Camping suggestions needed - Updated w/pics

[Taterman]

Me and my wife are planning to take our niece and nephew (ages 10 and 13) for their first camping trip this June.
The two of us camped at Rock Cut State Park last year and had fun but we didn't get to check out the dock or fishing areas near it.
I checked online and there are spots available close to the dock in June, but having good fishing within walking distance is KEY and I'm not sure about the fishing access there.
Some trees and a little privacy would be a big plus too, but I really want them to be able to catch something besides bluegill.
We live in Algonquin and I was wondering if anyone had a suggested area within an hour or so.
The kids will be cramped up in the tiny extended cab part of my Ford Ranger which is why we can't go to far.

[ed3145]

johnson -sauk state park is nice and clean. there is a playground ,walking trails,and fishing , also a restaurant, and camp store. everything is right there.you can also rent row boats or paddle boats.the people are so nice.it is close to kewanee,il. a great place for family fun.

[Taterman]

Thanks Ed, but that is about 2 1/2 hours away for us.
The place sounds perfect, but it's further then we were looking to go.

[Thegeneral1777]

Shabbona has a good campground and is close to water. Pretty good fishing in June also. Boats etc. Should be in hour. Also Chain o lakes state park. But I don't know much about it
Hope ya find a good one.

[Taterman]

Originally Posted by Thegeneral1777

Shabbona has a good campground and is close to water. Pretty good fishing in June also. Boats etc. Should be in hour. Also Chain o lakes state park. But I don't know much about it
Hope ya find a good one.

Shabbona sounds great and I've always wanted to fish there.
Would you happen to know if there is shore fishing walking distance from the camping area?

[Thegeneral1777]

Here are a couple of links for you. I am pretty sure you can fish right there but not positive you can call (815) 824-2581 or look up the other # on one of these websites
http://camping.about.com/od/campgroundr ... pcg120.htm
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PA ... ABBONA.HTM

[Taterman]

Originally Posted by Thegeneral1777

Here are a couple of links for you. I am pretty sure you can fish right there but not positive you can call (815) 824-2581 or look up the other # on one of these websites
http://camping.about.com/od/campgroundr ... pcg120.htm
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PA ... ABBONA.HTM

Very cool, thank you sir.
I will definitely give them a call.
If there's decent shore fishing anywhere near the camping area, I think we will try there instead of Rock Cut again.
I never knew they had camping near that lake.

[labman]

There is plenty of shore fishing near camp at Shabby. You might consider getting a lake map from the bait shop. Shabby has many many cribs, rock piles and brush piles. And most are within casting distance from shore.

Another option is Comlara park in Mclean county. The lake there is called Evergreen lake. You can rent boats there too. They also have a swim beach and many trails for hiking and biking.

http://www.mcleancountyil.gov/parks/

[Taterman]

Great! Thanks Labman.
My wife did call the Shabby office but didn't get much solid info from them about shore fishing. Your post helps a lot.
I'll check out Comlara right now. Thanks again.

[BTMBASS]

Shabbona does have shore fishing. I went camping there about two years ago in late june. The shore fishing is walking distance and has a fairly large stretch of shoreline to fish from.