marquette State Parke Lodge13653 Lodge Boulevard, Grafton, (618) 786-2331
Kankakee County
- Edward Chipman Public Library126 N. Locust Street, Momence, (815) 472-2581
- Momence Island Park79 Mill Street, Momence, (815) 472-2670
Kendall County
- City of Plano-Village Hall17 E. Main Street, Plano, (630) 552-8275
Lake County
- Bill's Boat Bait and Marina216 W. Main Street, Lake Zurich, (847)796-0216 (office); (224) 623-9340 (cell)
- Fox River Grove Memorial Library407 Lincoln Avenue, Fox River Grove, (847) 639-2274
- Prairie Grass Nature Museum/Round Lake Park District860 Hart Road, Round Lake, (847) 546-8558
- Wauconda Park District600 N. Main Street, Wauconda, (847) 526-3610
- YMCA Camp Independence32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside, (205) 337-4897
Livingston County
- Pontiac Public Library211 E. Madison Street, Pontiac, (815) 844-7229
Macon County
- Rock Springs Center3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, (217) 423-7708
Macoupin County
- Benld Library308 E. Central Street, Benld, (217) 835-4045
- Bunker Hill Library220 E. Warren Street, Bunker Hill, (618) 585-4736
- Carlinville Public Library501 N. Broad Street, Carlinville, (217) 854-3505
Madison County
- Alton Hayner Public Library326 Belle Street, Alton, (618) 462-0651
- Collinsville Memorial Library408 W. Main Street, Collinsville, (618) 344-1112
- Edwardsville Public Library112 S. Kansas Street, Edwardsville, (618) 692-7556
- Fairmont City Center2870 N. 44th Street, Fairmont City, (618) 842-3966
- Godfrey Park and Recreation6810 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, (618) 466-1483
- Granite City Regional Six-Mile Library District2201 Delmar Avenue, Granite City, (618) 452-6238
- Maryville Community Library8 Schiber Court, Maryville, (618) 288-3801
- Wood River Public Library326 E. Ferguson Avenue, Wood River, (618) 254-4832
Mason County
- Havana Nature Center416 S. Schrader Street, Havana, (309) 543-6240
Massac County
- Metropolis Community Center Library516 Superman Square, Metropolis, (618) 524-3411
McHenry County
- Crystal Lake Nature Center330 N. Main Street, Crystal Lake, (815) 455-1763
- Marengo Union Library19714 E. Grant Highway, Marengo, (815) 568-8236
- McHenry Parks & Recreation3636 Municipal Drive, McHenry, (815) 363-2160
- Moraine Hills State Park1510 S. River Road, McHenry, (815) 385-1624
- Nippersink Public Library5418 Hill Road, Richmond, (815) 678-4014
McLean County
- Heartland Community College1500 W. Raab Road, Normal, (309) 268-8513
- McLean County Parks and Recreation13001 Recreation Area Drive, Hudson, (309) 434-6770
Montgomery County
- Hillsboro Public Library420 S. Main Street, Hillsboro, (217) 532-3055
Moultrie County
- Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library2 W. Water Street, Sullivan, (217) 782-7221
Piatt County
- Allerton Park 4-H camp499 Old Timber Road, Monticello, (217) 762-2741
Pulaski County
- Ullin City Center113 Central Avenue, Ullin, (618) 845-3612
Randolph County
- Chester Public Library733 State Street, Chester, (618) 826-3711
- Steeleville Public Library625 S. Sparta Street, Steeleville, (618) 965-9732
Saline County
- Eldorado Public Library1001 Grant Street, Eldorado, (618) 273-7922
- Galatia Public Library217 S. Main Cross Street, Galatia, (618) 268-9200
- Harrisburg Parks and Recreation921 W. Poplar Street, Harrisburg, (618) 252-2111
Sangamon County
- Chatham Area Public Library600 E. Spruce Street, Chatham, (217) 483-2713
- IL Dept. of Natural ResourcesOne Natural Resources Way, Springfield, (217) 782-0041
Schuyler County
- Schuy-Rush Park8000 Schuy Rush Park Road, Rushville, (217) 322-6628
Shelby County
- Wolf Creek State Park1837 N. Wolf Creek Road, Windsor, (217) 459-2831
St. Clair County
- Caseyville Public Library419 S. 2nd Street, Caseyville, (618) 345-5848
- Frank Holten State Park4500 Pocket Road, East St. Louis, (618) 874-7920
- Mascoutah Public Library3 W. Church Street, Mascoutah, (618) 566-2562
- O'Fallon Library120 Civic Plaza, O'Fallon, (618) 632-3783
- Smithton Library109 S. Main Street, Smithton, (618) 233-8057
Vermilion County
- Kennekuk Cove County Park22296 Henning Road, Danville, (217) 442-1691
Washington County
- Nashville Public Library219 E. Elm Street, Nashville, (618) 327-3827
Wayne County
- Fairfield IDNR Office106 Andrew Drive, Fairfield, (618) 842-2179
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
Winnebago County
- Winnebago County Forest Preserve District5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, (815) 877-6100
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Photos
Prairie water pictured beside Illinois Tackle Loaner Sites
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: edward stojakovic, CC BY 2.0
Photo: uptowner, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Gary Todd, CC0 1.0
Answers
Illinois tackle loaner questions
What is an IDNR tackle loaner site?
A library, park office or nature center where IDNR rods and reels can be borrowed free, like a library book.
How many loaner sites are there?
130 on the IDNR fishing map, in 45 counties.
Which county has the most?
Cook County, with 35.
Do I still need a fishing license with a loaner rod?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026). Residents under 16 fish free.
Are most sites libraries?
66 of the 130 are public libraries.
Should I call first?
Yes; the phone listed is the site’s main number, and loaner stock varies.
Where can I fish near a loaner site?
Open the county page for the nearest lakes, ponds and rivers.
Is tackle loaned on Free Fishing Days?
Loaner sites lend year-round; Free Fishing Days in June also waive the license.