Suggested canoe route - avoiding dam portages?

deaddog · Jul 8, 2020

Guys, I'm thinking of trying to canoe the Fox as it seems perfectly setup for my "biathlon" -- I drop the canoe at a launch, drive downstream to the takeout, leave the car and bike back to the canoe. Worked well this week on Salt Creek (despite really low water levels).

But, on to my question. It looks like there are many dams on the Fox and I don't want to have to do any tough portages (up stairs, long, tough in and out with 2-3 foot walls to jump down into canoe). For pleasure canoeing (no fishing first time), what is the best and longest stretch you guys recommend? I'm looking for easy launch and takeout, easy access to the bike trail, good scenery, and would prefer to keep it somewhere between Elgin and Oswego.

Just looking at the map, I'm thinking blackhawk forest preserve down to boy scout island. But I'd like a longer stretch. Suggestions?

Thanks

Ksum · Jul 8, 2020

Deaddog..

You could put in at Seba park that is in South Elgin a little further north than Blackhawk till St. Charles. Otherwise from Oswego down or I had in the past had the canoe livery drive me up and left my car with them,(sorry name escapes me) and float down nice scenery down that way at places. I am sure others might have some answers for you.

Rambler · Jul 9, 2020

Best undamed stretch of the Fox is from Sheridan down to Wedron. Instead of doing your bike thing check out the shuttle service offered by Ayers Landing - http://www.ayerslandingcanoerental.com. They'll set you up with either a 4 or 6 hour trip. Very scenic. Crowded on weekends.

Below the Rte 52 bridge is a rest area. Be sure to take around $5 in singles if you want to stop there.

No portages so take fishing gear - cats, smallies, muskies, etc.

deaddog · Jul 11, 2020

thanks guys. Although the Wedron route looks fantastic, I'm going to stick to my bike plan for now - still trying to social distance so not a fan of riding in vehicles with other people if I can avoid it.

Ksum - is there an actual launch at Seba park? Or is it just find an area to drop in?

Also, anybody ever portage at St Charles dam? How about Batavia dam - which appears to have a well designed and relatively easy looking portage. But I don't see an obvious takeout before the North Aurora dam.

Thanks again.

Rambler · Jul 11, 2020

Oh yeah - sorta forgot about the COVID thing.

I fished at Fabyan yesterday -easy takeout on the east side right off the bikepath.

Ksum · Jul 11, 2020

Dead dog,

Seba has rock outcroppings in places where you can easily get into the Kayak. There are also numerous clearings at the park where you can get in or out. There was a launch in Batavia but they blocked it off. All for the better ,it was at the head of a riffle and a big mud hole to the front on the launch. You basically stepped into the mud and then had to get out to get past the shallow riffle. Obviously not designed to be kayak friendly.lol Rambler if you dont mind me asking ,do you paddle upstream and float down or head south and paddle back? Lots more people out since the Covid demic, so access on the weekend may take some maneuvering.

deaddog · Jul 11, 2020

Thanks very much for the info. I'm thinking Seba down to Pottawatomie (or Boy Scout Park) depending on which is the easiest takeout. Pottawatomie is on the east side right on the bike path but looks like Boy Scout has a boat ramp. And, yes, I avoid weekends -

badger75 · Jul 12, 2020

Batavia dam is an easy portage - there is a walking path with grass alongside. I usually just drag mine in the grass as I do not (yet) have a cradle. Less than 100 yards.

North Aurora dam is also an easy portage. Stay on the west bank. There is a gravel landing area very close to the dam. Bike path is right there. Go down the path under the bridge, maybe 200 yards, easy relaunch just south of the bridge.

Geneva Dam - I use the east side. There is a ramp which joins the bike path. Go down about 200 yards just before the bridge, easy relaunch.

Sorry, I have not done the STC dam yet.

I have used the stretch from just below the Geneva dam to just above the North Aurora dam. In NA, you can park in the municipal building lot (east bank), 20 yards to take out from parking. Only one dam @ Batavia, at current July flows it will take a couple of hours if you fish.

Another nice run without dams is from below the Montgomery dam to SawWeeKee park (on East bank about a mile past Orchard Rd).

deaddog · Jul 13, 2020

Thanks badger - great info. But I'm starting to have second thoughts on the Fox. I didn't appreciate that I'd be sharing it it with waterskiers and other power boats. Perhaps not as peaceful as I envisioned.

Ksum · Jul 13, 2020

Dead Dog.. The run own down from Momtgomery to Saweekee Park is some good water to fish..pretty shallow so no powerboats at least from what I've seen. The best part of all this is learning the water.. 8) Thanks Badger The Fishin Musician is suffering from old timers .. I have forgotten much of what I knew..LOL The river has really surprised me on how it's changed in the last ten years. There are still great fish to catch. I fished a 56 acre strip mine today and the water was 85.3 degrees. The largemouth didn't want to jump and all my best fish came out of 18 feet of water. caught a couple of 9 inch bluegill ..they actually pulled the yak. Good luck.

Rambler · Jul 13, 2020

deaddog said:
Perhaps not as peaceful as I envisioned.

If you want peace on the Fox, again I recommend below Sheridan. I've only seen guys in ratty old boats with small outboards down there - and not many of them.

Maybe you could contact Ayers & see what they're doing about COVID.

Rambler · Jul 14, 2020

Ksum said:
Rambler if you dont mind me asking ,do you paddle upstream and float down or head south and paddle back? Lots more people out since the Covid demic, so access on the weekend may take some maneuvering.

Why would I mind? I don't do a lot of river paddling these days but back when I did I always preferred one-way trips. This obviously required 2 cars although way back in the 60s my best friend's mom would drop us off up north of Libertyville, we'd paddle down the DPR & she'd pick us up at Trailside. She was a real gem.

I have done some solo river trips & prefer to paddle upstream 1st & then drift back while fishing. Doesn't work the other way since you're more tired & paddling upstream at the end of the day can be taxing.

One last thing - I know a circular trip that you can do solo & not go over the same water. If you want details PM me.

deaddog · Jul 18, 2020

I went out on Monday and it was pretty decent canoeing in great weather. The Seba Park input was super easy. There was almost zero current - the slowest I've seen, much slower than DPR or Salt Creek. It was pretty pleasant until I approached St Charles and got bombarded with waterskiers and jet skis. They weren't doing anything wrong - just makes for a different experience. Took out at Boy Scout Park, also super easy. And, the bike part worked out perfectly - almost no street riding, clear trail from point to point.

thanks again for all the good advice.

Ksum · Jul 19, 2020

Deaddog..Glad Seba worked out for you. When the water is down, there will be some shallow water to avoid. St.Charles has been a zoo since everyone is staying around and hunkered down a bit. I have see the lot FULL this year which in the past was not the case. Rambler is right, Ayers was whom I was thinking of for shuttling, and that Sheridan Wedron area is pretty and less populated. Did you fish at all? Water temps are mid 80's where I have been. I've taken baths and showers colder then that. Have stopped fishing for awhile the heat can't possibly be good on a hooked fish.

Suggested canoe route - avoiding dam portages?

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