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Boat launches
Illinois Boat Launches
215 public boat ramps and launches on 90 Illinois lakes in our guide. Open a lake for its full map, bait shops and what's biting.
Anderson Lake 2 launches
- Anderson Lake boat ramp — Boat ramp; during waterfowl season boat fishing (electric motors only) is allowed in a designated area near the ramp
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Argyle Lake 2 launches
- Argyle Lake public boat launch — Public launch and docks in the northwest arm, with boat and pontoon rentals
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Baldwin Lake 2 launches
- Baldwin Lake two-lane boat ramp — Concrete two-lane ramp with docks and parking; shore access on west and north sides
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Banner Marsh 3 launches
- Bell's Landing (Shovel Lake) — Concrete boat ramp, 25 vehicle/trailer parking, restrooms
- Johnson Lake boat ramp — Concrete ramp, 50 vehicle/trailer parking, accessible fishing pier
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Braidwood Lake 3 launches
- County Line Road ramp (south) — Four-lane concrete ramp with parking
- Cemetery Road ramp (north) — Two-lane concrete ramp with 35 parking spaces
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Busse Lake 2 launches
- Busse Lake Boating Center — Trailer-friendly launch ramps near the boathouse; rental canoes, kayaks, rowboats and paddleboats April to October
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Carlyle Lake 6 launches
- Horseshoe Island Boat Access — USACE Carlyle Lake boat access area (CorpsLakes listing)
- North Fork Boat Access — USACE Carlyle Lake boat access area (CorpsLakes listing)
- Patoka Boat Access — USACE Carlyle Lake boat access area (CorpsLakes listing)
- Tamalco Boat Access — USACE Carlyle Lake boat access area (CorpsLakes listing)
- Wood Duck Boat Access — USACE Carlyle Lake boat access area (CorpsLakes listing)
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Cedar Lake 3 launches
- City of Carbondale boat area — Cedar Creek Road off Old Route 51 South
- Boat Dock Road ramp — South of Murphysboro off State Route 127
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Clinton Lake 1 launch
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Coffeen Lake 3 launches
- Boat ramp 1 — Concrete ramp, Coffeen Lake SFWA
- Boat ramp 2 — Concrete ramp, Coffeen Lake SFWA
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Crab Orchard Lake 1 launch
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Dawson Lake 2 launches
- Dawson Lake boat ramp — Boat ramps are available; watercraft need a McLean County registration decal
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Devil's Kitchen Lake 3 launches
- Line 6 boat ramp — Boat ramp on the refuge; the area south of it is no-wake
- Shore fishing — Open to fishing by boat and from shore year-round
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Dolan Lake 2 launches
- Dolan Lake boat ramp — Launching ramp at Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Dutchman Lake 3 launches
- Dutchman Lake gravel boat launch — Gravel launch at the end of Forest Road 400; no restrooms or drinking water
- Shoreline — Bank fishing available
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
East Fork Lake 2 launches
- East Fork Boat Ramp — Public boat ramp with kayak rentals and handicap access. City of Olney boat sticker required.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Evergreen Lake 2 launches
- Comlara Park boat launches — Two boat launches and one canoe launch. County watercraft registration required.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Forbes Lake 2 launches
- Forbes State Park boat ramps — Public boat ramps inside the state park. Handicap access available.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Fox Chain O'Lakes 1 launch
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Frank Holten Lakes 3 launches
- Frank Holten boat ramps — Boat fishing allowed with a 10 hp limit. Park closes at 8:30 PM.
- Bank fishing — Bank fishing is allowed at both lakes.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Glenn Shoals Lake 3 launches
- North Marina ramp — Concrete boat ramp
- South Marina ramp — Concrete boat ramp
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Governor Bond Lake 3 launches
- Main ramp — Concrete ramp at the southwest end off Red Ball Trail. Marina with gas nearby.
- East Lake Drive ramp — Concrete ramp on the southeast side off East Lake Drive.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Heidecke Lake 2 launches
- Heidecke Lake boat ramp — Three-lane concrete ramp, 100+ vehicle/trailer parking, handicap accessible, no launch fee; 5010 N. Jugtown Rd, Morris
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Homer Lake 2 launches
- Homer Lake boat ramps — Three boat ramps and a canoe and kayak launch. Kayak rentals available. No launch fee.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County) 2 launches
- Boat ramps around the lake — IDNR says launching ramps are located around the lake; nine boat docks are available for rent. Private boats limited to 10 hp motors; trolling motors only Oct 15 to Mar 1.
