b) Lockport, Fishnet Rapids: Romeo Rd. to Division St. (0.75 mile or 4.25 mile)

As of Spring, 2021 we have information that Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve (LPNP) is increasing enforcement of regulations which prohibit foot traffic anywhere other than formally designated trails. This means _taking out river-right at Division Street is unlawful_, since there is not a formally designated boat landing or foot trails there. If access and parking can be found via Powerhouse Road, it may be possible to legally take out river-left. Otherwise, it would be necessary to proceed downriver to Joliet to either Hwy.53/Ruby Street (adding 3.3 miles of flatwater) or to Bridge Street/W.Jackson Street (adding 3.8 miles of flatwater). Start your trip at _Isle la Cache_. A museum there (open 10am-4pm Tu-Sa, 12-4 Su) offers information about the history of the area, and has a (no fee) canoe launch. Each year (usually about the second weekend of June) they have an 'Island Rendezvous' in which re-enactors from all over the Midwest come and demonstrate what life was like for Native Americans and French fur traders in the 17th and 18th centuries. Come enjoy the 'feasting, playing, and dancing'. (See _their calendar_ for other events.) On the river, the steeper gradient (such as it is) lies in the half-mile downstream of the Hwy.7 bridge, so many boaters will just use that location for 'park-and-play' access. For additional description, see _Chicago Area Paddling and Fishing Guide_. Puting on at Isle a la Cache, you have multiple routes through braided channels. River right is the most common, and there are eddylines by the bridge abutment that are ideal for beginner practice. There is generally good current for the entire reach even at lower flows, but below 1000 cfs, expect to scrape in the wider areas. It's not hard to find riffles and eddys that are ideal for training purposes, but this is certainly not an action packed run. After passing under the very large Route 7 bridge, follow the second channel from the left bank to get the most whitewater, which is a short set of waves and riffles that could swamp a canoe or rec kayak, but are pretty simple for decked boats. I'll call it class 2, but just barely. If you want to avoid the waves, use a channel further to the right. After the rapids, an abandoned bridge marks the takeout. The best spot is on the upstream river right side. Avoid the temptation to ride the final riffles downstream of the bridge unless you want to travel several more miles to a boat launch at Briggs Street in Joliet, which is the next access. Wildlife is very abundant through this stretch, and as of April of 2015, there was a large eagles nest on one of the islands a ways downstream of the put in. The take out is along a nature preserve where wetland birds flourish. It's amazing to see how much heavy industry and nature are intertwined along the river.