You might note that some of those access points on the map along lake MI are not all "open to the the public". For some you must pay a steep launching fee or buy a yearly pass. Some of the Chicago beaches do allow boats to launch though.

I'll point out that the Chicago River from Weed Street (heh heh) to the loop is a neat run, then turning east thru the heart of downtown is wayyy kewl.  There's a transition point where the mucky river gives way to the Lk. Michigan water than infiltrates thru the locks and the water becomes swimming pool blue.  From passing used condoms to water that you'd nearly want to dip a cup in in a couple hundred yards.  I love that trip and I'll do it again, maybe from further upstream like Bunker Hill or Oakton St landing.

Very cool.  Thank you.  I drive past a put in near the border and it looks all right.  Like there might even be fish up there.   I may give it a shot.

TTC,

Thank you for putting the Water Trails Map link up, couldn't find it last night.

For the Chicago area, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) is also very informative.  I shows public access points to all the major streams and rivers of the area.

Never really tried the fishing, but paddle the upper river fairly often, down to about Golf Rd. There are a few snags or log jams here and there to negotiate, but mostly it is open. A couple guys with an old town square stern and a motor are out there just about every weekend trying to run through the smaller ones to bust them up. Once you get a few miles north of the state line, the river does fill in with many fallen trees.

There is a lot of information to be had on the internet.... you might find a couple of these interesting.

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If you have any questions feel free to IM me.

BT

It is not much to fish so I do not spend much time doing it.  I did hook one northern last year.  Several years ago my son and I anchored and thru out a big gob of worm and we caught several cats and carp. If you are up but the border it may be a much different river.  I am at Lemont and for the most part it is dirty.
I don’t see much mentioned about this section of the Des Plaines River but there are several people that canoe it.  During the summer months some one rents canoes and shuttles people back up stream. I would not plan on swimming or wading in it.
I went out again last weekend.
Magicpaddler

MP,

How is the fishing on DesPlaines?  I often think about putting in to it near the border and giving it a shot.  Are you aware of any good paddling links discussing that river?

GFY

what "state" of mind do you live in?   

//windsailor

Got my RobRoy out on the Des Plaines River today.  New fish detector works well.  River is up and running fast. Lots of work to go up stream so I checked out some back water areas.  Had to make sure a couple of blue barrels were empty. 
MagicPaddler