Fly Fishing in Illinois
Illinois is a warmwater state for fly anglers: smallmouth bass in rivers like the Fox and the Kankakee, bluegill and largemouth in ponds and lakes, and carp and trout along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
- 6River guides
- 5Game fish
- May–SepPrime season
Flows right now in Illinois
2 of 4 top rivers are flowing normal for today
- Apple River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 102 cfs Normal 25th–75th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- Rock River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 216 cfs Above normal 76th–90th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- Fox River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 130 cfs Above normal 76th–90th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- Des Plaines River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 25 cfs Normal 25th–75th percentile updated 49 minutes ago
USGS readings compared with each gage's daily flow percentiles (historical record for today's date).
Check the water before you go
Live flows, hatches and fishability ratings for every one of these rivers, in the free FlyFishFinder app.
When to go
How busy the hatches are each month across Illinois, from the watershed hatch charts.
- Fewer to more hatches
- Prime season
- Runoff
- This month
Typical hatches in Illinois in October
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Blue-Winged Olive PeakMayfly
Apple River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Rock River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Little Richard Creek
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Fall BWO PeakOther
Apple River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Rock River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Little Richard Creek
Starting next month: Midge
Smaller streams often see lighter or later hatches; check local reports.
Fish in Illinois
Tap a fish to see every Illinois river that holds it.
Common Carp
In 1 river guide
Fly fishing in Illinois
Fly fishing in Illinois means warm water. The state's best fly water is its rivers, where smallmouth bass hold in riffles, around rock and along current seams. The Fox, Kankakee, Rock and Vermilion are well-known smallmouth rivers, and many smaller creeks hold fish too.
Ponds, strip pits and reservoirs across the state are full of bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass, which makes Illinois a good place to learn on the fly. In summer, a small popper along a weedline will keep you busy.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline near Chicago, harbors and breakwalls get trout and salmon in the cooler months, and the shallows hold carp that can be sight fished with a fly. Illinois has very little natural trout stream water, but the state stocks trout in some lakes and streams in spring and fall.
Tips for fishing Illinois
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Wade for smallmouth
Pick a wadeable stretch of the Fox or Kankakee and work riffles, rock gardens and current seams with crayfish and baitfish patterns.
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Start with panfish
A 3 to 5 weight and small poppers or nymphs will catch bluegill in almost any pond. It is the easiest way to get a new angler into fish.
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Throw poppers at dawn and dusk
Largemouth and smallmouth come up for topwater flies in low light. Fish the edges of weeds, wood and shade.
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Sight fish lakefront carp
On calm, sunny days carp cruise the Lake Michigan shallows. A 6 or 7 weight and a small nymph or crayfish pattern, dropped quietly in front of a feeding fish, can work.
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Watch the water levels
Illinois rivers rise fast after rain. Check a stream gauge before you drive, and wait for the water to clear.
Find the right Illinois river for today.
- Top Waters Today ranks the rivers near you on live conditions
- Every access point and parking area on one map
- Live flows from every USGS gauge in the state
Illinois fly fishing FAQ
Is there trout fishing in Illinois?
Very little. Illinois has few natural trout streams, but the state stocks trout in some lakes and streams, and trout and salmon visit the Lake Michigan shoreline in the cooler months.
Where can I fly fish for smallmouth in Illinois?
The Fox, Kankakee, Rock and Vermilion rivers are well known for smallmouth, and many smaller creeks hold fish too.
Do I need a license to fly fish in Illinois?
Yes. You need an Illinois fishing license, and some species may need an extra stamp. Check the Illinois DNR's current regulations.
What flies work for Illinois smallmouth?
Crayfish patterns, Clouser Minnows and Woolly Buggers below the surface, and poppers or foam bugs on top in low light.
Can you fly fish Lake Michigan from Chicago?
Yes. Harbors, breakwalls and shoreline shallows hold carp in warm weather and trout and salmon in the cooler months. Some harbors and piers have access restrictions, so check before you go.
When is the best time to fly fish in Illinois?
Late spring through early fall for bass and panfish, once rivers drop and clear. Spring and fall are best for trout and salmon on Lake Michigan.
