I recently came across a great source for Wisconsin river Trips:
http://www.wisconsinrivertrips.com/

It features in depth journals, pictures of key points, and maps. Important information like dams and docks are also listed on a by river basis. Essentially, it's Illinois paddle, but for Wisconsin. It is definitely worth checking out!

I took time this weekend and added the Wisconsin river to the database. Included are charts for two trips, one west of lake Wisconsin, the other running through the dells.

Check them out here

Lots of new rivers are added to the database!

Iroquois River: a smaller river that feeds into the kankakee

Des Plaines River: one of the larger rivers in Illinois

Mazon River: a small tributatry to the Illinois river

Happy Paddling!

New rivers added:

Pecatonica River: a small tributary to the Rock river in the Freeport area of northwestern Illinois

Kishwaukee River: another tributary to the Rock River, this one has two branches, joining together as one.

Rock River: A large river starting in Wisconsin, ranging hundreds of miles to the Mississippi

Wisconsin rivers: IL Fox and Sheboygan for now! More to come soon

Canoeing / Kayaking Opportunities  
According to Illinois's Department of Natural Resources.
It's worth a read, but hilariously omits both the Fox and Illinois rivers.

Northwest Illinois (Region 1)

• Castle Rock - Boat Ramp for public access to the Rock River for Canoe or Kayak, 3 miles of State Owned trails. Primitive canoe-in campground is available. Canoe access area is also available in the town of Grand De Tour about 5 miles south of the park. A trip to Lowell Park (Dixon Park District) or Dixon Dam is approximately a 12 mile canoe trip from Castle Rock State Park. There are Day Use facilities at Lowell Park.
• Mackinaw - Boat Ramp for public access to the Mackinaw River for Canoe or Kayak with 2 miles of State Owned trails.
• Lowden Boat Ramp for public access to the Rock River for Canoe or Kayak, 20 miles of State Owned trails. It is recommended that you put in below the dam.
• Hennepin Canal - Canoeing and Kayaking is available for 78 miles of the canal. The waters are calm so back and arm power are required. The many locks are no longer operational and must be portaged (from Lock 21 east is particularly tough). For a great 1-2 day trip, begin at Rock Falls and continue to the Visitor Center.
• Rock Cut - Canoeing and Kayaking is available on Pierce Lake. Rentals available.

Northeast Illinois (Region 2)

• Channahon - Canoeists can paddle 15 miles of the canal between Channahon and Morris. The beautiful scenery between these two points may only be outshadowed by the abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Kankakee River Canoes or Kayaks are allowed on 25 miles of the Kankakee River. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, and you must wear a life jacket .
• Silver Springs - Kayaks and canoes are allowed at Silver Springs on Loon Lake or on the Fox River. No restrictions.
  

East - Central (Region 3)

• Kickapoo - Canoeing or Kayaking is available on 12 different lakes.
• Middle Fork - Public parking and canoe or kayak access to the Middle Fork River is provided at two locations. The Kinney's Ford access is located in the northern section of the facility and may be reached by driving one-half mile west of the 2620N/900E intersection. The Bunker Hill canoe access may be reached by driving east on the facility's south access road located at 2250N/900E. The west entrance bridge at Kickapoo State Park provides a canoe take-out point for these access areas. Camping is prohibited along the river, except in designated campgrounds. 
  
• Fox Ridge - There are two canoe or kayak launches, one north and one south provides a five mile trip on the Embarras River.

West - Central (Region 4)

• Peabody River King - Boat Ramp for public access to the Kaskaskia River for canoes or kayaks.
• Kaskaskia River - Boat Ramps for public access to Kaskaskia River for canoes or kayaks. Canoers should also be aware of barge traffic on the river and at lock and dam site at the mouth of the river.
• Sanganois - Boat Ramps are available for public access for canoeing or kayaking. No canoeing from one week prior to waterfowl season until February 1st.
  

South (Region 5)

• Cache River - The Lower Cache River Trail offers paddlers a quality canoe or kayak experience, 3 to 6 miles in length, through magnificent cypress-tupelo swamp.

I'd like to highlight the TRIPS tab, as it contains a ton of information pertaining to taking a trip on each listed river.

Right now, I have full loads of information posted for the Fox river, Illinois river (through Starved Rock area), Dupage river, and Kankakee river. At some point, I'll finish off the Des Plaines river and Rock river.

Available information includes:
-Maps: google maps,  images. and downloadable KML files
-Distance charts: tables that allow you to calculate the distance of a trip using major points of interest
-Depth and flow charts: to tell how the water levels are trending
-General info: Basics to give you an idea of each river
-Dams and portaging information: info to know what is coming and what to do on the river!

Enjoy!

After yet another miserable winter, 50 degree weather heads Illinois's way. That means CAMPING TIME!
My first trip of the season will be to "James Island" AKA a small island in the middle of the Fox river with nearby parking. It's also got a nice clearing, perfect for a night out. Even better, it's only 15 minutes away from my home. It's a nice solitude away from civilization, besides the nearby water plant blasting it's horn every few hours.

In any case, I plan to be updating this site all season long with pictures and information. I'd like to add on a few more trips too, but mainly for bodies of water close by me. I'll be updating this blog with regular camping information and tips, so please check back.

For now, I'd like to alert you to the RESOURCES page. On it I have links of my favorite mapping, review and information sites. This resources can provide maps, portage descriptions, points of interest, and even water levels. Be sure to check it out!