Monee Reservoir features a 46-acre lake providing fishing and boating opportunities. Free shoreline fishing is available, or rowboats can be rented from the concessions building. Canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and trolling motors are also available for rental, or you can purchase a one-day or season launch pass to use your own canoe or kayak. Boats are rented April 1 through October 31.

 

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.

 

The concessions building, open daily except Mondays, offers bait, fishing licenses, and snacks for sale. A fishing license is required for anyone at least 16 years of age who fishes a public Illinois waterway. Additionally, horseshoes, ladder ball equipment, bean bag games, and fishing poles can be rented. 

The following bait is available 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.

The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie. Taking frogs, turtles, and mussels is prohibited. Catch and Release fishing is encouraged, but daily limits are:

 

Type of Fish	Daily Limit	Minimum Size
Largemouth Bass	1	15 inches or larger
Channel Catfish	6	None
Northern Pike	3	24 inches or larger

 
You can check current fishing conditions at Monee Reservoir Tuesday through Sunday by checking the Monee Reservoir Fishing Report on-line or calling 708.534.8499. 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.

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.