Fishing near Aurora, Illinois
Kane County, population 180,542.
- 1 mileto nearest lake page
- 8launches nearby
Pick for northern pikePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Lakes and rivers around Aurora
Census 2020 figures give Aurora, a city of Kane County, 180,542 residents. Lake Patterson is the closest lake with a page, about 1 mile to the southeast. The shortest tow to a launch is 1 mile, to Fox River Veterans Island Park Canoe/Kayak Launch.
The closest loaner rods are at Aurora Public Library, 2 miles out.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Aurora; miles are straight lines.
Lakes near Aurora
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Patterson | 1 mile southeast | 48 | 20 ft | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill |
| Cheshire Lake | 2 miles southeast | 5 | 13 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, common carp, bluegill |
| Waubonsee Lake | 2 miles southeast | 16 | 9.5 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie |
| Birmingham Pond (FVPD) | 2 miles northeast | 3 | pond | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill | |
| South Spring Lake (FVPD) | 3 miles east | 12 | 7.5 ft | lake | 0 | common carp, bluegill, black crappie |
| Poss Lake | 3 miles northeast | 9 | 9 ft | lake | 0 | common carp, bluegill, yellow bass |
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.
For the northern pike herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Creeks within a county drive of Aurora
- East Branch Du Page River8 miles, 2 USGS gauges
- West Branch Du Page River9 miles, 3 USGS gauges
Current streamflow near Aurora
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Montgomery, Il | 1,140 cfs, 11.53 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 pm |
| Waubonsee Creek Near Oswego, Il | 42 cfs, 8.54 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:15 pm |
| Blackberry Creek Near Montgomery, Il | 47 cfs, 3.83 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 5, 2026 5:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDNR IFishIllinois river and pool pages, USGS GNIS names and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 4, 2026.
Pins on a map near Aurora
- Fox River Veterans Island Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 1 mile
- Fox River Aurora North River Street Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 1 mile
- Lake Patterson Boat RampLake Patterson, IDNR note: Boats with electric motors only, 1 mile
- Fox River Aurora West Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, IDNR note: Parking at Waubonsee Community College, 1 mile
- Fox River Aurora South River Street Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 2 miles
- Spring Lake Boat RampSpring Lake (FVPD), launch, 3 miles
- Jericho Lake Boat RampJericho Lake, launch, 5 miles
- Fox River Violet Patch Park Canoe/Kayak LaunchFox River, launch, 5 miles
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.
Free loaner rods near Aurora
| Site | Address | Phone | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Public Library | 101 S. River Street, Aurora | (630) 264-4149 | 2 miles |
Free gear through IDNR: borrow a rod, return it after the trip.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Minnow tanks and tackle around Aurora
Hooks and line near Aurora
- The Rod Shopbait and tackle shop, North Aurora, 4 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Oswegosporting goods store, Oswego, 4 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Naperville, 240 Illinois Route 59sporting goods store, Naperville, 4 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Naperville, 2763 W 75th Streetsporting goods store, Naperville, 5 miles
- Wacker Baitsbait and tackle shop, Warrenville, 7 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Genevasporting goods store, Geneva, 10 miles
- Audacity Bait & Lure Cobait and tackle shop, Lisle, 10 miles
- Chicago Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Romeoville, 13 miles
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings (miles only for shops with an exact point); guide and charter association pages; read November 4, 2026.
Record weights from water around Aurora
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Redhorse | hook and line | 6 lbs 11.4 oz | Fox River | April 24, 2008 |
| Yellow Bullhead | hook and line | 5 lbs 4 oz | Fox River | Feb. 2, 1955 |
| Atlantic Salmon | hook and line | 18 lbs 11.25 oz | Lake Michigan | May 26, 1979 |
| Brook Trout | hook and line | 7 lbs 5 oz | Lake Michigan | Nov. 3, 1998 |
| Brown Trout | hook and line | 36 lbs 11.5 oz | Lake Michigan | June 22, 1997 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Keeper rules for a Aurora outing
IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
| 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 |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Lake and river pages print any site-specific digest entry.
Inside a cornfield drive of Aurora
Other towns around Aurora
- North Aurora4 miles
- Boulder Hill4 miles
- Montgomery5 miles
- Batavia6 miles
- Oswego6 miles
County fishing page around Aurora
- Kane Countyseat: Geneva
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Aurora
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Timber, cornfield and water around Aurora through a lens
Photo: D.L, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joseph Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: WxMom, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David Jakes, CC BY 4.0
Rods in the trunk, staying in Aurora: answers
Which Illinois lake is the short hop from Aurora?
Lake Patterson, 1 mile southeast.
How far is Aurora from a public ramp?
Fox River Veterans Island Park Canoe/Kayak Launch, 1 mile away.
Which IDNR pier is nearest Aurora?
None within 15 miles on the IDNR inventory.
Which IDNR-listed vendor or bait store is nearest Aurora?
The Rod Shop, a 4 miles drive.
Inside which Illinois county line is Aurora?
Kane County; its county page maps every IDNR launch.
Which IDNR license suits a Aurora weekend?
A nonresident annual Illinois license costs $31.50 in 2026.
Which lake near Aurora gives a boat the most room?
Lake Patterson lists about 48 acres and lies 1 mile off.
Which Prairie State towns flank Aurora?
Closest: North Aurora (4 miles), Boulder Hill (4 miles) and Montgomery (5 miles).
Where is the closest IDNR loaner site to Aurora?
Aurora Public Library, 2 miles away.
Which record entries name water around Aurora?
Silver Redhorse, 6 lbs 11.4 oz, April 24, 2008 (hook and line), from Fox River.
Base in Aurora and fish every dawn
Click any lake or river above for its own guide.