Illinois Boating

Plenty of fun places to go boating in Illinois. Whether it's a family outing or just the guys going fishing or skiing, boating is fun for all. And there is boating in all corners of of the state. Whether you live in the northwest, northeast, southwest or southeast part of the state, chances there are plenty of opportunities to go boating nearby.

Boating in IL

Illinois is a boating paradise, get out in the great outdoors and enjoy it every chance you get. For further information about boating in Illinois, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Boating Licenses located at One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702. The phone number is 217 557-0180.

Illinois locator map - boating opportunities.

This website focuses on all aspects of boating including new and used boats for sale, boat rentals, repairs, accessories, storage and more.

For convenience, resources are listed first by area of the Illinois, then by proximity to cities, waterways, parks, campgrounds and other relative attractions in IL. Cities listed in this section include Cambridge, Peoria, Rock Island, Rockford, Springfield, Arlington Heights, Aurora, Bloomington, Chicago, Joilet, Alton, Belleville, Carbondale, Granite City, Quincy, Champaign, Charleston, Decatur, Effingham and Marion.

Resources are also identified nearby campgrounds including Argyle Lake State Park, Illini State Park , Powerton Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, Chain O'Lakes State Park, Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area, Gebhard Woods State Park, Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, Lake Murphysboro State Park, Washington County State Recreational Area, Cave-In-Rock State Park, Fort Massac State Park and Saline County State Fish & Wildlife Area.

Rivers & Lakes For Boating in IL

Illinois lakes with boating opportunities are listed within quadrants of Illinois include Apple Canyon Lake, Lake Carroll, Lake Summerset, Secachwine Lake, Spring Lake, Channel Lake, Fox Lake, Heidecke Lake, Lake Clinton, Lake Michigan, Carlyle Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Springfield, Sangchris Lake, Lake Of Egypt, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Taylorville, Newton Lake and Rend Lake. Many of these lakes offer multiple boat launching facilities at various locations around the lake.

Illinois also affords some boating or canoeing on rivers like Green River, Rock River, Fox River, Mackinaw River, Big Muddy River, Kaskaskia River, Embarras River and Wabash River.

Boating opportunities in Illinois

Northwest IL Boating
Northeast IL Boating
Southwest IL Boating
Southeast IL Boating

IL boating equipment and gear.

Throughout Illinois you can find boat dealers, outdoor centers, sporting good stores, bait and tackle stores, RV centers and discount stores offering a wide variety of boating equipment, accessories and supplies.

Go boating in Illinois

Gather up the family along with some snacks and refreshing beverages and go enjoy the thrill of fresh air in your face and the sun on your back. When boating you can see parts of Illinois accessible only by water. Often you'll see birds and wildlife not normally seen in city areas. Plus, sunrises and sunsets always seem more majestic when you are in the great outdoors.