Welcome! Chances are you are at your home or your
office. Wouldn't you rather be out boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, or sailing in a Illinois state park?
One thing
we have found is that not everyone knows about their state parks so we have
put together this site to help find the fun places to go. To the side we
have listed related information. Have fun and enjoy the relaxation and
excitement of the outdoors!
Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
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Fishing: Crappie, bluegill, bullhead, bass and channel catfish is consistently good in early and late spring. Ice fishing for crappie and bluegill is also popular. The area provides boat docks and two public boat ramps.
Apple River Canyon State Park
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The Apple River has a variety of fish including smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, carp, and suckers. When economically feasible the Illinois Department of Natural Resources stocks Apple River with keeper-size trout. The river is one of several in the state where the department releases this fish. Trout require clean, clear, cold water and in the spring, Apple River meets these requirements. However, the fish do not live through the hot summer months so the stream is stocked on a put-and-take basis. License and trout stamps may be obtained at the park office.
Argyle Lake State Park
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The lake is stocked with bluegill, redear, channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, tiger muskie and rainbow trout. There is a 10 horsepower motor limit, and a public boat launch and docks are available for boats and pontoons. Canoe and boat rentals also are available.
Banner Marsh State Fish & Wildlife Area
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There are three public access areas leading into Banner Marsh, all of which have parking lots, boat ramps, restrooms and picnic areas. Whether you prefer bank fishing or boat fishing, walleye or channel catfishfishing, you won’t run out of fishable water at Banner Marsh. With more than 200 clear water bodies holding numerous species of fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, crappie, bluegill, redear, green sunfish and channel cat, fishing is a common interest among many who visit the area.
Big River State Forest
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BOATING AND FISHING- Three boat launching ramps are located along the Mississippi River. Boat rentals are not provided. Boat and bank fishing are allowed. Among the fish most commonly found are crappie, bass, carp, buffalo, channel catfish, bluegill and bullhead. In the winter, ice fishing is a popular sport along Spring Slough, north of Putney’s Landing.
Castle Rock State Park
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All the fishing is done in the Rock River. The park offers one and one-half miles of bank fishing. There is also a boat ramp available for public use. Boat size is limited due to the varying depth of the river. The most commonly caught fish is the catfish, but some bass, northern, walleye, and crappie may be taken.
Delabar State Park
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River fishing is popular at Delabar State Park. Boats with motors of any size are allowed on the river. A launching ramp at the south end of the park and two boat docks make river access easy. While there are no boat rentals at the park, there is a marina nearby.
Donnelley/DePue State Fish and Wildlife Area
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Since the areas border the Illinois river, boating and fishing are also popular. Species of interest to anglers include walleye, sauger, white bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, drum, crappie, bullhead and carp.
Franklin Creek State Park
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Fishing is allowed in the Franklin Creek on state-owned property. Use your park map to be sure you are on park property. Franklin Creek supports a population of smallmouth bass, channel catfish, carp, redhorse and rock bass when stocked.