- More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees
Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) 2 launches
- Horseshoe Lake State Park main boat ramp — North shore inside the park; IDNR lists two public ramps; 3321 Hwy 111, Granite City
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Johnson Sauk Lake 2 launches
- Johnson Sauk Trail State Recreation Area lake — IDNR lists fishing and boating on the lake; boat rentals are available. Ramp location not confirmed.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Jones Lake 2 launches
- Saline County SFWA boat ramp — One launch ramp and two docks
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Kickapoo Lakes 2 launches
- Kickapoo SRA lake ramps — 12 launching ramps on nine of the lakes
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Kinkaid Lake 3 launches
- Mt. Joy (Main Marina) boat launch — Free public launch owned by IDNR, Marina Rd, Murphysboro
- Kinkaid Lake Villages Marina — 2063 Marina Rd, Murphysboro; (618) 687-4914; fuel dock April 1 - Oct 31
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
LaSalle Lake 2 launches
- LaSalle Lake boat launch — Three-lane concrete ramp, ADA accessible, southwestern corner of lake
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Bloomington 2 launches
- Hubbard Park boat ramp — Take County Road 1750 East to Park View Lane, then east. Boats need a State Boating License and a City of Bloomington boat permit.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Carlton 2 launches
- Lake Carlton boat ramp — Two-lane concrete ramp
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Centralia 2 launches
- Waverunner Cove boat ramp — 2234 Waverunner Cove, Salem. Boats 21 feet and under. State watercraft card and city boat license needed for motorboats.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Charleston 3 launches
- Lake Charleston Spillway Park ramp — 17757 Lake Charleston Loop, Charleston. Public boat ramp.
- Fishing pier — Fishing pier on the lake
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Chautauqua 3 launches
- Eagle Bluff Access Point — Boat ramps for the North and South pools while the refuge is open (Feb 1 to Oct 15)
- Liverpool and Havana ramps — Used to reach the river during the Oct 16 to Jan 31 waterfowl closure
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Decatur 2 launches
- Nelson Park boat ramps — City of Decatur launch; boat registration or day pass from the Lake Patrol office in Nelson Park; fees apply
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake George 2 launches
- Lake George boat ramp — Public ramp with docks and boat rental docks. No fishing from the docks.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Jacksonville 2 launches
- Lake Jacksonville boat ramp — 2197 New Lake Rd, Jacksonville.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Mattoon 2 launches
- Lake Mattoon Marina — 1282 County Road 000 East, Neoga. Boat and trailer stickers are sold here.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Mingo 2 launches
- Lake Mingo public boat ramp — Public boat ramp and water access near Danville
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Pittsfield 2 launches
- Pittsfield Lake boat ramp — Boat ramps are available. Call the city at (217) 285-4484 for details.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Sara 2 launches
- Lake Sara public boat ramp — 8724 E Marine Rd, Effingham.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Shelbyville 5 launches
- Opossum Creek Boat Ramp — USACE ramp, Opossum Creek Recreation Area, west shore; courtesy dock, fish cleaning station
- Lithia Springs Boat Ramp — USACE ramp, Lithia Springs Recreation Area, east shore; courtesy dock, fish cleaning station
- Whitley Creek Boat Ramp — USACE two-lane ramp, northeast shore; courtesy dock, fish cleaning station
- Forrest W. Bo Wood Boat Ramp — USACE two-lane ramp, Forrest W. Bo Wood Recreation Area; courtesy dock, fish cleaning station
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Springfield 5 launches
- Center Park Harbor — CWLP public launch, wheelchair accessible
- Lindsay Bridge — CWLP public launch and boat licensing station (Saturdays); 217-786-4075
- Spaulding Dam — CWLP public launch, wheelchair accessible
- Lake Springfield Marina — Boat licensing; 217-483-3625
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Storey 2 launches
- Lake Storey boat ramp — Public ramp at 149 Lakeland Dr, Galesburg
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Sule 2 launches
- Lake Sule boat ramp — Public boat ramp and water access near Rochelle
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Taylorville 2 launches
- Lake Taylorville Marina — City-run marina with boating access and bait sales; summer office hours vary, closed Wednesdays
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake Vermilion 2 launches
- Lake Vermilion County Park boat ramp — Boat ramp and dock complex with a concession building; park closes at dark except for boating and fishing
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lake of Egypt 2 launches
- Mack's Lake of Egypt Marina public ramp — $10 launch fee; 12024 Laguna Dr, Marion; (618) 964-1821
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lincoln Trail Lake 2 launches
- Lincoln Trail State Park boat ramp — Launching ramp with trailer parking; boat rentals available
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Little Grassy Lake 2 launches
- Little Grassy Lake refuge access — Refuge boat access and bank fishing; the marina and campground are permanently closed and the lake is being drawn down for dam repairs
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lou Yaeger Lake 2 launches
- Southwest shore boat ramps (2) — City of Litchfield boat sticker required to launch
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Lyerla Lake 2 launches
- Lyerla Lake boat launch — Launch next to Reynoldsville Road
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area 3 launches
- Boss Lake ramp — Boat ramp with an outdoor toilet.
