Kankakee River River Status Summary 2013

The Kankakee River runs from its origin near South Bend Indiana to the confluence with the Des Plaines River near Channahon. Flowing for a total of 59 miles in Illinois, the Kankakee River River contains 3 dams and 12 larger tributary streams, including the Iroquois River. The upper river is low gradient, running through Momence wetlands, a high quality floodplain forest. Downstream of the Kankakee the gradient increases flowing over bedrock and cobble through Kankakee River State Park and past Wilmington, joining the Des Plaines to form the Illinois River.

Access – Shore access and boat ramps can be found in most of the larger towns along the river including Momence, Aroma Park, Kankakee, and Wilmington. Kankakee River State Park offers 11 miles of excellent river access.

Status of the Sport Fishery – The Kankakee River is a very high quality system supporting a high diversity of fishes and mussels. It is well known as an excellent sport fishery for smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, rock bass, and northern pike.

Smallmouth bass – Smallmouth bass are found throughout the river, although they are generally less numerous upstream of the Kankakee Dam where the channel gradient is lower. Momence is one exception to that rule, where faster currents support a large population. Surveys in fall 2012 at Momence yielded 91smallmouth including 15 fish in the 11-16 inch range. Young-of-the-year and one year old fish were very numerous indicating good reproduction in 2011 and 2012. Smallmouth bass are more abundant and wide spread in the lower river where the gradient increases. Although low water inhibited fall surveys within the State Park, we collected 135 smallmouth at the Bird Park station in Kankakee, with 27 fish in the 11-17 inch range. Small fish were very abundant at this location also. Additional monitoring is conducted at thirteen stations on the mainstem during the summer. Although we typically have lower catch rates in the summer, these data show that total number of smallmouth bass, and the number of larger fish (>14 in.) has increased steadily over the time period from 1975 to 2010. The locations with highest catch rates have been Momence, Kankakee, Davis Creek, Langham Island, and Warner Bridge. Although spawning success was rather poor in 2010, the last two years have been very productive, so future fishing prospects are good and the Kankakee River should remain one of the premier smallmouth bass streams in the Illinois.

Walleye – The DNR initiated a walleye stocking program in 2000, using brood stock collected from the Kankakee River. The stocking program has been very successful as anglers have reported catching more walleye and catch rates in routine surveys h ave also increased. During spring brood fish collection, electrofishing catch rates have averaged 30 per hour at Wilmington an d Kankakee. Based on the recovery of marked individuals, 60% of the walleye collected originated from the stocking program. In 2012, the average size of female brood fish (n=16) was 21 in./3.9 lbs, and the largest fish was 24 in./5.8 lbs.. Average size for the males (n=40) was 17.5 in./2.0 lbs. Although summer catch rates for walleye are lower, these data show increased numbers of walleye for the last two surveys in 2005 and 2010. The locations with the highest catch rates have been Aroma Park, Kankakee, Custer Park, and Wilmington. Current plans are to continue the stocking program to maintain the Kankakee as an excellent walleye fishery.

Channel catfish – Channel catfish were found at all 13 locations in the 2010 summer survey, with an average of 11 fish per hour and a total catch of 147. The sample was dominated by larger (>16 in.) fish, which comprised over 85% of the collection. Fish in the 20 to 29 inch range made up almost half of the total (n=69). The best locations were Momence, Rt. 17 Bridge, Kankakee, Langham Island, and Warner Bridge. Catch rates were similar in 2005 and 2010, both representing the highest levels recorded over the period 1975 – 2000. Young fish were rare in 2010, but in 2012 fall surveys we observed a very strong year class of channel catfish. As we have found on most rivers, electrofishing typically underestimates the abundance for this bottom dwelling species. Many anglers would agree that the Kankakee is fine river for channel catfish.

