my first post here, and I come looking for information. I’m about to graduate from Penn State (great area for fly fishing), and I’ve been offered a job in suburban Chicago. I wanted to find out some things about living there, and also what kind of outdoor activities there are within reasonable driving distance. I don’t expect I’ll be able to drive 15 minutes and find impeccable national trout waters, but are there places within an hour? two hours? three or four?
I have done fly fishing for bass for some time, and have been introduced to fly fishing for trout courtesy of the Penn State classes. Recently just started tying my own flies too. It’s all so much fun
Are there places to go hiking and camping?
Are there streams and rivers for fly fishing?
What about fishing on lakes or the great lakes? Do you need a boat for it? Could you fish from a kayak?
Or is it just hopeless to be an outdoorsy person and try to live in suburban Chicago?
All over the Chicagoland area are forest preserves which generally contain stocked lagoons with bluegill, crappie, largemouth, carp and various kinds of catfish. Some have pike. Some of the lagoons allow float tubes, canoes, etc.
You have Mazonia to the south which is somewhat similar built from excavations. (FWIW, I don’t know Mazonia at all, but people swear by it).
For smallies, you got the Fox and Kishwaukee Rivers to the west and the Kankakee to the south.
We have salmon and steelhead, in season, in a number of rivers in and around the Milwaukee area. I don’t go much (too much combat fishing) but the Milwaukee River, just north of said city, is where I used to go. The salmon/steelhead rivers also hold smallies in season (there’s a big old sucker run on the Milwaukee right around tax day).
No trout in Illinois, although you hear rumors. Your best bet for trout would be the Driftless region which encompasses the NE corner of Illinois (this is where the rumors stem from), the SW corner of Wisconsin, the NE corner of Iowa and the SE corner of Minnesota. SWW is about 4 1/2 hours from the Southside, where I live, so I make it a weekend. Be prepared for very small streams.
Once settled, you should get in contact with either (or both) of the following flyshops: One More Cast in Countryside (that’s straight west from Chicago) or Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters (in Chicago).
Don’t know nuttin’ ‘bout no fly fishin’ in the Chicago area. All I ever caught there was my husband, 40+ years ago!!
Did, however, want to welcome you to the board. This is a fun place to be, and you’ll get more than enough help for your question … some times it will even be accurate!!
Probably need to wait till Marco or Stephen checks in for the Chicago end of it!
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Penn State !!
And a welcome and greeting from SE Idaho.
Can’t help you on the fishing around Chicago - only thing I caught in that area was a train heading back west !! Actually, did catch a number of planes, also, coming and going over the years, and one time I caught a cold there.
No doubt there will be a number of folks who can actually help you on your inquiry. Might even be some guys from Ohio who think they can help. Being a Nittany Lion, you will probably be a bit suspect of anything THOSE guys might have to say ??
Anyway, best of luck finding a place to fish in your soon-to-be-new-home.
John
If nothing else, you might catch some Bears, or Bulls ?!
:-DI’d have to echo what Steven said. There’s decent populations of smallies (and the occasional walleye and muskie) in the Fox River, especially anywhere downstream of Elgin/South Elgin.
And the Kishwaukee can be pretty good for smallies and rock bass, especially near or downstream of Genoa/Kingston/Kirkland, just off Rt 72. There’s the occasional pike in there as well.
There are some trout-stocked ponds throughout the area. Here’s a link that lists these waters: Illinois Urban Trout
And September is the time to head up into Wisconsin (I used to fish Pike Creek north of Kenosha) for the Chinook Salmon run!
John,
when I used to live in Batavia I’d go to the park on the east side of the Fox in Geneva. It’s just below a low dam from an old mill pond. Starting down from there I could do reasonably well on some good smallies. There are walking/running paths on boths sides of the river for quite a ways, so access is good. You can also canoe it from Elgin down to St. Charles.
