Kankakee River Fishing Spot

• Elevation: 503'
• Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/09/09 07:47 PM
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The Kankakee River is a tributary of the Illinois River, approximately 90 mi (144 km) long, in northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois in the United States. At one time the river drained one of the largest wetlands in North America and furnished a significant portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Significantly altered from its original channel, it flows through a primarily rural farming region of reclaimed cropland south of Lake Michigan. The Kankakee rises in northwestern Indiana, approximately 5 mi (8 km) southwest of South Bend. It flows in a straight channelized course generally southwestward through rural northwestern Indiana, collecting the Yellow River from the south in Starke County and passing the communities of South Center and English Lake. It forms the border between LaPorte, Porter, and Lake counties on the north and Starke, Jasper, and Newton counties on the south. The river curves westward as it enters Kankakee County in northeastern Illinois. Approximately 3 mi (5 km) southeast of the city of Kankakee it receives the Iroquois River from the south and turns sharply to the northwest for its lower 35 mi (56 km). It joins the Des Plaines River from the south to form the Illinois, approximately 50 mi (80 km) southwest of Chicago. The Kankakee River Basin drains 2989 sq. mi. (square miles) in northwest Indiana, 2169 sq. mi. in northeast Illinois,and about 7 sq. mi. in southwest Lower Michigan (figure 1). The Kankakee River heads near South Bend, then flows westward into Illinois, where it joins with the Des Plaines River to form the Illinois River. Kankakee River State Park is an Illinois state park on 4,000 acres (16.19 km²) primarily in Kankakee and Will Counties, Illinois, United States. Originally, 35 acres (0.14 km²) of land was donated by Ethel Sturges Dummer for the creation of the state park in 1938. Another 1,715 acres (6.94 km²) was donated by Commonwealth Edison in 1956, and again donated more land in 1989. The islands of Smith, Hoffman, Langham, and Willow are all located inside the park on the river. There are camping facilities located inside the park. There are plenty of hiking trails throughout the park that go through different ecosystems and different park features. While some go along the Kankakee River, with places to sit along the river, others go into the forests or along Rock Creek, a tributary of the Kankakee River that cuts through the ground, creating a gorge with cliffs. The trails are very diverse. There is horseback riding at the park.There is a concession stand at Rock Creek. If you've ever traveled over the river on I-57, you'll see many powerboats traveling the river, but, before you get to the state park, there is a dam, and then, there are fewer powerboats. As you near the river at the state park, you'll see warning signs warning you of strong current and undertow in the river. The river has many islands, and the current can get quite strong on some of the side channels. It takes some effort to go upstream in the main river channel, in some of the side channels we traveled in, going upstream wasn't always an option. The banks vary between small bluffs and woodlands. While you can't entirely escape civilization, it's a very pleasant place to visit. The Kankakee River is also home to some unusual fish in our area. The Ironcolor Shiner, Weed Shiner, Lake Chubsucker, Starhead Topminnow, Northern Longear sunfish, Least Darter, River Redhorses, and Blacknose Shiner are all species that live in the river. Private boats permitted. Canoe rentals available Dams/Flood Control Fish in this river include: Walleye Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Crappie Bluegill Bullhead Catfish Channel Catfish Northern Pike The Kankakee River borders the Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area on the south with 3 miles of shoreline providing access to boating enthusiasts and excellent walleye and northern pike fishing. A public boat launch with 3 paved ramps is available on the Kankakee River for boating on the river or its backwaters (see Milliken Lake). Motors are limited to 10 horsepower or less on the backwaters, but there are no limits on the Kankakee River.

The Kankakee River is a tributary of the Illinois River, approximately 90 mi (144 km) long, in northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois in the United States. At one time the river drained one of the largest wetlands in North America and furnished a significant portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Significantly altered from its original channel, it flows through a primarily rural farming region of reclaimed cropland south of Lake Michigan.