Illinois River - Starved Rock Pool

Flathead Catfish

Excellent

Flathead Catfish provide a chance to catch a big fish in the upper Illinois River. Hoop net surveys conducted in 2023 resulted in the collection of 69 Flathead Catfish ranging from 16 – 42 inches weighing up to 39 pounds. Trophy-sized fish exceeding 36 inches and 25 pounds are common in the Starved Rock and Marseilles pools of the Illinois River. Fish the deep holes and main channel border near current breaks for trophy Flathead Catfish.

Largemouth Bass

Good

Largemouth Bass catch rates were above average in the Starved Rock Pool. The Marseilles Pool had the highest catch rate of Largemouth Bass over the last 10 years for that pool and highest catch rate out of all pools surveyed in 2024. Three to four year classes were present ranging from 3 – 16 inches. Unlike smallmouth bass, there is not a consumption advisory for Largemouth Bass in either the Starved Rock or Marseilles pools.

White Bass

Developing

The White Bass is a schooling species that may be found in open waters with slower velocities upstream of the Starved Rock Dam. White Bass have been absent from our annual electrofishing surveys in the Starved Rock and Marseilles pool for the last several years, but have started showing up again in small numbers. There is a one-meal-per-month contaminant advisory on White Bass in both the Starved Rock and Marseilles pools.

Crappie spp.

Average

Both black crappie and white crappie are found in the upper Illinois River. The 2024 fish community survey showed catch rates for black crappie above average in the Marseilles Pool and was the second highest catch rate out of all pools surveyed (11/hour electrofishing). The Starved Rock Pool black crappie survey produced few fish. Black crappie are stocked by IDNR – Division of Fisheries State Hatcheries annually in the upper Illinois River to supplement the population. Backwaters, side channels and main channel border areas with submerged brush are the best locations for crappie.

Channel Catfish

Excellent

Channel Catfish are abundant in the upper Illinois River. Hoop net surveys conducted in the Starved Rock and Marseilles pools in 2023 yielded a total catch of 695 Channel Catfish ranging from 12 – 28 inches weighing up to 8 pounds. Notable habitats for Channel Catfish are main channel border (area between the navigation channel and the river bank), and side channels with current. The Marseilles and Dresden dam tailwaters are notable Channel Catfish areas. There remains a do-not-eat contaminant advisory on all Channel Catfish in the Marseilles Pool and no more than 1 meal/month advisory for all Channel Catfish in the Starved Rock pool due to PCB detection in the flesh. PCB contamination in fish is a remnant of past pollution that is declining. Advisories are developed to protect infants, children, and women of child bearing age and may be overprotective to adult men and women over child bearing age. Trim the fat, particularly around the belly, and allow fat to drip off the fish when cooking to minimize exposure to PCBs.

Smallmouth Bass

Very Good

Smallmouth Bass catch rates were above average in the Starved Rock Pool. Seventeen Smallmouth Bass/hour ranging from 3 – 16 inches were collected in the 2024 Starved Rock Pool survey, which was the highest catch rate of all pools in 2024. The IDNR – Division of Fisheries State Hatcheries annually stocks Smallmouth Bass in the upper Illinois River to supplement the population. Like channel catfish, a contaminant advisory recommendation has been issued to limit consumption of all sizes of Smallmouth Bass from the Marseilles Dam upstream to one meal per week. This does not apply to the Starved Rock Pool.

Sauger

Good

Some of the best Sauger and walleye fishing is downstream of the Starved Rock Lock and Dam, but they may also be caught in deep waters of the upper pools during the day or in the shallows at night. Few Sauger or walleye are collected during day-time electrofishing surveys. The IDNR – Division of Fisheries State Hatcheries annually stock Sauger fry in the Peoria Pool and upper pools of the Illinois River.