Fishing Near Naperville, IL

Many of the small suburban drainage ponds are stocked because of a state statute. I had a blast fishing in one over the Memorial day weekend. Tons of small panfish and this scrappy bass. The pond was a short walk from where we stayed. Get out there and do it, Biggerfish!

LaSalle lake isn't that far of a drive either, relatively speaking for down there anyway. Also the lakeshore harbors and breakwalls wouldn't be out of range for a day trip if you don't mind dealing with Chicago traffic.

Illinois River

Thanks for the tips!

Unfortunately there is not a huge selection of lakes around here. North up I-355 there is Busse Woods, but its electric motors only. There is Shabbona Lake which is about 40 miles west I-88 and a 10hp limit. South down I-55 40 miles +/- there is Mazonia strip mines which are smaller clear lakes with most having no motor restrictions except for no wake. North on 294/94 there is the chain o' lakes which I have no experience with. The are also several rivers in the area that have pretty good fishing. In Naperville there is the DuPage river which I've never fished, but heard has good smallmouth fishing. The Fox River is pretty good for a wide variety of fish. The DesPlaines river is pretty decent. Farther south the Kankakee river is pretty good. I'm not an expert by any means and I usually fish at ponds by my house or in Wisconsin/Michigan/Southern Illinois, but there are some decent areas to fish around Chicago.