Monee Reservoir

Whether you are looking for a place to get away from the stress of everyday life or a place where your family can spend an entire day under the sun, Monee Reservoir is your destination. Monee Reservoir Fishing Wall

The 255-acre Monee Reservoir features a 46-acre lake which once supplied water to steam engines on a railroad, but now provides fishing and boating opportunities to you!

Free shoreline fishing is available, or rent a rowboat from the concessions building by the hour, half day, or full day to fish from the lake. Canoes, kayaks, pedalboats, and trolling motors are also available for rental; boats are rented April 1 through October 31. Receive a free boat rental after five identical rentals with a "Monee Madness" card - get yours at the concessions building! Personal canoes and kayaks may be launched at Monee Reservoir with a daily or seasonal launch pass, which is available for purchase at the concessions building.

You can check current fishing conditions at Monee Reservoir Tuesday through Sunday by calling 708.534.8499. The lake is stocked with bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Taking frogs, turtles, and mussels is prohibited. Catch and Release fishing is encouraged, but daily limits are:

Type of Fish	Daily Limit	Minimum Size
Large or Smallmouth Bass	1	15 inches or larger
Channel Catfish	6	None

The concessions building, open daily except Mondays, offers snacks and the following bait for sale:

Large Minnows - $2/dozen
Small Minnows - $2/dozen
Nightcrawlers - $2.50/dozen
Jumbo Red Worms - $2.50/30 count
Little Red Worms - $2.50/50 count
Wax Worms - $2/20 count
Wax Worm Tub - $9/approximately 250 count
Dough Bait - $4/jar
Stink Bait - $5/jar

Minnows must be purchased from the concessions building. The use of live crayfish is prohibited.

Boy Fishing at Monee Reservoir

In addition, horseshoes, ladder ball equipment, bean bag games, volleyball games, snowshoes, and fishing poles can be rented, and Illinois fishing licenses can be purchased at the concessions building. An Illinois fishing license is required for anyone at least 16 years of age who fishes a public Illinois waterway.

Only line fishing is allowed. Anglers may use a maximum of two poles, with no more than two hooks or lures attached to each. Ice fishing, swimming, wading, and dogs in the water are prohibited. All statewide fishing regulations apply, and may be obtained from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Groups can enjoy the peaceful setting of Monee Reservoir for a family outing. Three picnic sites can be reserved for large get-togethers, or individual tables are available for family picnics on a first-come, first-served basis. The reservoir's open spaces are ideal for such activities as kite flying and bird watching. Visitors to the site can also enjoy the 2.5-mile hiking trail that loops through a wetland, home to many forms of wildlife.

Mushing at Musher Mania

Water recreation-based programs such as Kayak Kollege, You Too Can Canoe, Midnight Madness, and First Time Fishing are held seasonally. Monee is also host to a variety of annual special events, including Musher Mania, Let's Go Fly a Kite, Adult Fishing Derby, and the Kids' Fishing Derby.

When the weather turns cold, Monee Reservoir provides winter recreation as well. An ice-skating pond is available when ice conditions are right, and cross-country skiing is available when the preserve is covered by snow. Snowshoes can be rented from the concessions building for an invigorating hike through the preserve.

Photographs Courtesy of Glenn P. Knoblock and Joan Fasanella

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