Winnebago County Forest Preserve Forest Preserve to Two Rivers Forest Preserve is 16 quality canoeing if a few simple rules are followed. miles and takes approximately five hours. Going from The river has low head dams at Rockton, Rockford, District Rivers For Canoeing Trask Bridge Forest Preserve to Two Rivers Forest Oregon, Dixon, Sterling (two dams), and Milan. Either Preserve is 10 miles and takes approximately four plan your trip between a single pair or plan to portage RIVER MARKING SYSTEM hours. Pecatonica River Forest Preserve has 50+ site around them. Never paddle near the dams. The Rock A river marking system has been implemented to campground and boat ramp. River sports the largest population of northern pike in aid in the reporting of emergencies. When using Illinois. Diversity is its key, with strong currents, calm Winnebago County rivers, please note your ISHWAUKEE RIVER pools, turbulence below the dams, shallow sloughs location using the mile markers along the banks This rocky-bottomed stream flows through a and islands. Atwood Homestead Forest Preserve, of each river. When summoning help in an Kbeautiful, wooded valley and, with the Hononegah Forest Preserve, Macktown Forest emergency, provide the mile marker number and exception of Belvidere, New Milford, and Cherry Preserve and Rockton Village all have boat ramps. the name of the river to help police and rescue Valley, has little urban development near its shores. Hononegah Forest Preserve has a 63-site campground. personnel respond to the proper location. R=Rock Except during heavy rainfall, the stream is relatively River, K=Kishwaukee River, P=Pecatonica clear, and in the spring you can see smallmouth and FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND THE rock bass hovering over their beds. Many rocky riffles PRESERVE’S PROTECTION River, and S=Sugar River. and gravel bars characterize the 30-mile course from Remember...no matter what activities you intend to Belvidere, and during the last three miles to the mouth, enjoy, proper planning and footwear will make a big UGAR RIVER the stream becomes abraded with many channels-- Fast with riffles and deep pools, the Sugar River difference in your personal comfort. During the some navigable and some not--but all are interesting summer season, insect and tick repellents are another Sflows through “wild” country of wooded banks and wild. You can pull out at Hinchliff Memorial must. To avoid having your vehicle locked inside and secluded backwater areas. Other attractions Forest Preserve, a block upstream from the mouth. include Colored Sands Nature Preserve, and Sugar our gates, keep in mind that all preserves open at Fishing on the stream is excellent. Going from 7:00 a.m. and close ½ hour after sunset. In River Forest Preserve near Shirland, which provides Baumann Park in Cherry Valley to Kishwaukee River 82 sites for camping. Good fishing for smallmouth emergencies call (815) 282-2600. Forest Preserve is 4 miles and takes approximately bass, walleye, northern pike, and channel catfish. two hours. An easy two + hour trip is from the canoe The rivers of Winnebago County are public bodies of Nelson Road canoe launch in Wisconsin to Two access at Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve to the water controlled by the state. Once you set foot on Rivers Forest Preserve in Shirland which is 15 miles ramp at Atwood Park (Atwood Outdoor Education Forest Preserve land from the rivers (posted by white and takes approximately seven hours. In Wisconsin at Center). There are other canoe launches at boundary signs) you are subject to provisions of the Sugar River and County T, you have to portage down Espenscheid Memorial Forest Preserve, Oak Ridge Forest Preserve District “General Use Regulations” the grass bank. At Beloit/Newark Road in Avon there Forest Preserve (south branch). There are four canoe adopted 3-23-2000. A violation of any of these is a gravel road at the bridge and also a DNR parking access launch sites in Belvidere and Atwood Park in regulations may result in the revocation of privileges lot with a concrete boat ramp. The Sugar River Park New Milford. The Kishwaukee River south branch of the responsible individual(s). A copy of these of Rock County is posted closed 10 p.m. - 5 a.m. The from Oak Ridge to Blackhawk Springs is definitely for regulations is available by calling the Forest Preserve canoe launch from Colored Sands Forest Preserve to only canoes--narrow, winding, trees down, and so District Headquarters at (815) 877-6100. Use good Two Rivers Forest Preserve is 7 miles and takes shallow at times it is only inches deep where you have common sense on when to go on a canoe trip. During approximately three hours. to get out on foot. After crossing under Perryville spring/flooding season the current may be too swift for Bridge into Blackhawk Springs (posted on walk safe operation and during the summer/drought season. ECATONICA RIVER bridge), the south & north branches join and the river The rivers could be low enough in spots you would Flows from the Pecatonica Wetlands Forest becomes deeper and wider. After entering Kishwaukee have to portage over. PPreserve at the Village of Pecatonica past River Forest Preserve under Blackhawk Road, it