- Osprey Lake ramp — Boat ramp and fishing pier, with an outdoor toilet.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Mazonia Lakes 2 launches
- Mazonia-Braidwood access roads — Walk-in and bank fishing at the ponds. Bullhead Lake is open to paddle craft only.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
McCullom Lake 2 launches
- McCullom Lake public ramp — Public boat ramp at 4904 W Shore Dr, McHenry.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Mermet Lake 2 launches
- Mermet State Lake ramp — Public boat ramp near Mermet.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Mill Creek Lake 2 launches
- Mill Creek Lake ramp — Public boat ramp in Mill Creek Park.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Murphysboro Lake 3 launches
- Lake Murphysboro boat ramp — Public boat ramp and water access at 921 Main Park Rd, Murphysboro
- Accessible fishing pier — Fishing pier in the state park
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Newton Lake 2 launches
- South access ramp — Two-lane boat ramp at the south access area
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Otter Lake 2 launches
- Otter Lake boat ramps — Boat ramps listed for the lake
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Paris Twin Lakes 2 launches
- Twin Lakes Park — City park with fishing on the West Lake and a boat dock on the East Lake
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Pierce Lake 2 launches
- Pierce Lake ramps — Two launching ramps and docks
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Powerton Lake 2 launches
- South side boat ramp — Double concrete ramp with 90-car parking lot
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Prairie Lake (Jim Edgar Panther Creek) 2 launches
- Prairie Lake Day Use Area — Boat ramp with a kayak launch; unlimited horsepower but a no-wake zone across the entire lake
- More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees
Pyramid Lakes 2 launches
- Boat ramps on the larger lakes — All lakes can be reached on foot
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Raccoon Lake 3 launches
- Raccoon Lake marina and ramp — 820 Country Club Rd, Centralia.
- Fishing dock — Partly ADA accessible.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Randolph County Lake 2 launches
- North boat launch — Public ramp on the north end
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Rend Lake 1 launch
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Rice Lake 2 launches
- Rice Lake boat ramp — Boat ramp per IDNR; boat fishing prohibited October 1 - April 1
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Saganashkee Slough 2 launches
- Saganashkee Slough boat launch — 10700 S 116th Ave, Willow Springs
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Sahara Woods 3 launches
- Sahara Lake ramp — Handicap accessible
- Strip cut ramp — On a 15-acre cut east of the lake
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Sam Dale Lake 2 launches
- South shore launch — Public ramp midway along the south shore; rental boats available
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Sam Parr Lake 3 launches
- North ramp — Public ramp on the north side
- South ramp — Public ramp on the south side
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Sanganois 2 launches
- Sanganois SFWA boat ramp — IDNR Places to Fish lists boat ramps available; exact location not confirmed
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Sangchris Lake 4 launches
- East Ramp — State park boat launch
- West Ramp — State park boat launch
- Strawkus Ramp — State park boat launch
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Schuy-Rush Lake 3 launches
- Schuy-Rush Lake boat ramp — One concrete ramp on the northwest side. A boating permit is sold through the campground host.
- City park and camping area — Small park at the north end of the lake
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Shabbona Lake 5 launches
- Day-use area ramp — Double-lane launch ramp
- Campground ramp — Single-lane ramp
- Boondock Supply concession — Bait, tackle and boat rentals on site
- Upper fishing area — 18 acres, electric trolling motors or rowing only
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Siloam Springs Lake 4 launches
- Main launch ramp — Southeast side of the lake
- Cartop launch — Northeast side, good for canoes and kayaks
- Fishing piers and bank areas — Several piers and shore spots
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Silver Lake 2 launches
- Silver Lake boat launch — For canoes, kayaks and other non-gas craft. Open March 1 to Nov 30. Forest preserve boating permit required.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Skokie Lagoons 3 launches
- Tower Road boat launch — Accessible ramp at Lagoon 3 for non-gas-powered boats
- Shoreline — Bank fishing around the lagoons
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Snakeden Hollow Lake 2 launches
- Boat launch ramp — Reached from County Road No. 28; vehicle traffic is limited to the launch area
- More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees
Spring Lake North 3 launches
- North lake concrete ramp — One concrete ramp
- North lake gravel ramp — One gravel ramp
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Spring Lake South 2 launches
- South lake ramp — One concrete boat ramp. Boats can be rented near the ramp.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Tampier Lake 3 launches
- Tampier Lake Boating Center — Trailered launch for canoes, kayaks, rowboats and boats with electric trolling motors. Boat rentals and bait on site. Phone 708-830-5194.
- Tampier Lake West — Fishing access off South Will Cook Road, south of 131st Street.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Ten Mile Creek Lake 2 launches
- Concrete boat ramps — Five concrete ramps serve the strip pit lakes, plus gravel ramps and parking areas.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Walnut Point Lake 2 launches
- Boat launches — Two single-lane launches with floating docks and fixed piers.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Washington County Lake 2 launches
- Washington County State Recreation Area — Public lake access at 18500 Conservation Drive, Nashville. Phone 618-327-3137.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees
Wolf Lake 3 launches
- Boat ramps — Three launch ramps north of the main entrance at 123rd Street and Avenue O.
- Shoreline — About six miles of shoreline open to bank fishing.
- More public access — See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and fees