Find Trails > Illinois > Rockford > Rockford Fishing Trails

Rockford, IL Fishing Trails and Maps

965 Reviews

Looking for the best Fishing trails around Rockford?

Find the top rated fishing trails in Rockford, whether you're looking for an easy short fishing trail or a long fishing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a fishing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

Go to:

Map Search

Relevance
Name
Length
Most Popular

Baumann Park Recreation Path

1.25 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

Fox River Trail (IL)

45.7 mi

State: IL

Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Grant Woods Bike Path

5.9 mi

State: IL

Crushed Stone

Jane Addams Trail

18.9 mi

State: IL

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Kishwaukee River Recreation Path

2.5 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

Kishwaukee Riverfront Path

6.9 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

Kiwanis Bike Trail

4 mi

State: WI

Asphalt

Millennium Trail (IL)

30.7 mi

State: IL

Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Moraine Hills State Park Trail

11.4 mi

State: IL

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Prairie Trail (IL)

26.4 mi

State: IL

Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Puri Path

4 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

Rock River Parkway Trail

2.4 mi

State: WI

Asphalt, Concrete

Rock River Recreation Path

10 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

White River State Trail

19.7 mi

State: WI

Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Hennepin Canal State Trail

93 mi

State: IL

Asphalt, Grass, Gravel

River Bend Trail (Silver Glen Trail)

4.4 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

Dorr Road Bike Path

2.7 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

Oregon Park East Bike Path

0.25 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

Riverside Corridor Bike-Walking Trail

9.2 mi

State: WI

Asphalt, Concrete

Sterling Multi-Activity Recreational Trail (SMART Pathway)

