dalonzo Loc: Witt. IL

Thinking on going fish the Illinois river in IL. But I was told it was taken over by Asian carp! Has it gotten any better! Would like to know before my trip! The area I used to go was pretty good with cat! So anyone know how it is around Hardin or Kampsville Il? Need a good fish report! Thamk You !

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Welcome to the Forum, dalonzo. I'm not sure we have very many members from that area. You might call a local bait shop and see if they will help you.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

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JUNE - Rock River: Walleyes;

Annual stocking by the Illinois DNR helps keep the walleye population in the Rock River in very good shape, and there are plenty of fish available throughout a wide size range. In fact, DNR biologists have reported catching walleyes larger than the state record while doing routine sampling on the river. The best fishing is generally in the upper Rock River, and anglers have reported catching better quality walleyes in the stretch of river between Rockford and Sterling. Anglers also have good success near Dixon. Good walleye fishing is also available in the Pecatonica River, which is a tributary of the Rock River near Rockford.
Other Options: Hennepin Canal Bluegills: Great bank-fishing for bluegills exists at the Hennepin Canal. Carlyle Lake Crappies: There is an excellent crappie fishery, comprised of black and white crappies, at Carlyle Lake.



https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/2018-illinois-fishing-calendar/190134


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Fox River Fishing Guide;


Description: The Fox River runs from its origin in Waukesha, Wisconsin to the confluence with the Illinois River in Ottawa. Flowing for a total of 115 miles in Illinois, the Fox River contains 13 dams and 15 major tributary streams. The upper river is very low gradient, increasing in slope downstream of Algonquin and continuing through a highly urbanized area where most of the dams are located. Downstream of Yorkville, the river is free flowing through ag-land to the Dayton Dam, 5 miles upstream of the Illinois River.


©Illinois State Water Survey;

River Access:

The Fox River has many public parks in the upper and middle sections. Although there are fewer public areas in the lower river, Silver Springs State Park near Plano offers good access. Boats can be used in many areas of the upper river, while the middle and lower sections are shallow and wade-able through much of the year. The lower Fox River from Yorkville to Wedron has several popular canoe floats, which is a great way to access good fishing areas.

Status of the Sport Fishery: The Fox River has a very diverse sport fishery, including Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass, channel catfish, bluegill, walleye, flat-head catfish, and Muskie. Sport fish on the main stem appeared to have weathered the 2012 drought fairly well, although limited mortality of cool water species (walleye and pikes) was observed in mid-July in the shallow areas of Kane County.


Fox River Fishery Facts;


The Fox River is one of the most versatile bodies of water to fish in Illinois. There are over 100 public access points along this stretch for fishing. The most popular fishing areas have been at the following dams: Dayton, Yorkville, Montgomery, North Aurora, St. Charles, and McHenry. Spring and fall are the best times to catch most species of fish found in the Fox River.

Limits of walleyes are not uncommon at these times, especially in April and September, with many Smallmouth Bass taken right along with the walleye.
The farthest downstream dam at Dayton is located approximately 5.5 miles up from the confluence with the Illinois River. In addition to the tail-water area below the dam, another exceptional fishing spot is located here. Immediately below the hydroelectric power plant on the west side of the river just down from the dam has been a hot spot for walleye, white bass, crappie, and channel catfish.


Proceeding upstream, in addition to the fine tail-water fishery below the various dams, there are several well-known channel areas that provide fine angling opportunities. Channels and backwaters, in addition to spring and fall, can be exceptionally productive during the ice fishing season and at times of high water. Bluegill, crappie, and yellow bass are most commonly caught at these locations. The east channel just above Montgomery Dam has been noted as probably the best. This channel, at one time, was dug for the purpose of boat lock-age; but the project was never completed and has provided a very popular place to catch fish and enjoy the outdoor setting.

Another good channel is an area known as Depot Pond. Located on the west side of the river, at the upper Batavia Dam, it also produces fine catches of pan-fish, especially crappie.
To the north, the farthest upstream dam is located 2.5 miles south of McHenry. Providing a tail-water fishery of the Fox Chain O'Lakes, this area provides more walleye than any spot on the river and is a prime area for channel catfish, white and yellow bass, and crappie. Flathead catfish have been caught below most Fox River dams, including McHenry Dam, where 20 to 30 pound fish are not uncommon. Northern pike are also taken, especially in April.

Species Rank Fish Status;

BLUEGILL;

Average These species are in low abundance except in the upper low gradient areas, which are more lake-like. Bluegills were most abundant at Rt. 120 in McHenry and at Burton's Bridge, with many fish exceeding 6 inches in length.

CHANNEL CATFISH;

Very Good Based on surveys, channel catfish are generally more abundant in the areas downstream of South Elgin and appear to favor higher gradient areas of the river. Highest catch rates were found at South Elgin, Algonquin, and Oswego. Many larger fish (>20 inches) were collected at Algonquin and Oswego. Catch rates were a bit lower in the areas downstream of Yorkville.

FLATHEAD CATFISH;

Good The IDNR initiated a study in 2009 to characterize Fox River flat-heads. Surveys indicate a healthy population with a wide range of sizes present, including individuals up to 45 inches in length. Recruitment has been relatively consistent over the study period. Although fish in the 20 to 28 inch size range are fairly abundant, tagging studies indicate larger individuals are limited in number, especially compared to larger streams like the Rock River. Areas that have produced flat-heads consistently, including some larger fish, are South Elgin, St. Charles, Oswego, Silver Springs, and Milhurst. Studies will continue over the next few years.

