🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Downgraded road since the Canton Ferry closed in 2014. See Source Reference.
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🌊 Carlyle Lake
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer ParkingFish Cleaning
Managed by Army Corps
IL's largest man-made lake
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🌊 Fox Chain O'Lakes
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer ParkingCourtesy Dock
Managed by State
Connected lakes system
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🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Ramp Approach: 2 boat ramps- first ramp points upstream, second ramp perpendicular to the river First ramp preferred for paddle access landing Dike structure/walkway protrudes into the river between ramps. Rocky bank downstream of both ramps
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🌊 Clinton Lake
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by State
Central IL fishing
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🌊
Gravel
Trailer Parking
Not really an access point, but you can access the creek here
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🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Gap in guardrail to carry about 10 feet
Closed October 15 to April 15
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🌊 Kinkaid Lake
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by City
Shawnee Hills musky
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🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Ramp Approach: points downstream. Miss Augusta yacht will either be docked at a dock just upstream of ramp or will be doing river tours.
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🌊 Lake Michigan
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by Park District
Near Museum Campus
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📍 Directions
🌊 Lake Michigan
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by Park District
Chicago lakefront
📄 Details
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🌊 Lake Shelbyville
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer ParkingFish Cleaning
Managed by Army Corps
Central IL recreation
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📍 Directions
🌊 Lake Springfield
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by City
State capital lake
📄 Details
📍 Directions
🌊 Lake of Egypt
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by Lake of Egypt Water Co
Southern IL bass
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📍 Directions
🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Ramp Approach: points perpendicular to the river. Just downstream of Boat House & Museum structure.
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🌊 Mississippi River
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by City
Great catfish and bass
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📍 Directions
🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Access point for Monopoly Marsh in the Wilderness. No motors. Really cool swamp. Mostly open water with scatted cypress trees.
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🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Ramp Approach: Points slightly downstream. Dike with wood pilings protrudes into the river upstream side of the ramp. Paddle wide around dike then turn up into eddy to paddle into ramp. At end of string of street lights along river.
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🌊 Ohio River
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by City
Superman statue town
📄 Details
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🌊 Illinois River
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by State
Confluence with Mississippi
📄 Details
📍 Directions
🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Not a contributing feature in the Great Lakes Naval Training Station Historic District
📄 Details
📍 Directions
🌊 Rend Lake
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer ParkingFish CleaningFuel Dock
Managed by Army Corps
Southern IL premier lake
📄 Details
📍 Directions
🌊 Lake Sangchris
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by State
Near Springfield
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📍 Directions
🌊 Illinois River
Concrete
RestroomsTrailer Parking
Managed by Army Corps
Scenic bluffs area
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📍 Directions
🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Ramp Approach: Wide boat ramp points upstream. Can be difficult to land. If river is low, will be a long trailing (parallel) dike upstream of ramp. When departing, there is a buoy right downstream.
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🌊
Concrete
Trailer Parking
Ramp Approach: points downstream. Some mud landing downstream of ramp.
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📍 Directions
Frequently Asked Questions — Boat Ramps in Illinois
How many public boat ramps are in Illinois? ▼
RampFinder lists 930 public boat ramps in Illinois, including 924 free launches. We continuously add new ramps as we discover them.
Are there free boat ramps in Illinois? ▼
Yes! 924 of our 930 listed ramps in Illinois are completely free to use. Many are maintained by county, city, or state agencies.
What are the most popular fishing waters in Illinois? ▼
The most popular waters with boat ramps include , Rend Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Michigan, Illinois River. Each offers public launch access for fishing and recreation.
Do I need a permit to launch a boat in Illinois? ▼
Requirements vary by location. Some ramps are free, while state parks typically require entry fees. Always check local regulations. Many Army Corps of Engineers and municipal ramps are free to the public.