Where to put in near Evanston
You can put in at the beach next to Wilmette Harbor. Just north of the harbor/dog-run is a sandy beach open to everyone--but you can't park at the beach without a Wilmette sticker. However, you can drive down to the beach area, leave your kayak and equipment, and park just west of the park/baseball field open to the general public...and then walk a block to your kayak. You don't need anything more than your state fishing license to paddle into the harbor, or catch fish off the rocks outside the harbor. Just watch the weather, because Lake Michigan is not forgiving. I caught some nice perch this way last year.