The condition of river water quality can be considered as a potential source of oxidative stress of river organisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in three genera of aquatic insects namely Chrironominae, Gomphus and Lestes collected from Karang Mumus River, Pampang River, and Nabah River of East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Aquatic insects were collected using Ekman-Grab, Surber net and Kick net. Determinations of SOD, CAT and MDA were conducted in all aquatic insect samples. Physical-chemical parameters of environmental quality were also measured in all rivers. Visual observation showed that the turbidities of water were in the order: Karang Mumus River>Pampang River> Nabah River. The highest SOD, CAT and MDA were recorded in Chironominae and Gomphus live in the Karang Mumus River, and the lowest recorded in Nabah River. The SOD and CAT activities in Lestes were not significantly different in all rivers, however Lestes in Nabah showed the highest MDA. The oxidative responses of Chironominae and Gomphus most likely affected by the water turbidity. Meanwhile, the high level of MDA in Lestes most probably related to the metals' levels both in sediment and water.