Monee Reservoir Visitor Center
Location
Monee Reservoir is located on Ridgeland Avenue, south of Pauling Road, in Monee Township.
Hours
Visitor center
Open Tuesday-Sunday during the following months:
March and October: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
April and September: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
May-August: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Closed November-February.
Preserve
April-October: 6 a.m.-sunset; November-March: 8 a.m.-sunset
Trails
Monee Reservoir Nature Trail
Phone
815-722-9303
Monee Reservoir Visitor Center offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities centered around the preserve’s 46-acre lake and surrounding natural areas.
This visitor center serves as a hub for fishing, boating, paddling and seasonal outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy scenic views, explore the lake by watercraft and participate in programs throughout the year.
The visitor center offers public programs, youth group activities, equipment rentals, concessions, facility rentals, an annual fishing contest and free District publications and trail maps. The facility is accessible, dog friendly and open to the public free of charge.
Explore the visitor center
Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational amenities and services, including:
- Boat, canoe, kayak and pedal boat rentals
- Free fishing pole checkout
- Bait, tackle and concession sales
- Picnic shelter and gathering space rentals
Licenses and permits
The following licenses and permits are available for purchase at the visitor center:
- Fishing licenses
- Picnic permits for on-site shelters and picnic grove
Rentals
Boat and equipment rentals are available seasonally and include:
- Pedal boats (May 1-Sept.30) — $15/hour; maximum capacity of four people or 955 pounds; fishing is not permitted from pedal boats
- Rowboats (April 1-Oct.31) — $15/hour, $35/half-day, $45/day; maximum capacity of four people; only electric trolling motors are allowed, and boats must leave the dock while fishing
- Canoes and kayaks (May 1-Sept.30) — $15/hour, $35/half-day; canoes hold up to three people and kayaks are available in single and tandem options
- Anchors — $1/day
- Trolling motors — $15/hour, $35/half-day, $45/day
- Trolling motor batteries — $10/hour
Life vests, paddles and other required equipment are included with watercraft rentals. Renters must be at least 18 years old and provide a valid driver’s license or state ID. A refundable $20 cash deposit is required for all boat rentals.
All persons in a rented canoe or kayak must wear a personal flotation device at Monee Reservoir and at District-sponsored programs. All Illinois Department of Natural Resources boating regulations are enforced.
Personal boats
Personal canoes and kayaks may also be launched at the reservoir, as well as small fishing boats. Only boats that can be transported in or on top of a vehicle and carried or rolled by hand cart to the lake are permitted. There is no boat trailer parking or boat launch at the preserve. No fee is charged for using your own small boat. All Illinois Department of Natural Resources boating regulations are enforced.
Flag system
A wind speed flag system at Monee Reservoir helps notify visitors of boating conditions on the lake:
- Green flag: All boating permitted
- Yellow flag: Rowboats only
- Red flag: No boating allowed
Current conditions at Monee Reservoir can be checked on Weather Underground by searching for "Monee Station."
Fishing
Monee Reservoir is a popular destination for anglers of all skill levels. Visitors can purchase one-day or annual Illinois fishing licenses, rent equipment or check out fishing poles free of charge. A fishing license is required for anyone at least 16 years of age who fishes a public Illinois waterway and may be purchased at Monee Reservoir.
Fishing license fees include:
- Illinois resident — $5.50/day or $15/year
- Non-resident — $10.50/day or $31.50/year
- Illinois senior resident (65+) — $5.50/day or $7.75/year
- Illinois senior resident (75+) — $1.50/year
The following bait and tackle are some popular items also available for purchase:
Group outings
While groups of 25 or more are welcome to visit the preserve and visitor center, a special use permit is required in advance to help avoid scheduling conflicts and overcrowding. Call 708-534-8499 for more information.
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Upcoming events
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'Reel' Late Fishing
We're keeping Monee Reservoir open late, so join us for the ultimate late-night catch for anglers who like their lines tight and their laughs loose.
Volunteer Morning: Monee Reservoir
Get some fresh air and exercise while helping to make a difference in your community by attending one or more of the Forest Preserve’s volunteer mornings.
Teen Bat Crawl
Teens can join a naturalist and a trained bat monitor for an evening hike in search of bats, then gather around the fire for a bat chat and s’mores!
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Frequently asked questions
Monee Reservoir offers rowboats, pedal boats, canoes and kayaks for rent. Rowboats are $15 per hour, $35 for a half day and $45 for the day. Pedal boats are $15 per hour. Canoes and kayaks are $15 per hour to rent or $35 for a half day.
Monee Reservoir allows personal small fishing boats on the lake, but only boats that can be transported in or on top of a vehicle and carried or rolled by hand cart to the lake are permitted. There is no boat trailer parking or boat launch at the preserve. No fee is charged for using your own small boat.
Swimming is prohibited in any waters the Forest Preserve District owns and manages.
Yes, leashed dogs are allowed at the preserve but they must stay on the trails. Dogs are also welcome in the nature center. Cleaning up dog waste is required by Forest Preserve ordinance.
The Forest Preserve does host boating safety and first-time fishing classes from time to time. Please see a staff person for information.
The Monee Reservoir concessions offers fishing poles that can be checked out for free and fishing licenses for purchase. The visitor center also offers bait, tackle and snacks for sale.
At Monee Reservoir, dogs are allowed in boats only, as long as a total weight limit of 700 pounds is not exceeded, which includes all passengers (4 people total) and gear. Dogs are not allowed in canoes or kayaks at Monee Reservoir. This applies to both rented watercraft and personal watercraft.
No, hunting licenses and deer stamps are not for sale at Monee Reservoir.