River Fun in IllinoisThe rivers and streams of Illinois have much to offer, whether you like to fish, hunt, paddle a canoe or kayak, watch birds, or go camping or hiking. In our outreach and educational programs, Prairie Rivers Network staff have met many Illinois residents who were surprised to learn of the beauty, diversity, and ecological health of our state's streams and were amazed to learn of the recreational opportunities associated with these beautiful natural treasures.There are many beautiful areas in Illinois, and one way to discover a nearby adventure is to find your nearest river! To help you enjoy our rivers and streams, we have provided the following links and information, in the hopes that you will explore these opportunities. Be safe, and have fun! Upcoming river eventsMany organizations hold river-related events on our rivers and streams. Check our events calendar for more information.River ExperiencesIllinois has many beautiful natural areas for those visiting or living in Illinois, and many are drawn to rivers to enjoy nature. Illinois' rivers and streams offer a diversity of landscape and wildlife, waiting for those explorers to unlock our state's secrets. Our flowing waters always offer something in return for those who seek them.The volunteers and staff have compiled lists of natural areas to make it easier for those to experience the rivers and streams of Illinois. Our lists are organized into five regions of the state, and have numerous outdoor recreation opportunities to enjoy. We hope to have all five regions updated shortly, so please check back for more recreational ideas: Chicagoland East central Illinois The National Park Service has also compiled a list of significant Illinois streams for their biological, geological, and recreational value. You can make plans to visit many of these streams, and enjoy Illinois' natural beauty. Whether you like bird watching, fishing, hunting, or simply visiting beautiful scenery, our streams will provide you with an unforgettable experience: Illinois Rivers and Streams. Canoe liveries/outfittersThere are many places to rent canoes and kayaks for a trip on the rivers of Illinois. We have compiled a list of these outfitters, and you can download this list here. If there are other businesses that provide canoe and kayak rental, please contact us to help us update our list (info@prairierivers.org).FishingIllinois Department of Natural Resources Fishing Page (www.ifishillinois.org) Purchase Illinois fishing licenses online and view other information on fishing in Illinois. Will also provide links for boating licenses and hunting.The Illinois Smallmouth Alliance (ISA) is an organization of catch and release anglers helping to preserve the smallmouth bass and its habitat through education and conservation, and a great way to learn more on the latest fishing techniques. EducationBe RiverSmart, Illinois! Learn how you can do simple things to improve water quality in Illinois by clicking here. Our rivers are closer than you think!Become a citizen scientist and monitor wildlife and stream habitat with Illinois DNR's RiverWatch Program. River SafetySafety tips for paddlers from Illinois Paddling Council: http://www.illinoispaddling.org//safety.htmlAmerican Canoe Association Safety Resources webpage http://www.acanet.org/sei-safety-rsrc.htm Information on dams in northeastern Illinois http://pages.ripco.net/~jwn/dam.html Water Levels & Stream GuagesStream gauges for Illinois http://waterdata.usgs.gov/il/nwis/rt | |