Indiana
Kankakee River at Dunns Bridge
Location Snapshot
Kankakee River at Dunns Bridge is a northwest Indiana river reach with a coolwater and warmwater predator mix. The principal supported target is northern pike, with smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and channel catfish adding additional species variety to the same fishery.
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
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
Tuesday, 9:00 AM–12:00 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.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1090 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.22 ft
- Water Temperature
- 53.4 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 9:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05517500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
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
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
50°F
Feels like
44°F
Wind
6 mph NE
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 19, 2026, 9:15 PM
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
Tue 5 AM
Fog
Temp 38°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Tue 9 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Tue 1 PM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 5 PM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 9 PM
Clear
Temp 51°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 1 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Fog
High 68°F / Low 35°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 70°F / Low 39°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 8 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Partly cloudy
High 72°F / Low 54°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 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
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
This Kankakee reach is in the old Kankakee Grand Marsh, where Indiana's wildlife area takes in the Kankakee and the Yellow River.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Kankakee 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
Target species
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Official sources
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
Jasper, Indiana
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
Jasper
Management Category
Inland warmwater river
Regulation Scope
Kankakee River at Dunns Bridge.
Regulation Summary
Kankakee River at Dunns Bridge: Indiana inland fishing regulations at Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…