2 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

Accordion

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	Baumann Park Recreation Path Baumann Park is adjacent to the Kishwaukee River in Cherry Valley, a community on the outskirts of Rockford in northern Illinois. A paved pathway runs through the park and loops around Baumann Park...	IL	1.25 mi	Asphalt	2 reviews
	Fox River Trail (IL) The Fox River Trail (FRT) was built on stretches of three former railroads: Chicago, Aurora & Elgin; Aurora, Elgin, & Fox River Electric; and Chicago & North Western. Today, it hosts a multitude of...	IL	45.7 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone	96 reviews
	Grant Woods Bike Path About an hour northwest of Chicago, the beautiful Grant Woods Forest Preserve spans more than 1,000 acres, offering an outdoor respite of prairie, woodlands and marshes. The crushed limestone pathway...	IL	5.9 mi	Crushed Stone	8 reviews
	Jane Addams Trail The Jane Addams Trail runs for 18.9 miles between Orangeville and Freeport, following a rail line that the Illinois Central built in 1887 between Freeport, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin. The route,...	IL	18.9 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	44 reviews
	Kishwaukee River Recreation Path The Kishwaukee River Recreation Path runs for 2.5 miles in Cherry Valley on the outskirts of Rockford in northern Illinois. The well-maintained, asphalt trail connects the Kishwaukee River Forest...	IL	2.5 mi	Asphalt	8 reviews
	Kishwaukee Riverfront Path The Kishwaukee Riverfront Path winds nearly 7 miles through downtown Belvidere, east of Rockford in northern Illinois. As its name implies, the paved scenic trail follows the waterway for most of its...	IL	6.9 mi	Asphalt	6 reviews
	Kiwanis Bike Trail The Kiwanis Bike Trail, named for the Kiwanis Club that spearheaded the effort to build the trail, parallels the western bank of the Rock River through the southern Wisconsin community of Janesville....	WI	4 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
	Millennium Trail (IL) The Millennium Trail spans just over 30 miles in two disconnected segments. The trail goes through forest, farmland, and the suburban neighborhoods of Lake County with a range of surfaces, including...	IL	30.7 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone	20 reviews
	Moraine Hills State Park Trail Moraine Hills State Park Trail offers a wonderful experience for any geology or nature aficionado. A moraine is an accumulation of earth and stones carried and finally deposited by a glacier....	IL	11.4 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	9 reviews
	Prairie Trail (IL) The Prairie Trail runs the length of McHenry County and is managed by the McHenry County Conservation District. The rail trail spans just over 26 miles from the Wisconsin border and the farms and...	IL	26.4 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel	41 reviews
	Puri Path The Puri Path is a paved route in Rock Cut State Park, a beautiful outdoor destination of more than 3,000 acres for the city of Rockford. The path runs through the heavily wooded northeast corner of...	IL	4 mi	Asphalt	2 reviews
	Rock River Parkway Trail The Rock River Parkway Trail in Janesville runs between Rockport Park and S. Jackson Street bridge on the north side of the river. Here, at the trail's eastern terminus, you can easily link to Spring...	WI	2.4 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	1 reviews
	Rock River Recreation Path The paved Rock River Recreation Trail winds throughout downtown Rockford and environs, following the east bank of the Rock River through Shorewood Park and Martin Memorial Park. Officially, the trail...	IL	10 mi	Asphalt	14 reviews
	White River State Trail The White River State Trail is a 19.7-mile trail composed of two separate segments: a 12-mile stretch that runs between Elkhorn and just west of Burlington in Walworth County, and a 7-mile section...	WI	19.7 mi	Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel	38 reviews
	Hennepin Canal State Trail The Hennepin Canal State Trail stretches for 93 miles in northwest Illinois along an old canal towpath. The trail is administered as a State Park by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and...	IL	93 mi	Asphalt, Grass, Gravel	72 reviews
	River Bend Trail (Silver Glen Trail) The 4.4-mile River Bend Trail is so named for the loop of Fox River along which it follows on its eastern end. It's here that you can connect to the scenic Fox River Trail to travel 43 miles along the...	IL	4.4 mi	Asphalt	3 reviews
	Dorr Road Bike Path The Dorr Road Bike Path begins at South Beloit Municipal Park and parallels the roadway for its entire length. The views are primarily residential. After about three-quarters of a mile (from the...	IL	2.7 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
	Oregon Park East Bike Path Oregon Park East Bike Path is nestled along the east bank of the Rock River in the small town of Oregon in northern Illinois. The 23-acre park offers athletic facilities, restrooms, grills, and picnic...	IL	0.25 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
	Riverside Corridor Bike-Walking Trail The southern Wisconsin City of Beloit, located near the Illinois border, boasts over 9 miles of multiuse trail along the Rock River. The river is the centerpiece of downtown, and a system of...	WI	9.2 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	0 reviews
	Sterling Multi-Activity Recreational Trail (SMART Pathway) The Sterling Multi-Activity Recreational Trail starts at one end at the edge of the Hoover Park parking lot and heads into a scenic wooded trail crossing a wooden bridge over Woodlawn Creek and...	IL	2 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews

Accordion

Recent Trail Reviews

Lake Geneva Bike Path

Agree with other Reviews

July, 2026 by jboepple

Poorly marked. Several sections are in need of repair. Several unexpected "end of trail" dead ends. Very disappointed. Wish a safe route was created to hook up with the White River State Trail, which is only a few miles away, but to access it you need to traverse country roads posted at 55 MPH and with little to no shoulder.

Sugar River State Trail

Good easy trail. Started in New Glarus and went foe about 2 miles.

June, 2026 by gann_chasity

Good easy trail. Started in New Glarus and went foe about 2 miles.

Hennepin Canal State Trail

Sterling to Tampico ride

June, 2026 by ericevan

Hennepin segment in this review: Sterling to Tampico
Bike: Specialized Sirus hybrid
Type of biker: casual, but I bike daily and can handle 25-35 mile rides
Weather: sunny, warm, upper 70's and dry.
Trail conditions: dry
Bike recommendation: no street bikes. Perfect for hybrid and mountain.
Other recommendations: sun protection, excess water, small protein bar or similar, phone, sunglasses, small towelette for sweat.

