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Marinas & Boat Ramps · Chicago, IL

Marinas & Boat Ramps in Chicago

17 listings · ranked by rating & reviews · updated 2026

Marinas and boat ramps are the launch points and home base for anyone fishing from their own boat. Public boat ramps are often free or charge a small launch or parking fee, while full-service marinas add slips, fuel docks, bait, pump-outs and sometimes a shop or restaurant. If you trailer a boat, the ramp is where the day starts - and details like ramp condition, tide access, parking for trailers and hours matter as much as anything. Facilities and fees vary a lot from a simple concrete ramp to a large marina, so it helps to know what a location offers before you arrive. The listings here help you find ramps and marinas by city and state.

Below are 17 marinas & boat ramps listings in Chicago, IL, ranked by Google review volume so you can start with the most established options and contact them directly. The most-reviewed is DuSable Harbor (4.6★, 1,048 Google reviews).

Typical pricing

Public boat ramps are often free or charge a small launch or parking fee; full-service marinas set their own rates for slips, fuel and services. Facilities and fees vary widely - confirm launch fees, hours and availability with the marina or managing agency.

See our full guide to fishing in Chicago for neighborhoods, local pricing and how to choose.

Top marinas & boat ramps listings in Chicago

  1. 1
    DuSable Harbor
    Charters

    DuSable Harbor

    Chicago

    Marina in Chicago Loop, IL · 4.6★ (1048).

    ★ 4.6 · 1,048View →
  2. 2
    Belmont Harbor
    Charters

    Belmont Harbor

    Chicago

    Marina in Chicago, IL · 4.7★ (530).

    ★ 4.7 · 530View →
  3. 3
    31st Street Harbor
    Charters

    31st Street Harbor

    Chicago

    Marina in Douglas, IL · 4.6★ (432).

    ★ 4.6 · 432View →
  4. 4
    Navy Pier Marina
    Charters

    Navy Pier Marina

    Chicago

    Marina in Streeterville, IL · 4.8★ (156).

    ★ 4.8 · 156View →
  5. 5
    Burnham Harbor
    Charters

    Burnham Harbor

    Chicago

    Marina in Museum Campus, IL · 4.7★ (145).

    ★ 4.7 · 145View →
  6. 6
    Montrose Harbor
    Charters

    Montrose Harbor

    Chicago

    Marina in Uptown, IL · 4.7★ (118).

    ★ 4.7 · 118View →
  7. 7
    Dempster St. Beach Launch Facility
    Charters

    Dempster St. Beach Launch Facility

    Chicago

    Park in Evanston, IL · 4.4★ (105).

    ★ 4.4 · 105View →
  8. 8
    Calumet Park: Boat Ramp 1
    Charters

    Calumet Park: Boat Ramp 1

    Chicago

    Boat ramp in East Side, IL · 4.2★ (92).

    ★ 4.2 · 92View →
  9. 9
    Forest View Marina
    Charters

    Forest View Marina

    Chicago

    Marina in Chicago, IL · 4.2★ (91).

    ★ 4.2 · 91View →
  10. 10
    Monroe Harbor Tender Service
    Charters

    Monroe Harbor Tender Service

    Chicago

    Marina in Chicago Loop, IL · 4.4★ (63).

    ★ 4.4 · 63View →
  11. 11
    Dempster Street Beach Office
    Charters

    Dempster Street Beach Office

    Chicago

    Boat ramp in Evanston, IL · 4.5★ (49).

    ★ 4.5 · 49View →
  12. 12
    CFishing Listing
    Charters

    Canal Street Marina

    Chicago

    Marina in Armour Square, IL · 4.7★ (43).

    ★ 4.7 · 43View →
  13. 13
    BFishing Listing
    Charters

    Belmont Harbor Boat Docks

    Chicago

    Marina in Lake View, IL · 4.6★ (40).

    ★ 4.6 · 40View →
  14. 14
    Jackson Park Inner Harbor
    Charters

    Jackson Park Inner Harbor

    Chicago

    Marina in Woodlawn, IL · 4.4★ (38).

    ★ 4.4 · 38View →
  15. 15
    Boat Launch
    Charters

    Boat Launch

    Chicago

    Boat ramp in Lincoln Park, IL · 4.6★ (31).

    ★ 4.6 · 31View →
  16. 16
    Monroe Harbor - North Harbor Public Dock
    Charters

    Monroe Harbor - North Harbor Public Dock

    Chicago

    Marina in Chicago, IL · 4.6★ (28).

    ★ 4.6 · 28View →
  17. 17
    Dammrich Rowing Center
    Charters

    Dammrich Rowing Center

    Chicago

    Rowing area in Skokie, IL · 4.1★ (27).

    ★ 4.1 · 27View →

FAQ

Marinas & Boat Ramps in Chicago - common questions

How many marinas & boat ramps are there in Chicago? +
Lure Compass lists 17 listings for marinas & boat ramps in Chicago, IL.
Who has the best-rated marinas & boat ramps in Chicago? +
By Google review volume, DuSable Harbor is the most-reviewed marinas & boat ramps listing in Chicago (4.6★, 1,048 reviews). Rankings follow review count, not paid placement.
Are public boat ramps free? +
Many public boat ramps are free to use, though some charge a launch fee or require paid trailer parking, and busy ramps can fill up early on weekends. Fees and hours vary by location and managing agency - confirm before you tow your boat out.
What is the difference between a boat ramp and a marina? +
A boat ramp is a launch point for trailered boats - often just a concrete ramp and parking. A marina is a larger facility that may add slips, fuel, bait, pump-outs, repairs and a shop or restaurant. Some listings are ramps only, others full marinas, so check what each location offers.
How do I find a boat ramp or marina near me? +
Browse the ramps and marinas listed by city and state here to see nearby launch points and what facilities they offer. Because ramp condition, tide access and hours change, confirm current details with the marina or the agency that manages the ramp before your trip.
How much does a fishing charter cost in Chicago? +
Chicago salmon charters generally run about $450-$1,300. A shared or half-day trolling trip sits at the lower end, while longer full-day charters and private-boat bookings for a full group reach the top. Confirm the total price and what the boat provides when you book.
What do Chicago charters catch on Lake Michigan? +
The main targets are chinook (king) and coho salmon, along with lake trout, brown trout and steelhead. Spring adds nearshore brown trout and schools of yellow perch. Ask the captain what is running, since the mix shifts through the season.
When is the best time to fish Lake Michigan out of Chicago? +
Spring means brown trout and perch close to shore near the harbors and warm-water outflows. Summer is prime for kings and coho over deeper water offshore, and early fall brings mature salmon staging before the run. Each season leans on a different depth and technique.
Is a Chicago charter better as a morning or full-day trip? +
Most anglers book the half-day morning trolling trip, when salmon feed best in low light and the lake is usually calmest. Full-day trips give more time to work offshore breaks and cover water. Pick based on how far out you want to run and your budget.

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Other categories in Chicago

Fishing ChartersPublic Fishing SpotsFishing PiersBait & Tackle ShopsFishing Guides