Bank and shore fishing in Illinois
No boat? You still have 25 Illinois waters with listed public access, 108 access sites in all. Open any water below to see its depth map, the rated spots within reach of each access point, and what to throw this season.
Access sites come from official agency access inventories where the state publishes one, with OpenStreetMap filling gaps. A carry-in site means you park and walk your gear in. We list where public access exists; always respect posted signs on the ground.
| Water | Access sites | Carry-in | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Michigan - Illinois and Indiana Shore | 10 | — | survey |
| Lake Springfield | 9 | — | survey |
| Homer Lake | 4 | — | survey |
| Illinois Waterway - Dresden Island Pool | 4 | — | survey |
| Mississippi River Pool 13 (Clinton) | 4 | — | survey |
| Charleston Lake | 3 | — | survey |
| Dawson Lake | 3 | — | survey |
| Mississippi River Pool 19 (Keokuk) | 3 | — | survey |
| Lake Glenn Shoals | 2 | — | survey |
| Shabbona Lake | 2 | — | survey |
| Siloam Springs Lake | 2 | — | survey |
| Washington County Lake | 2 | — | survey |
| Lincoln Trail State Park Lake | 1 | — | survey |
| Olson Lake | 1 | — | survey |
| Sara Lake | 1 | — | survey |
| Fox River | 18 | — | modeled |
| Illinois River | 14 | — | modeled |
| Rock River | 14 | — | modeled |
| Kaskaskia River | 3 | — | modeled |
| Sangamon River | 3 | — | modeled |
| Carlinville Lake | 1 | — | modeled |
| Des Plaines River | 1 | — | modeled |
| Elizabeth Lake | 1 | — | modeled |
| Kankakee River | 1 | — | modeled |
| Pittsfield Lake | 1 | — | modeled |
Find the closest waters to you →
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