Calumet Sag Channel

Boat Ramps: 2
Access Points: 2
Species: 18

The Calumet Sag Channel (Cal-Sag Channel) is a significant navigation canal located in southern Cook County, Illinois. Approximately 16 miles long, it serves as a vital connection between the Little Calumet River and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Once heavily polluted from industry and other waste, the waterway has seen significant improvement in water quality over recent decades due to environmental cleanup efforts. Today, the Cal-Sag Channel offers diverse fishing opportunities with various species inhabiting its waters. The channel is maintained at a depth of about 20 feet and features a mix of industrial shorelines and more natural areas. While it remains a working waterway with regular barge traffic, the Cal-Sag has developed into a notable fishing destination for anglers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

Illinois licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Calumet Sag Channel and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Grass Pickerel

Esox americanus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Orangespotted Sunfish

Lepomis humilis

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

White Perch

Morone americana

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Bass

Morone mississippiensis

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Calumet Sag Channel. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Alsip Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Worth Boat Ramping Ramp

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on Calumet Sag Channel

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Illinois licenses and regulations

Illinois Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Illinois Fishing License

All individuals who are 16 and over are required to have a fishing license. All youth who are below 16 may fish without a license.

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Illinois Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Illinois Steam Access Laws

If the waterway is navigable in fact and the streambed is publicly owned, it is most likely fully accessible. If the streambed is privately owned, it is only accessible for navigation, not for hunting, fishing or portage.

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Take Calumet Sag Channel with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Calumet Sag Channel to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Calumet Sag Channel to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Calumet Sag Channel and check the forecast before you go.