Pecatonica River Forest Preserve, Trask Bridge Forest becomes shallow again with islands and there is a For maps showing locations of forest preserves, Preserve, and Two Rivers Forest Preserve up to “Rock” bridge going across the river at the visit our website at www.wcfpd.org. For free maps Macktown Forest Preserve where it joins Rock River. Sportsmen’s Park. and more information on canoeing/camping, call Boat ramps in Sumner Park and at the Winnebago the District office at (815) 877-6100. County Fairgrounds on both sides of dam in

Pecatonica. The launch on Farwell Bridge Road over OCK RIVER Pecatonica River in Stephenson County has a gravel Nearly all of the river’s 165 miles provide road to the bank. Going from the Pecatonica River R REGISTRATION  Fishing gear. All canoes used in Illinois must be registered and titled  Sweater or jacket. in Illinois, unless the canoe is registered in another  Extra change of clothes. state. Canoes registered in Illinois must display the  Binoculars. registration decal. One US Coast Guard approved life  Camera. preserver is required for each person in the canoe. To  First aid kit. CANOEING register your canoe call 1-800—382-1696 or go to:  Hat with sun visor. http://www.dnr.state.il.us/admin/boats.htm.  Sunscreen.  Insect repellent. Canoeists on Illinois rivers receive permission from  Tennis shoes. landowners whenever utilizing private property. Many  Rain poncho. of the streams in Illinois are bounded by private land.  Plastic garbage bags to protect your supplies and Any stream that is not legally public and navigable is to carry out litter. private and can only be used with permission from the landowners. Obtain permission from landowners  For overnight trips your group will also need: before launching, take out, camping, picnicking, tent, sleeping bag, ground cloth, tarp to protect portaging, or parking vehicles on private land. gear, flashlight, cooking unit and utensils, Remember that your conduct will greatly influence the matches in waterproof container, two buckets and landowner’s attitude toward other canoeists. soap (biodegradable) for washing dishes, food and drinks. CANOEING TIPS CANOEING SAFETY  Plan your trip in advance.  Portage around all dams.  Know where all dams and other hazards are  Don’t overload your canoe. located.  Each person should wear a life preserver.  Know how long the trip will take.  Know how to swim.  Know where your take-out point is and have a car  Do not drink untreated water from rivers--use waiting there. public water supplies. 5500 Northrock Drive  For overnight trips, know where public campsites  Do not carry firearms. It is illegal to shoot a rifle Rockford, IL 61103 or handgun into or across any river in Illinois. are available. (815) 877-6100  Find out river conditions before you go--high  Avoid alcohol and drugs. water can be dangerous.  Some rivers have a lot of downed trees and will www.wcfpd.org  Don’t trespass; get permission from the require careful maneuvering. e-mail [email protected]

landowner.  Carry out and dispose of all litter. The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District is committed to enabling all to enjoy forest preserves and  Keep all supplies in water-tight containers. invites people of all abilities to discover the benefits of Our Mission: The Winnebago County Forest recreation at our sites, facilities, and programs. If you RECOMMENDED CANOEING GEAR Preserve District is dedicated to protecting, need special accommodations in order to access a  16-foot or longer canoe with one or more spare conserving, enhancing, and promoting Winnebago preserve or facility, please contact the ADA paddles. County's natural heritage for the environmental, coordinator by calling WCFPD Headquarters 815/877-  Canoe repair kit. educational, and recreational benefits of present and 6100. future generations.  Two 25-foot tie ropes or stretch straps for securing supplies. 2011  Life preserver for each person required.  Extra flotation devices if canoeing in rapids or fast water.  Sponge or container for bailing. RECOMMENDED PERSONAL SUPPLIES