Boating the Rock River in Rockford, IL. Would my 25' boat be small enough for the Rock River? If so where could I launch my boat at?

No problem with a 25ft boat. There are a few places to launch. I can fill you in more if you come up this way. The problem is there is not much water to run. Only about 7 miles. The worst part is there is a 45 mph speed limit and its heavily patroled by the DNR and local sheriffs police. I run the river here once in a while because it's convienient, but mostly trailer to other places.

Wow i did not realise that the rock river went through rockford to...my parents had a place on lake koshkonog and we use to boat on the river..i wonder if you can go from rockford to edgerton?

There are several dams between Rockford and Edgerton and it's too shallow in many places, so no you can't make it by boat.

Wow.!! that post sure brings back some old memories. I used to rip that river with my 16' Hustler, and skied all over. Used to belong the Bronx and I was one of the original river rats. The river is pretty shallow , but if you stay in the middle and familiar with river currents as far as where sand deposits, you will be ok. The 45MPH limit sux, there wasn't any back in the days, and I mean waaaay back.. 70's. lol. I had my 26' Infinity up there for a short time and I had no issues, but I know the river. yoU CAN FRO FROM dOWN TOWN ROCKFORD ALL THE WAY TO THE wISC BORDER (IF YOU KNOW HOW, AND EVEN TAKE A DETOUR TO THE PACATONICA RIVER. BUT, THE PACATONICA,, NOW that's small, you can't even turn around, you have to stop, and turn in idle. There are several place to drop in, I recommend Martin park, Google it, it's on the East side, just South of the bridge. (I think it's Martin park.. lol ) it's been a while. Or across the bridge. http://www.mapquest.com/?version=1.0&hk=4-U37FlOWw

Yes, Back in the 90's and It used to be a lot of fun with lots of performance boats. That sure has changed. The people that lived on the river formed a Home Owners Association and wanted to put an end to the loud and fast boats. They used their political influence's to get a speed limit and put some police boats on the water. Then the DNR followed. That killed any fun. People with the performance boats either sold them or travel to other waters like I do. They wanted it to be like "On Golden Pond" ,so they can put around on their pontoon boats. Here is the best part. Now that the performance boats have left they are pulling over the pontoons and checking them for OWI and they don't like it. They think they aren't hurting anyone putting around. They called in the calvary now it's their turn. Carefull what you wish for.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]514872[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]514869[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]514870[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]514871[/ATTACH]Hah, sounds like most all the lakes in Wisconsin. That's why I went for an outboard. However, the Kosh shoot out does bring in some nice hardware....z

45 mph speed limit that blows! How would the Rockford area compare to the Janesville area on the river?

"where should you launch it at?" right between the A and the T in at.lol