Smallmouth Bass fishing at Kankakee River

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. The spot to know is State Park limestone ledges, a rock pile in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Kankakee River

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Iroquois River confluence (Aroma Park): a inflow / creek mouth around 8 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Kankakee River

Spring northern pike on Kankakee River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 4 to 12 ft in summer and finish the year down in 4 to 12 ft. The spot to know is Iroquois River confluence (Aroma Park), a inflow / creek mouth in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Channel Catfish fishing at Kankakee River

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. The spot to know is Iroquois River confluence (Aroma Park), a inflow / creek mouth in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in spring. Best bite is after dark and the evening.

Rock Bass fishing at Kankakee River

Start shallow in spring: rock bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 12 ft, and winter fish settle into 4 to 12 ft. State Park limestone ledges is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring rock bass. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Kankakee River

Spring largemouth bass on Kankakee River hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 4 to 12 ft in summer and finish the year down in 4 to 12 ft. Momence backwater snags is the standout, a standing timber / brush at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring largemouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

How deep is Kankakee River?

Kankakee River is about 12 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Kankakee River?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, common carp, rock bass on Kankakee River.

Where is the best fishing spot on Kankakee River?

State Park limestone ledges is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Kankakee River?

For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.