Fishing near Rockford, IL
Set in Winnebago County in northwestern Illinois, Rockford sits on the Rock River, which winds 155 miles and supports a basin fishery of more than 80 species. The in-town Fordham Dam tailwater draws walleye, sauger, and white bass, while nearby tributaries — the Pecatonica and the Class A Kishwaukee River — add smallmouth, catfish, and pike water.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are in Rockford, Illinois and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Black Buffalo
Ictiobus niger
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Bowfin
Amia calva
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum
Grass Pickerel
Esox americanus vermiculatus
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Fishing guides near Rockford
Book a trip with a local fishing guide through Guidesly.
James Cooper
Halligan Outdoors Guide Service
5.0 (2 reviews)
Southern Wisconsin fishing adventures
Book on Guidesly, opens in new tab
Steve McClone
Moonpie Outdoors LLC
5.0 (1 review)
Experience The Top East Dundee Fishing Charters
Book on Guidesly, opens in new tab
Andrew Motz
Motz Outdoor Adventures
5.0 (1 review)
Guided Fishing Trips in Madison WI!
Book on Guidesly, opens in new tab
Dale Helgeson
The Outdoor Experience Guide Service
4.0 (1 review)
Guided Walleye Fishing in Southeast Wisconsin
Book on Guidesly, opens in new tab
Erik Lennartz
Tactical Angling
Embark on Wisconsin Fishing Charters Today!
Book on Guidesly, opens in new tab
Dave Duwe
Dave Duwe's Guide Service
Lake Geneva & Delavan Fishing Charter in Wisconsin
Book on Guidesly, opens in new tab
Fish smarter with real-time insights
Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.
Illinois licenses and regulations
Explore Rockford
Top fishing waters
Loading top waters...
Popular Cities
Loading popular cities...
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.