I started this trail at its entrance on the Sterling side of the Rock River.
Crossing the Rock was a nice starter. On the western dam side, a group of pelicans and their babies swam in the water. Can't say I've ever seen pelicans in Illinois before.
Once you reach the Rock Falls side the trail adjoins the Hennepin canal for the rest of the ride. In warm weather you're likely to see a lot of people fishing all the way down to the I88 underpass.
Heading south of I88 you aren't likely to see anyone. The trail is in decent shape being earthen based and I didn't see much more than small twigs on my ride south. There's easily a good 7-8 miles where you don't see much of anything manmade with the exception of crossing a road.
If you're a bird lover, this area will highly appeal. During my 25-mile journey I must have seen at least 50-75 orioles, a variety of blue colored birds, cardinals, several colors of finch, and a bird that has white tipped feathers that I've never seen before. I'm not a birder but they are beautiful to watch. The canal itself is clean with occasional turtles perched on logs.
There was only one spot on my segment with bathrooms, and that was closer to Tampico. The rest of the trail is devoid of bathrooms, benches and other amenities.

Some additional observations regarding this part of the trail:

Google maps indicate that a sunflower field is near the intersection of the trail and Star Road. There isn't. The area is entirely corn fields.

For rides longer than 5-10 miles, make sure to bring your own hydration and food. I bike daily and can handle long rides. But back here it gets rather warm. Water consumption for me was a little bit greater, and I even found a need to eat a protein bar to steady my energy level.

Importantly; a 25-mile ride back here will feel like well over 35. While the trail is in good shape, you do make a lot of dodges to avoid branches, twigs, holes, hanging bushes and other deterrents. The earthen path also slows your speed.

I didn't quite make it to downtown Tampico as I had original set out to do. My halfway point became Fargo Rd, at which point, I could see the little city of Tampico from a distance.

This leg of the trail completed my third on the Hennepin Canal Trail. It's a very peaceful trail with a lot of upside.
Cheers.

Accordion

Glacial River Trail

a lot of road riding

June, 2026 by 47gkpg2wy5

We took this trail from the Wild Goose trail but had no idea we would be on so many roads. As you got closer to Watertown, you are also on the road. We personally try to avoid roads as much as possible so we didn’t like this part. We only went to Watertown from the North so I am not sure what the rest of the trail is like. The actual bike paths are great.

White River State Trail

Update!

June, 2026 by b7ggzfh8h9

As of June 15th, the trail is now open between Burlington and Lyon.

Millennium Trail (IL)

Review of Northern Section

June, 2026 by tandemlovers

We rode the entire northern section this spring. 10 miles one way. Best place to park if you want to start in Round Lake Beach is the Round Lake Beach Elementary School parking lot. It's about a block and a half off the trail near the west terminus.
Most of the trail is well manicured fine limestone. Very good condition throughout. Scenery is excellent.
The signage is ok. Some intersections are well marked and others not marked at all.
There are several spur loops and many neighborhood access spurs. Use a map, these can get very confusing.
It loses a star for the signage and some rather intimidating grade crossings near the west end.

White River State Trail

Between Spring Valley road trailhead and Lyon the trail was closed due to 2 bridges being washed out

May, 2026 by fredklausegger

Between Spring Valley road trailhead and Lyon the trail was closed due to 2 bridges being washed out

Lynn Boulevard/Westwood Trail

Nice trail in the park

May, 2026 by mjvolk95

I haven’t done the complete trail, only the part in the park near the rec-center. The portion in the park is paved, asphalt, and is mostly wooded. Plenty of turns and short climbs/decent. Visibility isn’t great due to trees and turns so not a top speed location. I did 2 laps in the park with my special needs son using his adaptive bike. Several other trail users were walking. There is a portion of this trail that runs along Lynne Blvd. That part is essentially a sidewalk or off-street path. We did not go on that portion.

Moraine Hills State Park Trail

My wife and I just purchased two e-Bikes and decided to use this place for our maiden voyage. This was also our first time at this state park. We really enjoyed the tails and the nature. We will be returning with cameras and fishing poles.

May, 2026 by garyboutte

My wife and I just purchased two e-Bikes and decided to use this place for our maiden voyage. This was also our first time at this state park. We really enjoyed the tails and the nature. We will be returning with cameras and fishing poles.

H.U.M. Trail

My honey had not.rode a bike in many years and didn't want to ride around a lot of people. So when we found this trail it became a favorite, very few people, flat, nice flowers and views. The parking is really easy at both ends.

April, 2026 by dambrisco

My honey had not.rode a bike in many years and didn't want to ride around a lot of people. So when we found this trail it became a favorite, very few people, flat, nice flowers and views. The parking is really easy at both ends.