Best fishing spots in Illinois

Need an escape from city life or want to spend more time outdoors? Get in touch with nature this summer and spend a calm and relaxing day at one of the hundreds of fishing spots Illinois has to offer. Loved by local anglers and visitors from across the state, the following fishing spots offer beautiful scenery, additional outdoor activities and best of all – a great catch!

Northern Illinois – Shabbona Lake

Located in DeKalb County, Shabbona Lake is a 318.8-acre fishing lake within Shabbona Lake State Park. Dubbed as the “muskie capital of Illinois,” the lake is has produced six state record fish including four muskies. The lake is stocked with large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, black and white crappie, black and brown bullhead, channel catfish, walleye, muskie and perch.

Boat rentals and bait and tackle supplies are available on site at the park. Spend a full day at the park enjoying additional facilities for picnicking and hiking. For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

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Discover stargazing at Illinois’ Middle Fork River Forest Preserve

Illinois is home to many incredible natural beauty landmarks, and one of its most captivating destinations is the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, Illinois’ first and only International Dark Sky Park. Located in Champaign County, this preserve offers visitors a remarkable opportunity to experience stargazing in a truly dark environment, designated officially by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2018.

By day, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve delights visitors with its picturesque landscape featuring restored prairies, mature oak forests, river-bottom woodlands, and thriving wetlands. However, the genuine enchantment begins after sunset, when visitors are treated to spectacular views of star-filled skies. This park features exceptionally minimal light pollution, making it one of Illinois’ top destinations for astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers alike.

To enhance the nighttime experience, the preserve offers a dedicated Dark Sky Trail equipped with designated hammock stations and special stargazing areas, providing an ideal setting for observing constellations and the Milky Way. The preserve’s solar-powered observatory, complete with a retractable roof, allows visitors to set up their own telescopes or gaze at the stars with the naked eye.

Visitors planning an overnight stay can take advantage of Harry L. Swartz Campground in the park with dark-sky-friendly lighting, providing the perfect setting to sleep beneath a canopy of stars. To make the most of this incredible experience, visitors are encouraged to come during the new moon phase or twilight hours, bringing red-filtered flashlights and binoculars or telescopes. However, even without special equipment, the views are breathtaking. The preserve also offers a host of other activities outside of stargazing, including swimming and fishing. In the winter, they provide the option to participate in cross-country skiing.

The Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is more than just an astronomy hotspot — it also serves as an essential educational resource. Local staff and volunteers regularly engage with visitors, educating them on the significance of preserving dark skies for both wildlife and human well-being. For those looking to connect with nature in a uniquely immersive way, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is undoubtedly an Illinois treasure.

Celebrating Illinois’ Most Unique Ice Cream Flavors

As summer is officially in full swing, a favorite past time of many is grabbing an ice cream cone from their local ice cream store. Illinois, however, has a few unique flavors of its own! As a culinary leader, over the last few decades numerous types of ice cream flavors have been concocted right here in this state that you most likely will not find anywhere else. To celebrate National Ice Cream month this July, we are kicking off our own “most unique flavors” list.

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Celebrate Independence Day: Spots for July 4th Fireworks in Illinois

Illinois lights up the night sky in July with unforgettable fireworks displays and daylong festivities. One of the state’s largest events takes place in Peoria, where the beloved Red, White, and Boom! celebration attracts around 200,000 people along the riverfront. Thousands gather to enjoy live music, food vendors, family fun, and spectacular fireworks launched from barges on the Illinois River—making it one of the top shows in the nation.

For city residents and tourists alike, Navy Pier in Chicago offers a stellar fireworks experience. Though the pier won’t be hosting a firework display on July 4 this year, its summer schedule includes a dazzling fireworks show every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m., including an exceptional performance on July 5. The pier’s backdrop of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago makes it a stunning place to catch an evening of sparkle.

In the northern suburbs, the Mundelein Community Days Festival takes place from July 3-6 and features a whole weekend of celebrations. Alongside a car show, pet parade, face painting, carnival attractions, and live music, the festival features dusk fireworks over the lake, bringing out families and friends for a festive experience.

Planning to attend a small-town celebration? The town of Sandwich is hosting Freedom Days on July 5 in their park district, offering an opportunity to get out and enjoy the sun. After a morning parade at the fairgrounds, live music, food trucks and games keeping families entertained throughout the day, culminating in a bright and cheerful fireworks display.

Near Springfield, the Chatham Rock the Dock event on Lake Springfield presents one of Central Illinois’s finest fireworks displays on July 4. It’s a perfect choice for a more relaxed evening by the lake, with music, boat watching, and a glowing sky to enjoy.

From riverfront spectacles and lakeside charm to bustling pier shows and small-town parades, Illinois delivers fireworks and festivities that capture the spirit of Independence Day. Wherever you are, arrive early, grab a good seat, enjoy the concert or carnival, and prepare for a truly memorable night under the stars.