Updated
Fox River Shores Forest Preserve
Nature preserve · Carpentersville, Illinois
Live flow only — judge the water in person
Use cautionLive flow only — judge the water in person: live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby.
- Streamflow 625 ft³/s
- Gage height 5.29 ft
Live, provisional data from USGS gauge FOX RIVER (TAILWATER) AT ALGONQUIN, IL (2.7 mi away), as of Oct 29, 3:30 AM gauge-local time.
Why, sources & official advisories
- Live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby. — USGS gauge 05550001, as of Oct 29, 3:30 AM gauge-local time
- Flow is within the normal range (25th–75th percentile) for Oct 29 (median 782 ft³/s over 17 years). — USGS daily streamflow statistics, as of Oct 29, 3:30 AM gauge-local time
No official beach-advisory feed for Illinois yet — follow posted signs and local guidance.
Lush riverside nature preserve featuring a boat launch, bike trail & a picnic shelter.
What’s swimming here?
Fish recorded within 2 km: Blackstripe Topminnow, Bluegill, Creek Chub and 29 more species.
32 fish species in 49 public records within 2 km of Fox River Shores Forest Preserve since 2000.
- Blackstripe Topminnow Fundulus notatus3 records · 2020
- Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus3 records · 2000
- Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus2 records · 2020
- 2 records · 2019
- Logperch Percina caprodes2 records · 2010
- Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens2 records · 2000
- Quillback Carpiodes cyprinus2 records · 2000
- Spotfin Shiner Cyprinella spiloptera2 records · 2000
Show all 32 species
- Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus2 records · 2000
- Green Sunfish Lepomis cyanellus2 records · 2000
- Orangespotted Sunfish Lepomis humilis2 records · 2000
- Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu2 records · 2000
- Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides2 records · 2000
- Spottail Shiner Notropis hudsonius2 records · 2000
- Bluntnose Minnow Pimephales notatus2 records · 2000
- 1 record · 2020
- Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas1 record · 2020
- Pugnose Minnow Opsopoeodus emiliae1 record · 2016
- Black Bullhead Ameiurus melas1 record · 2000
- Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis1 record · 2000
- Central Stoneroller Campostoma anomalum1 record · 2000
- White Sucker Catostomus commersonii1 record · 2000
- Redfin Pickerel Esox americanus1 record · 2000
- Johnny Darter Etheostoma nigrum1 record · 2000
- Brook Silverside Labidesthes sicculus1 record · 2000
- Yellow Bass Morone mississippiensis1 record · 2000
- Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas1 record · 2000
- Emerald Shiner Notropis atherinoides1 record · 2000
- Tadpole Madtom Noturus gyrinus1 record · 2000
- Yellow Perch Perca flavescens1 record · 2000
- White Crappie Pomoxis annularis1 record · 2000
- 1 record · 2000
Non-native: the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database lists the species as introduced to the Upper Fox watershed.
Caught one? Make it a card.Snap your catch in Reelio and collect every species. Free on iPhone.Data: GBIF.org occurrence records, CC0 and CC BY only (iNaturalist research-grade observations, GBIF dataset). Common names: USGS NAS; GBIF.org (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Non-native flags: USGS NAS. These are sightings and specimens people reported, not a survey: a fish missing from the list may still live here.
Things to Do Near Fox River Shores Forest Preserve
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Fox River Shores Forest Preserve?
- Fox River Shores Forest Preserve is a nature preserve in Carpentersville, Illinois.
- Can you swim at Fox River Shores Forest Preserve?
- Live flow only — judge the water in person: live streamflow is available but no water-temperature sensor is nearby. Checked October 29, 2026.
- How is Fox River Shores Forest Preserve rated?
- Fox River Shores Forest Preserve in Carpentersville, Illinois has an average visitor rating of 4.6 out of 5, based on 653 reviews.
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Location & Contact
701 N Williams Rd, Carpentersville, IL 60110
Carpentersville, Illinois 60110
Phone
+1 630-232-5980Popular Times
💡 Best times & visiting tips
- ›Weekday mornings (8–10 AM) are typically less crowded
- ›Check the forecast 2–3 days ahead for best planning
- ›Avoid holiday weekends for a quieter experience
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