Vermilion River
Vermilion River
- Boat Ramps
- 6
- Access Points
- 7
- Species
- 40
The Vermilion River in LaSalle and Livingston Counties flows westward for approximately 106 miles before joining the Illinois River. This tributary distinguishes itself as one of Illinois' premier waterways for diverse fishing opportunities, featuring scenic canyon areas and some of the richest fish fauna of any river in the state. The river's varied habitat supports an exceptional array of species, with surveys documenting 97 fish species throughout the system. The lower portion near Oglesby provides the only whitewater fishing experience in northern Illinois, with the river looping dramatically through the landscape, creating unique canyon sections that attract anglers seeking smallmouth bass and other gamefish in a scenic setting.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Vermilion River 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
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Black Buffalo
Ictiobus niger
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Black Redhorse
Moxostoma duquesnei
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum
Grass Carp
Grass Pickerel
Esox americanus
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Highfin Carpsucker
Carpiodes velifer
Longear Sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Northern Hogsucker
Hypentelium nigricans
Orangespotted Sunfish
Lepomis humilis
Quillback Carpsucker
Carpiodes cyprinus
River Carpsucker
Carpiodes carpio
River Redhorse
Moxostoma carinatum
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Sauger
Sander canadensis
Shorthead Redhorse Sucker
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Shortnose Gar
Lepisosteus platostomus
Silver Carp
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Silver Redhorse
Moxostoma anisurum
Skipjack Herring
Alosa chrysochloris
Smallmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus bubalus
Spotted Bass
Micropterus punctulatus
White Bass
Morone chrysops
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Yellow Bass
Morone mississippiensis
Yellow Bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Vermilion River. 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.
Know where you can legally fish on Vermilion River
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.
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.
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.
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.
Take Vermilion River 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 Vermilion River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Vermilion River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Get the onWater Fish app
Free on iOS and Android
Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Vermilion River and check the forecast before you go.
VERMILION RIVER AT HWY 6 NEAR MCDOWELL, IL
All Flow Stations
Vermilion River fishing guides
Book a trip with a local fishing guide through Guidesly.
Fishing near Vermilion River
Sangamon River
Lake Clinton
Illinois River
Salt Creek
Evergreen Lake
Lake Bloomington
Dawson Lake
Upper Peoria Lake
Lake Decatur
Explore Illinois waters
Top fishing waters
Popular Cities
Loading popular cities...
Explore near Vermilion River
Fish species
Fishing spots
Nearby waters
More in Illinois
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.