Here's a few places recommended at the site.

Northwestern Illinois
Hennepin Canal is a 104.5-mile-long park that spans five counties. The canal is 925 acres, with an average depth of 5 feet and averages about 90 feet across. The majority is accessible to bank-fishing, which makes it family-friendly. Non-anglers can also elect to go boating, canoeing, picnicking, camping, or hike and bike a 93-mile multi-use trail. There are good populations of largemouth bass, bluegills, crappies, walleyes, channel catfish and flathead catfish. Call (815) 454-2328 for more information.

North Charter Oak Lake is part of the Peoria Park District in Peoria County. The lake is located on the northwest side of Peoria. Go one mile south of U.S. Route 150 on Orange Prairie Road to the parking area for the park. This 6.4-acre lake is accessible to shore-anglers by a paved trail and three fishing piers. The whole family can enjoy recreational activities including fishing, walking and nature watching along a paved trail near the lake. The children might enjoy the fact that the park also has a playground. The park also has a covered pavilion for picnicking. Anglers will find largemouth bass, bluegills, redear sunfish, channel catfish and carp. To learn more about the Peoria Park District's amenities, call them at (309) 682-1200.

Northeastern Illinois
In Kendall County, your family should check out Big Lake and Beaver Lake in Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area. Both of these lakes are old gravel pits, with Big Lake the larger of the two at 22 acres and Beaver Lake at 4.5 acres. Maximum depths are similar at just over 20 feet. Since the majority of the shoreline of both of these ponds is accessible to shore-anglers, it'll make fishing easier for the kids. Activities include fishing, boating and hiking trails. Big Lake has a gravel boat ramp, and rental boats are available at the on-site concession stand. If you do take a boat, use electric trolling motors only. Both lakes contain populations of largemouth bass, bluegills, white crappies and channel catfish. Catchable-sized rainbow trout are stocked into Big Lake in the spring and fall. For more information about the park, call (630) 553-6297.

Central Illinois
Clinton Lake in De Witt County offers recreational opportunities for the whole family. The Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is operated by the DNR with the cooperation of Amergen Energy Company. Not only can you fish but there are also major water recreational activities such as swimming, boating and waterskiing. You can also go hiking and camping. Angling is mainly from boats, but numerous fishing piers and shoreline access areas are spread around the lake. Several bridges cross the lake and provide anglers great access to fishing. Popular species include largemouth bass, walleyes, hybrid striped bass, striped bass and the popular crappie. Call (217) 935-8722 for more details.