Illinois River - LaGrange Pool

Crappie spp.

Good

Both black crappie and white crappie are common in the La Grange Pool, though black crappie are usually more abundant. Crappie catch rates in the La Grange Pool were below average in 2024. Backwaters, side channels and main channel border areas with submerged brush are the best locations for crappie fishing. The numerous backwater lakes of the La Grange Pool have historically been excellent crappie waters.

Smallmouth Bass

Fair

Smallmouth Bass are collected in lower numbers in the LaGrange Pool compared to largemouth bass, but catches were above average in 2024 with 3.6 fish/hour collected. Bass are part of the sunfish family that need quality spawning and nursery habitat to have successful spawns. Spring flood pulses extend water surface area, which provides suitable habitat for bass to carry out their life history strategies. Spring flood pulses have not occurred in recent years.

Blue Catfish

Improving

No Blue Catfish were collected in 2024, but densities are increasing adding another potential trophy catfish species to the pool.

White Bass

Very Good

The White Bass is a schooling species that is present throughout the main channel of the LaGrange Pool. White Bass can be found pool wide congregated at outflows and following schools of shad. The 2024 spring flood resulted in a strong year class of White Bass. Forty-eight White Bass/hour electrofishing were collected in the 2024 survey, which was the second highest catch rate in the LaGrange Pool over the last 10 years. IDNR Biologists have been receiving an increase in calls from anglers catching hybrid striped bass (White Bass x striped bass). There is no creel limit on white or hybrid striped bass measuring less than 17 inches, however white or hybrid striped bass measuring 17 inches or greater have a 3 fish/day creel limit on the Illinois River.

Largemouth Bass

Average

Largemouth Bass are prevalent throughout the La Grange Pool. Like other sunfish species, they have reproductive spikes during big flood years. The 2024 fish community survey resulted in an average Largemouth Bass survey (9/hour) for the LaGrange Pool. Bass are part of the sunfish family that need quality spawning and nursery habitat to have successful spawns. Spring flood pulses extend water surface area, which provides suitable habitat for bass to carry out their life history strategies. Spring flood pulses have not occurred in recent years.

Sauger

Average

Sauger and walleye are most abundant in the upper pools of the Illinois River, but are present in the LaGrange pool. No Sauger or walleye were collected in the 2024 La Grange Pool annual fish survey. They are typically found in deep waters during the day, but search for food in the shallows at night, therefor our daytime electrofishing surveys are not ideal to assess Sauger or walleye populations.

Flathead Catfish

Excellent

Flathead Catfish are common in the La Grange Pool and trophy-sized fish exceeding 36 inches and 30 pounds can be found. The 2024 fish community survey resulted in the collection of 7.6 Flathead Catfish/hour electrofishing ranging from 6 – 20 inches, which was the second highest catch rate in the LaGrange Pool over the last 10 years. Fish the deep holes, main channel border near current breaks, and woody debris piles or other structure.

Channel Catfish

Excellent

Channel Catfish are one of the primary game fish of the La Grange Pool and they are abundant throughout the reach. Fish over 24 inches weighing 7 to 10 pounds are common. Notable areas for Channel Catfish are main channel border (area between the navigation channel and the river bank) and side channels with current and structure. The 2024 fish community survey resulted in a catch rate of 16 Channel Catfish/hour electrofishing with fish ranging in size 2–23 inches weighing up to 4.4 pounds. The LaGrange Pool showed the highest catch rate out of all pools in 2024. Hoop net surveys are a better gear to evaluate benthic fish populations, like Channel Catfish. Hoop net surveys are conducted annually on various parts of the river. There remains a one-meal-per-week contaminant advisory on Channel Catfish over 16 inches in the lower Illinois River due to low-level PCB detection in the flesh. PCB contamination in fish is a remnant of past pollution that is declining. Trim the fat, particularly around the belly, and allow fat to drip off the fish when cooking to minimize exposure to PCBs.