Kishwaukee Canoe

05/25/2026

It has come to my attention that my text messages from two different phones were not working as designed. In other words, late messages by 24 hrs. I’ve got 2 in a row. Please call and leave a message. If I don’t answer, I will call back. Thank you for your support!!

05/22/2026

Are you sick and tiring of high gas prices???
Are you sick when you see that grocery bill??
I AM!! And I’m not raising my prices. AT ALL!!
Yes!! That’s right!! $60 for a canoe or tandem kayak or $40 for a single kayak. That INCLUDES the transport. Plan your trip AHEAD of any weekend and call. Yes. I answer back!! Leave a message. And I call back. Same day calls on weekends may not be answered. Reserve It!!
NOW IS THE TIME!! Make those reservations!!
Call during the week for those weekend trips!!
This is a 3-4 hour trip. Plan your coolers!
Trips are 9,10,11am and 12pm meetup times.
Saturday and Sunday only.
Summer is here. Don’t miss out!!

05/19/2026

Good times yesterday!!

05/10/2026

What a day. What a windy day. Yes, the Kishwaukee River is finally open at Baumann Park down to Atwood. Of course it was. But wait until you see what changed. No the river has not changed course. But the first leg to the Perryville bridges has more wood down than a wood chuck can chuck. Yes the downfall trees are blown into the forest. Yes. More wood on top of more wood at areas that were tricky before are more tricky. I may be exaggerating it was stunning to me. And there’s more wood. I’m beginning to sound like Oak Island that I found more wood. Final Analysis: It’s doable for sure but make sure your head is on a swivel. Great flow and current today with many fisherman reporting (and me seeing) one guy catch 2 1.5 ft* smallmouth bass. Caught and released. He caught near 15-20 total. From the bridges down to Atwood was a no brainer but the flood has exposed a lot!! And a lot of shoreline erosion.

05/06/2026

And don’t forget the weather shall be perfect AND the water level will be excellent.
At least that’s what I’ve been told.

✅ Water Level 💦
✅ After Party with food truck and live music 🎤🎸
✅ Weather ☀️
✅ Shuttles included 🚌
✅✅✅ A fun day with your friends on the river? CHECK CHECK CHECK

This is the last week to guarantee your race t-shirt will be waiting at the finish line for you!

✔️Register before 10pm on Sunday 5/10 to guarantee your shirt www.canoemarathon.com

05/01/2026

It’s starting to dry out!!! Wooohooo!!

04/29/2026

The Baumann Park launch is open. That’s what the DNR told me. They just got done cleaning up the sand dunes today. I get down there and the chain is still up. Hopefully the chains and the sign are gone and down tomorrow. But in general. YES. The river is open. Be aware of downfall and strainers. And wear your PFDs.

04/15/2026

Yes the Kishwaukee River basin has received plenty of rain over the last week and there is more to follow tonight. The launch at Baumann park has been closed for a week or so due to high water. This picture is looking upstream at Espenscheid FP during a dry spell last Thursday. The water was high then at 8ft. It’s way above that now and will possibly flood the park again.

04/06/2026

Yes. The date for early bird rates end April 22nd. Please save yourself some $cash$!!!

The start line is calling your name! 🛶
Answer the call 📞 at
www.canoemarathon.com
May 17, 2026

Early bird rates end 4/22 🗓️

09/10/2025

The end of the season has arrived. With the flash drought taking hold of our region, the Kishwaukee River has nose dived into oblivion. What does that mean? Well nobody wants to walk the whole river. I had held out hope for large rainfalls to replenish the river before the end of the season. That did not happen and the forecast is not pretty looking when it comes to the rain prospects. Thank you to everybody that came out this year and enjoyed some time on the river. We will return next spring when the weather warms up. Thank you again and see you next year!!