Largemouth bass/bluegill – These species are relatively abundant and widespread in distribution. Both tend to be more common at the low gradient stations with slower flows. Catch rate for largemouth bass in 2010 was 17/hr.; State Line, River Isle, and the Confluence were among the best locations. Few larger fish were collected and most of the collection was composed of young-of-the- year. A total of 224 bluegill were collected in the 2010 summer survey; the stations at River Isle, Kankakee and the Confluence held over 80% of the fish. We collected 44 fish 6 inches or larger and over one-third of the sample included young-of–the-year.

Northern pike and rock bass – In 2010 we collected 27 northern pike, all but one upstream of the Kankakee Dam. The sample included only 2 fish over 20 inches, however there were 19 young-of-the-year, indicating successful reproduction. The number of pike has increased in the last 2 summer collections. Rock bass numbers were down in 2010, with only a total of 49 fish collected (4 /hr.). However, longterm collections show their number to be very cyclic and the 2012 fall sample indicates an increase since 2010. We found a very abundant population at Bird Park in 2012, with many larger fish collected from brush piles near deep water.

Fishing Regulations – Statewide regulations apply except: smallmouth bass - Downstream of Kankakee Dam, 12” to18” protected slot, 1 fish over 18”, 2 fish under 12; walleye –14 “ minimum, 18” to 26” protected slot, 3 fish daily creel, only 1 > 26”. See Illinois Fishing Information Booklet for regulations and www.ifishillinois.org for complete fishery reports.

STATEWIDE SPORTFISHING REGULATIONS AQUATIC LIFE STATEWIDE CREEL AND SIZE LIMITS*

Daily catch limit is 6 bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In streams and rivers (excluding the mainstem of the Mississippi, Ohio including the Golconda Marina, and Wabash Rivers) the Black Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth & Spotted Bass) daily creel can contain no more than 3 smallmouth bass. In streams and tribu- taries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio including the Golconda Marina, Wabash and Illinois Rivers, all smallmouth bass must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15. There is no statewide size limit.

1 fish (singly or collectively) daily creel limit; minimum length is 36 inches; refer Tiger and Pure Muskies to the Site Specific Sportfishing Regulations. In some waters the minimum length is 42 or 48 inches for pure muskies.

3 fish daily creel limit with 24 inches minimum length limit except in the Northern Pike Mississippi and Ohio Rivers (refer to Site Specific Sportfishing Regulations.)

5 fish (singly or collectively) daily creel limit; no more than 5 fish of any one Salmon and Trout in Lake Michigan species (except for Lake Trout where 2 fish is the daily creel limit); for all species the minimum length limit is 10 inches.

Salmon and Trout outside of Lake Michigan 5 fish (singly or collectively) daily creel limit. No creel limit for fish less than 17 inches long except for certain waters. The creel limit for fish 17 inches or longer is 3 fish in all waters excluding the Temperate Bass (Striped, White & Hybrid Striped Bass) Mississippi River bordering Missouri where there is a 30 fish daily creel limit and in the Mississippi River bordering Iowa where there is a 25 fish daily creel limit (refer to site specific regulations).

6 fish (singly or collectively) daily creel limit except in the Mississippi River (refer to Site Specific Sportfishing Regulations); minimum length limit is 14 inches Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrid Walleye/Sauger (except in the Mississippi River, Ohio River, Wabash River, or as specified under Site Specific Sportfishing Regulations.

The daily catch limit for common snapping turtles is 2 with a possession Common Snapping Turtles and Bullfrogs (season June 15 to August 31 both dates limit of 4. inclusive) The daily catch limit for bullfrogs is 8 with a possession limit of 16. Indigenous Amphibian and Reptile taxa (excluding common snapping turtles and Possession limit is 8 collectively with no more than 4 per taxa. bullfrogs)

*The above are statewide sportfish regulations. Specific water areas may have sportfish regulations which differ and are more restrictive. Please check the site Specific Sportfish Regulations which follow and are posted (at boat launches and at site offices) at each water area where applicable. State Endangered and Threatened Species may not be taken for any purpose.

January 6, 2014