Definitely check out the Driftless. There starts to be the odd stream, I think, about 20 miles west of Janesville, but the good stuff is farther west.
Hey ladies and gents, thanks for the general welcome, I’ve found it to be a helpful place so far. good for avoiding homework too
Steven - specific job site location is Burr Ridge, and I would hope to live within half an hour or so. Thanks for the tips on the locations and fly shops. The one in Countryside looks quite close by.
scubatim - I like lake fishing a lot, it’s where I got my fly fishing start. Do you need a boat for lake michigan? Kayak? Pontoon?
Fishndave, hutjensmpg - thanks for the location tips
I was looking at stores, and it seems there are Cabela’s and REIs within driving distance too. Between your tips here, sounds like there might be hope for it after all.
Does anyone do backpacking/camping/hiking? Any suggestions on where to do that? And/or combine it with fishing?
The Fox is nice, the various branches of the Kish are a little further (but nice as well).
The Dupage has some nice sections as well for smallies (do some research, some areas have water quality issues (McDowell FP I believe). And the Kankakee is nice (a bit bigger and tougher to break down in my opinion).
If you want to try some alternative type fishing, find some public access to the Des Plaines where it gets shallow and stalk some carp as well (just make sure to clean up well afterwards)
I’m hoping to familiarize myself with it, but Mazonia is not too far either (have to have some sort of water craft for that).
I highly suggest using google maps to look for local water. Illinois subdivision ponds are very productive for bass and panfish (and carp) as well.
And if you need to get your trout fix, as previously mentioned, Wisconsin is not that far and has some very nice streams.
I also, I would avoid the temptation of hitting the large forest preserve lakes (sloughs), such as Saganaskee, Tampier by you. Those get absolutely pounded by bucket fishermen.
Farmer John,
First of all, I echo the “welcome” sentiment. Burr Ridge is about 45+ miles SE of Lake In The Hills where I and mine reside. There’s really no braggin water anywhere near. After all, if the fishin WAS great, you’d be making a lot less money. There IS an inverse (income) proportion in effect here relative to fishing. If you want to fly fish pristine waters? faggetabboudit. As was mentioned in earlier posts,however, all is not lost. There is the “driftless” area of Wisconsin, Lake Michigan and subdivision ponds. We’re not talkin Wyoming here but, in a pinch, it beats bowling.
I love the smallie fishing in the Fox. At normal water levels, it’s quite wadable below the dams, and there are lots of fish. Smallmouths Unlimited has secured a catch and release period during the spawn. It’s helped.
Farmer John, Welcome. I spent my kid days in Chicago. Then about 30 years in Frankfort. I retired to Lake of Egypt about 6 years ago. That is found about 300 miles south. LOE is one of the best bass lakes you can find in the midwest, but is a bit far to drive. 5 pound bass can make it seem worthwhile. For trout you need 3 hours to some beautiful little streams. 5 hours will put you on wonderful water like the Wolf near Langlade, WI. A similar rule of thumb applies to Michigan. First, you should attend the next meeting of Trout Unlimited. The Oakbrook Chapter is extremely active and meets at the Oak Brook Park Pavillion. That is close to you. I was one of the beginners there so have maintained my membership in that Chapter. If you want some contacts please let me know. Many of the grey haired members wll remember me and there will be many who would help you find some FF action. In fact, they hold one meeting a year which covers locations and FF opportunities.Check for their web site. Next meeting is May 21. Hang in and you will find some good times. All the best in this new chapter in your life. -Gerry L.
Dick and Spinner - thanks for the linkies - should be helpful :thumbs:
I’m okay with non-pristine waters, the wadable parts of the Fox sound good, and I love smallmouth on fly rods. I’m okay with winter fishing too.
Gerry, I haven’t even accepted the job or moved yet, but assuming I do, I may try to get some of those contacts from you. Nice to hear there is a TU outfit and fly fishing store nearby. That gives me some hope
