Head out on a Fox River, and you’ll have a wealth of hotspots to explore. This waterway is over 200 miles long and winds its way through Illinois into Wisconsin. It also joins up with the Chain O’Lakes in the north and the Illinois River in the south. This means that there’s a whole host of species you can cast a line for!
When fishing on the Fox River, you can explore the nine lakes connected to it, one of its many dams, or the river itself. This means that you’ll find anything from Largemouth Bass to Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, Channel and Flathead Catfish, Crappie, and smaller numbers of Smallmouth Bass. The most common way to cast a line is by simply spinning or casting with live bait, although some captains do troll here.
Fox River fishing charters offer trips running anywhere from a few hours to full day excursions. The main difference between shorter and longer trips is how much of the river you’ll get to explore! If you’re fishing the river itself, a shorter trip will suffice, but if you want to spend time around dams, ponds, and tributaries, a longer day out will allow for more movement on the water.
When it comes to choosing your departure point, you have plenty of places to pick from. Ottawa, IL is a popular location for anglers looking to fish the dam close to the Illinois River. Stay within the Chicago Metropolitan Area, and you can fish the river’s many ponds. Channel Lake on the Illinois–Wisconsin border yields excellent Bass, Musky, Pike, and Panfish fishing. In Wisconsin? Head to one of the “Fox Cities,” named so because they’re located right along the Fox River!
Rules & Regulations
No matter whether you’re casting a line from Wisconsin or Illinois, you’ll need a valid license from your chosen state to fish in the Fox River. Apart from the valid fishing license, make sure you're familiar with the latest rules and regulations regarding the size and bag limits in both states.