The Best Fishing Spots In Illinois

Illinois is at once a fishing hotspot, given the presence of the Great Lakes in the state, as well as ideal inland waters for freshwater fishing. Here are some of the best places in Illinois that should give you that angling high.

Image source:youtube.com

Banner Marsh

Located in the 600-acre Johnson Lake in Peoria County, Banner Marsh is teeming with largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye, among other prized game fish. Anglers can fish both from a boat or at shore. Head to the middle of the Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area to begin your fishing adventure.

Busse Lake

Busse Lake is just 45 minutes from Chicago, located in Cook County. While it’s not a huge lake, with but a little over 20 miles of shoreline, it offers a wide range of catch, from northern pikes and walleyes to largemouth bass, carps, and muskies. This is a good place for those who want to fish but keep close to the city. Fun detours pre- or post-fishing are the Navy Pier and the Shedd Aquarium.

Kankakee River

Kankakee is actually part of the larger Illinois river, and is one of the best places for freshwater fishing in the state. It offers a wide array of fish, from smallmouth bass and channel catfish to bluegill and the Northern pike. Canoeing is the perfect complement to your fishing. For the kids, there’s the Exploration Station Children’s Museum and the Kankakee Railroad Museum.

Image source: lakepedia.com

Lake Michigan

Of course, no fishing endeavor in Illinois will be complete without visiting the famed Lake Michigan. Right next to Chicago, it is a great spot to take the family and have them explore the Sears Tower while you go about your angling trip. This is a great lake for fishing salmon, steelhead, and rainbow trout.

Dr. Tom Maibenco is a family physician by profession. During his spare time, he engages in charitable work and loves fishing and the great outdoors. Find more related articles here.

Top Outdoor Destinations Close To Chicago

Spring in Chicago is a great time to visit the great outdoors. Whether you’re a local resident or just there to check out the city surrounds, the places listed below offer a great way to relax and enjoy an outdoor adventure without venturing too far from the big city.

Image source: alyssavnature.com

Dream A Horse, Kettle Moraine

Horseback riding is a scenic and relaxing way to spend your weekend. You can opt for a one-hour or a three-hour adventure through Kettle Moraine and be surrounded by various terrains and sloping passages. Completing your Dream A Horse cowboy adventure is a stop at the local saloon called Eagle.

Lake Geneva Canopy Tours, Lake Geneva

This Lake Geneva tour includes nine miles of hiking and biking through forests and The Hawk’s Nest High Ropes Course. There’s even a zip lining eco-adventure that teaches you about the flora, fauna, and local history as you glide across zip lines and pass sky bridges and spiral staircases.

Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum, Kenosha

This nature reserve offers 40 acres of diverse, stunning landscapes. You can follow the two-mile hiking trail, as well as visit its 12-acre arboretum, a variety of gardens, and the sanctuary’s three historic buildings.

Image source: youtube.com

Lapham Peak State Park, Delafield

Also located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, this park offers 17 miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking. When in Lapham, don’t forget to visit the 45-foot observation tower nestled at the highest point in Waukesha County.

Family physician Dr. Tom Maibenco is an advocate of many great causes, including helping his community via the Wounded Warrior Project. He enjoys the outdoors when not busy with work. For more on his work and advocacies, go to this website.