The McHenry Dam has been a landmark fishing and recreational site for close to a century. Anglers have spent many hours pulling Walleye, Bass, Crappie, and Catfish from the river. The McHenry Dam State Park is now home to Gill's Concession, located on the shoreline of the Fox River, overlooking the William G. Stratton Lock and Dam. Gill's Galley and Gill's Bait shop are open seasonally, from April 1st through mid November to serve the more than 1,000,000 people that visit yearly.
The Galley offers food, beverages, snacks, and ice cream. Whether you pick up something from The Galley, or bring a picnic basket from home, the State Park offers wooded picnic areas with spectacular views of the river. Plenty of parking is available, with space for over 200 vehicles.
Our friendly Bait Shop staff can fill all your fishing needs, including rental of one of our new 14' rowboats for use on the Fox River. The Shop also carries terminal tackle, a wide variety of rods and reels, live bait, Illinois Fishing Licenses, and always free advice from Gill.
Click on headings below for more information......
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Gill's Hours | |
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Rental Rates | |
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Gill's Galley Menu | |
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Directions | |
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Back to Gill's Home Page |
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Gill's Bait Shop Hours
March Weather Permitting (Call for information) April Daily 8:00am to 7:00pm May Daily 6:00am to 7:00pm June Daily 6:00am to 7:00pm July Daily 6:00am to 7:00pm August Daily 6:00am to 7:00pm Sept. Daily 7:00am to 7:00pm Oct. Daily 8:00am to 7:00pm Nov. Weather Permitting (Call for information) |
Gill's Galley Hours Closed Weekends 11:00 am to 7:00pm Weekends 11:00 am to 7:00pm Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 7:00pm Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 7:00pm Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 7:00pm Weekends 11:00 am to 7:00pm Weekends 11:00 am to 7:00pm Closed |
Gill's Rental Rates
We have 25 14' Lowe Jon boats for rent below and above the dam.
Rental is a day rate of $25.00, this includes 2 oars and an anchor.
Only electric trolling motors are allowed.
Life jackets are required for each person in the boat, and are available for rent @ $1.00 each.
Boats are due back 1 hour before the bait shop closes.
A yearly pass is available for $250.00. This allows unlimited use of Gill's boats at both locations for the entire season, excluding holiday weekends. (Call Gill's for more information)
Directions
From the North: IL Rt. 12
south to Rt. 176, West on Rt.176 to
River Road, North on River Road approx. 2 miles to entrance to McHenry Dam, West
on McHenry Dam Road to Gill's.
From the South: IL Rt. 12
north to Rt. 176, West on Rt. 176 to River Road, North on River Road approx. 2
miles to entrance to McHenry Dam, West on McHenry Dam Road to Gill's.
From the East: Rt. 176 to River Road, North on River Road approx. 2 miles to entrance to McHenry Dam, West on McHenry Dam Road to Gill's.
From the West: IL Rt. 176 West to River Road, North on River Road approx. 2 miles to entrance to McHenry Dam, West on McHenry Dam Road to Gill's.