Des Plaines River Greenway Fishing

While not stocked or managed for fishing, the Des Plaines River contains many species and is a great spot for anglers. Parking and access to the river's edge is available at six Forest Preserve canoe launches:

Van Patten Woods Canoe Launch on Russell Road, east of Route 41. View map
Sedge Meadow Canoe Launch, east of Route 41. View map
Des Plaines River Canoe Launch, at McClure Avenue and O'Plaine Road, just south of Grand Ave. View map
Independence Grove Canoe Launch near North Bay Pavilion. View map
Oak Spring Road Canoe Launch, west of St. Mary's Road. View map Temporarily closed through summer 2025. Learn more >>
Wright Woods Canoe Launch, on Route 60 east of Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21). View map

Note: River fishing is not allowed at Ryerson Conservation Area, MacArthur Woods or Wadsworth Prairie.

Oak Spring Canoe Launch: Closed for Bridge Construction

The Oak Spring Canoe Launch, parking lot and trail spur connecting to the DPRT will be closed beginning July 8 through summer of 2025 due to bridge construction. The Libertyville Township Road District will replace the Oak Spring Road Bridge over the Des Plaines River. Watch for posted signs. Visit the Oak Spring Road Bridge website for further information and progress updates.

des-plaines-river

PHOTOS

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Documents

PDF Document Catch Them If You Can: Fishing in the Preserves

PDF Document Countywide Map and Guide

PDF Document Ordinances, Rules & Regulations

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LOCATIONS

Buffalo Creek Reservoir »
Buffalo Creek, Long Grove
34 acres | max depth: 7 feet
Wright Woods Pond »
Captain Daniel Wright Woods, Mettawa
3 acres | max depth: 12 feet
Des Plaines River Greenway »
Fox River »
Rubber Duck Pond »
Grant Woods, Lake Villa
2 acres | max depth: 12 feet
Dugdale Lake »
Greenbelt, North Chicago
6 acres | max depth: 16 feet
Pulaski Lake »
Greenbelt, North Chicago
6 acres | max depth: 15 feet
Half Day Pond »
Half Day, Vernon Hills
3 acres | max depth: 12 feet
Hastings Lake »
Hastings Lake, Lake Villa
74 acres | max depth: 25 feet
The Lake at Independence Grove »
Independence Grove, Libertyville
115 acres | max depth: 49 feet
Lake Carina »
Lake Carina, Gurnee
23 acres | max depth: 23 feet
Banana Lake »
Lakewood, Wauconda
3 acres | max depth: 25 feet
Taylor Lake »
Lakewood, Wauconda
8 acres | max depth: 20 feet
Beaver Lake »
Lakewood, Wauconda
5 acres | max depth: 10 feet
Acorn Pond »
Lakewood, Wauconda
2 acres | max depth: 14 feet
Heron Pond »
Lakewood, Wauconda
4 acres | max depth: 5 feet
Nippersink »
Nippersink, Round Lake
13 acres | max depth: 17 feet
Old School Lake »
Old School, Mettawa
12 acres | max depth: 16 feet
Timber Lake »
Raven Glen, Antioch
33 acres | max depth: 33 feet
Sterling Lake »
Van Patten Woods, Wadsworth
74 acres | max depth: 25 feet
Des Plaines Lake »
Sedge Meadow Canoe Launch, Wadsworth
19 acres | max depth: 36 feet