Visitors Guide to
Fishing the Illinois River
in the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area
Jersey & Calhoun Counties, Illinois

Despite pollution and the continual manipulation of the environment by man, the Illinois River still provides quality sport fishing. Sport species commonly occurring in the river include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, drum, crappie species, bullhead species, bluegill and miscellaneous sunfish species.

 
Largemouth Bass  
Illinois Record: 13 lbs. 1 oz
Good natural bait: Minnows, crayfish, night crawlers, and worms
Best times: Early morning or late evening
 
 
Smallmouth Bass  
Illinois Record: 6 lbs. 7 oz
Good natural bait: Minnows, night crawlers, crayfish
Best times: Late evening
 
 
Channel Catfish  
Illinois Record: 45 lbs. 4 oz
Good natural bait: Cut bait, shrimp, small shad, minnows, chicken livers, and night crawlers
Best times: xx
 
 
Black Bullhead Catfish  
Illinois Record: 5 lbs. 6 oz
Good natural bait: Worms, crayfish, night crawlers, and cut bait
Best times: xx
 
 
Carp  
Illinois Record: 51 lbs. 0 oz
Good natural bait: Prepared baits, sweet corn, worms, and night crawlers
Best times: xx
 
 
White Crappie  
Illinois Record: 4 lbs. 7 oz
Good natural bait: Minnows
Best times: xx
 
 
Black Crappie  
Illinois Record: 4 lbs. 8 oz
Good natural bait: Minnows
Best times: xx
 
 
Yellow Bass  
Illinois Record: 2 lb. 0 oz
Good natural bait: xx
Best times: xx
 
 
White Bass  
Illinois Record: 4 lbs. 14 oz
Good natural bait: xx
Best times: xx
 
 
Walleye  
Illinois Record: 14 lbs. 0 oz
Good natural bait: Minnows and night crawlers
Best times: xx
 
 
Green Sunfish  
Illinois Record: 2 lbs. 5 oz
Good natural bait: xx
Best times: xx
 
   
 

 

 
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE GREAT RIVER ROAD
Lewis and Clark
State Historic Site
Mississippi
River Ferries
McCully
Heritage Project
Sam Vadalabene
Bike Trail