Illinois
Des Plaines River at Joliet
Current River Rating
Excellent · 100
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Sunday, 3:00 PM–6:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 6130 CFS
- Gage Height
- 539.16 ft
- Water Temperature
- 79.2 °F
- Latest current reading
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05537980 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Partly cloudy
Temperature
79°F
Feels like
91°F
Wind
2 mph N
Wind gust
3 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 12:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Clear
Temp 77°F
Chance 11%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 7 AM
Clear
Temp 76°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 11 AM
Clear
Temp 84°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 3 PM
Clear
Temp 87°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 7 PM
Clear
Temp 77°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Sat 11 PM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Partly cloudy
High 88°F / Low 71°F
Chance 17%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 65°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 78°F / Low 61°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 86°F / Low 62°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 37 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Des Plaines River at Route 53 at Joliet, Illinois. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065). USGS 05537980 is the bounded lower Des Plaines fishing reach at Joliet, not Riverside 05532500, not Gurnee 05528000, not Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal 05536995, and not the Illinois River. Flow Context remains default-deny.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Des Plaines River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Des Plaines at Joliet is the lower Chicagoland Des Plaines warmwater fishery before it joins the Kankakee to form the Illinois River. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 05537980 using live water temperature, discharge, and stage. This is not the Chicago River, not the Sanitary and Ship Canal, and not Illinois River at Henry. Flow Context remains default-deny.
Target species
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Lower Des Plaines channel catfish at Joliet. USGS 05537980 live 00010. Riverside 05532500 and CSSC 05536995 are not substituted.
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Des Plaines largemouth in slower Joliet pools.
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Des Plaines smallmouth on the Joliet reach.
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Des Plaines common carp at Joliet.
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Lower Des Plaines mainstem at Joliet in Will County, downstream of the CSSC Lockport corridor and upstream of the Kankakee confluence. Distinct from North Branch Chicago River and from Illinois River navigation pools.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public bank and boat access are documented on the Joliet Des Plaines corridor. Catalog coordinates are USGS 05537980 at Route 53.
Stocking information
Warmwater river fishery. Confirm current official Illinois DNR / iFishIllinois stocking and harvest notices.
Official sources
Illinois inland fishing regulations apply. This pin is the Des Plaines at Joliet, not Chicago River, not CSSC, and not Illinois River. Confirm current official IDNR regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Popper-style surface flyGeneral warmwater surface family. Not an insect Hatch event.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral warmwater streamer family. Not a baitfish Hatch event.
- Crayfish-style flyGeneral subsurface family. Crayfish forage is not a Hatch insect.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Will, Illinois
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Will
Management Category
Inland warmwater river
Regulation Scope
Des Plaines River at Joliet
Regulation Summary
Des Plaines River at Joliet: Illinois inland fishing regulations on the lower Des Plaines. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Common Carp
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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