Resources
Boat Rentals in McLean County
Adventure Connection
Address: 1700 W. Gregory Street; Normal, IL
Phone: (309) 438-8419
Hours:
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Sundays, Mondays and Fridays 3-6pm
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Saturdays 10am-1pm
Rent recreational kayaks, touring kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, kayak paddles, personal floatation devices (PFDs), car carrier kits, accessory bags, spray skirts, bilge pumps, paddle floats and sponges.
Reservations and same-day rentals can be made in person during open hours as listed. Reservations can be made outside of open hours after an appointment has been made. Contact Adventure Connection by phone or e-mail at Adventure@IllinoisState.edu to make an appointment.
Evergreen Lake
Address: 13001 Recreation Area Drive, Hudson, IL
Phone: (309) 434-6770
Hours:
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8am-6pm Monday-Thursday
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6am-6pm Friday-Sunday
Boat rentals at the bait shop
Rates:
- Kayaks or canoes at $12/hour or $27/day
- paddleboats at $8/half hour
- rowboats at $15-30/hour or $30-75/day
- Also available: launch your own boat for a small fee
Fishing and wildlife viewing also available here.
NOTE: 10 HP boat limit to keep waters calm
Moraine View Restaurant and Kayak Rental
Address: 27374 E. 900 North Rd, Le Roy, IL 61752
Phone: (866) 724-6398
Hours:
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Closed January and February
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Open March weather permitting
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Open April – September 7am-7pm
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Open October – December weather permitting 7am – 4:30pm
Reservations taken 1-14 days in advance; no same-day reservations
Vessels available:
- Kayaks (single/double/triple)
- Canoes
- Rowboats (small/large)
- Paddleboats
Prices vary by vessel type and rental duration (hourly or full day). Group rates for 10 or more vessels and yearly paddle passes available as well.
Miller Park Boats
Address: 1020 S. Morris Ave, Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 434-2254
Hours:
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Open May 26 – Sept. 3, weekends only and water level permitting, 12 – 5pm
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Also open Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day
Paddleboats $4/half hour
Boaters under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult
Learn to Boat
Boating Safety Courses
Offered for McLean County by Region 2 (Northeast Zone) of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources webpage for course schedule or contact Region 2 Central Office at:
Phone: (217) 557-9206
Email: DNR.safetyed@illinois.gov
Several online boating safety courses are also available
An Online Paddling Sports safety course is available here, officially approved by the American Canoe Association: Boater Exam
Illinois Valley Yacht Club (IVY Club)
in partnership with the Peoria Park District
Address: 5102 Galena Road, Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Phone: (309) 682-5419
Divisions: Youth (8-16 years) and Adult (17 years and above) – Beginner and Intermediate levels
Dates: June 11-28
Rates:
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IVY Members—9 3-hour sessions for $100
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Nonmembers—9 3-hour sessions for $135
Skills covered:
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basic boat handling
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knot tying
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terminology
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self-rescue and introduction to racing.
Sailors will be grouped by experience and abilities. The IVY Club will provide life jackets and boats. Sailors must wear closed-toe beach shoes in the water.
Learn to Fish
Community Outreach and Resource Education Program
(formerly known as the Urban Fishing Program)
Location: Miller Park Old Concessions Stand Building
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages are welcome
How to register: Call Bloomington Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts at (309) 434-2260
What happens during the session?
A session is 90 minutes. It starts with discussion of fishing safety, how to use the equipment and conservation of fish and their environments. Then there is a 20-30-minute discussion of the science of fishing that helps people trying to fish learn to catch fish regularly. After that, participants practice fishing.
Inclement weather policy: If the weather is bad, the sessions will be cancelled and participants will be notified immediately.