LARGEMOUTH BASS;

Average These species are in low abundance except in the upper low gradient areas, which are more lake-like. Catch rate for Largemouth Bass was highest at McHenry downstream of the dam, where sampling included some fish larger than 12 inches.

MUSKELLUNGE;

Good Escapement from local lakes has led to establishment of a muskie fishery in the Fox River. They are found commonly throughout the middle river from Montgomery to Silver Springs, as well as in other selected areas. Creek mouths and areas below dams produce the most consistent numbers. Fall surveys at Montgomery yielded 3 muskie 34-39 inches long and several others were observed. One 38" muskie was collected at Silver Springs, a location which often produces multiple fish.

SMALLMOUTH BASS;

Excellent By far the most abundant sport-fish, Smallmouth Bass are common throughout much of the middle and lower river segments and in larger tributaries. Populations are fairly consistent from year to year with good reproduction in most years. Hot spots include Algonquin, St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia. Algonquin was particularly good in 2012 sampling, with many fish over 14 inches. Other good locations are South Elgin, Aurora, Oswego, and Yorkville. Pools upstream of the dams and the entire river upstream of the Algonquin hold few Smallmouth bass due to degraded habitat and slow current. Downstream of Yorkville, the number of bass in the river is somewhat lower, but fish can be found in the larger tributaries, Big Rock, Little Rock, Somonauk and Indian Creeks. Throughout the river small (4-10 inches) bass were very abundant indicating good future numbers of larger fish.

WALLEYE;

Good Walleye were collected at 9 of the 15 Fox River mainstream stations sampled in 2012. The highest number was found at South Eglin where fish were up to 22 inches in size. Walleye were in low abundance at other locations. This year the number of 2" walleye stocked in the lower river was increased from 25,000 to 50,000 with the opening of the fish bypass at Yorkville Dam. The upper river receives passive stocking due to overflow from the Chain O' Lakes program.




https://www.ifishillinois.org/profiles/Fox.php



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Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

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Illinois River;

Credit: U.S. Geological Survey:
Department of the Interior/USGS U.S. Geological Survey:

Illinois River Fishing Guide;

The slow-moving Illinois River, which twists 273 miles through the heart of the state before joining the Mississippi River 14 miles upstream from Alton, has shown an improved fishery since the late 1970s, and anglers have made fine catches of s
"Sauger and Walleyes", white bass, channel catfish, largemouth bass and pan-fish from both the main stream and backwaters.

Forming at the junction of the Kankakee and Des Plaines Rivers in the northeastern part of the state, the Illinois and its backwaters provide some 87,000 surface acres. There are five dams on the Illinois River besides the one on the Mississippi at Alton in which pool the lower 80 miles of the Illinois is included. The depth of the river is regulated for navigation purposes by this series of locks and dams. Each section of the river between dams is called a navigation pool. The pools are given the name of the dam, which controls the water level of the pool, that is, the dam that is immediately downstream from the pool.

Basin Report: Upper Illinois;


Illinois River Pools:

Lockport: Lockport extends from the Lockport Lock & Dam located near Lockport, Illinois, upstream to the Chicago Harbor Lock, in Chicago, Illinois.

Brandon: Brandon extends from the Brandon Lock & Dam located within Rockdale and Joliet, Illinois, upstream to the Lockport Lock & Dam located near Lockport, Illinois.

Dresden: Dresden extends from the Dresden Lock & Dam located south of Channahon, Illinois, upstream to the Brandon Lock & Dam, in Rockdale and Joliet, Illinois.

Marseilles: Marseilles extends from the Marseilles Lock located near Marseilles, Illinois, upstream to the Dresden Lock & Dam located south of Channahon, Illinois.

Starved Rock: Starved Rock extends from the Starved Rock Lock & Dam located near Utica, Illinois, upstream to the Marseilles lock located near Marseilles, Illinois.

Peoria: Peoria extends from the Peoria Lock & Dam located near Peoria, Illinois, upstream to the Starved Rock Lock & Dam located near Utica, Illinois.

La Grange: La Grange extends from the La Grange Lock & Dam located south of Beardstown, Illinois, upstream to Peoria Lock & Dam located near Peoria, Illinois.

Alton: Alton is used to describe the un-impounded portion of the Illinois River. It extends from the Mississippi River upstream to the La Grange Lock & Dam south of Beardstown, Illinois.

Excellent;

Fishing is at its best when the river is rising and floods the lowland timber areas, revealing new food for these fish. There is a fish consumption advisory for channel catfish from the Peoria Pool to the head waters of the Illinois River.

SAUGER;*****

Excellent;

***** The major portion of the Sauger population lies below the "Starved Rock Dam" and extends all the way down to the Mississippi River. Usually beginning in March or even earlier, one of the best ways to catch these tasty fish is to use a minnow on a floating jig with enough weight to keep it on the bottom.*****

WALLEYE;

Excellent*****

***** Anglers can expect to find good numbers of Walleye in the upper pools below the dams at Dresden and Marseilles. Some of the bigger Walleye can be found at Starved Rock, with sampling finding fish ranging from 23 to 27 inches in length.*****


Sauger 484

Walleye 17
Walleye/Sauger Hybrid 29


https://www.ifishillinois.org/profiles/Illinois.php


Please click on links for additional information, Thank you.

Gone Fishin'
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