Wabash River

Description

The Wabash River has a total drainage of 33,000 square miles, of which about two-thirds is agricultural. Approximately one-fourth of its drainage comes from Illinois. The Wabash is the longest free-flowing rivers east of the Mississippi River. It flows unimpeded for over 400 miles from the Huntington Dam in Indiana to its confluence with the Ohio. The Wabash does not have commercial navigation.

The Illinois portion of the Wabash River, which is over 200 miles long, starts about 9 miles above Darwin, Illinois or about 15 miles below Terre Haute, Indiana. It continues its course south, picking up drainage from the Embarras River south of Vincennes, Indiana. At Mt. Carmel, Illinois, the White River, which drains a large portion of Indiana, enters the Wabash. At this point the Wabash nearly doubles in size and continues its course, receiving drainage from the Little Wabash near New Haven, Illinois. From this point the Wabash flows another 15 miles and ends at Wabash Island on the Ohio.

Unlike other large Illinois rivers, the Wabash River is unique in that it has no navigation channel. Depending on river stage, the depth of the water can vary from 6 inches to 50 feet and can be rather challenging to boaters not familiar with the river. There are areas on the river at lower river stages that cannot be traversed by boat. 

Fishery History

Because of its unique qualities for a large river in Illinois, the Wabash supports a diverse fishery. Fish species range from small, endangered darters to large Paddlefish. Sport species present include Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, White Bass, Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Freshwater Drum and Sauger. Common Carp, invasive Grass Carp, Bighead Carp, and Silver Carp are also present.

Angling success can occur anywhere on the river, but a few places known for their fishing include the following areas: the stretch of river around Darwin, Illinois; the area along Vincennes, Indiana; the stretch of river at Mt. Carmel, Illinois; the area at New Harmony, Indiana; the area at the mouth of the Little Wabash River near New Haven, Illinois; and the stretch of river below Maunie, Illinois. The mouth of the Wabash River above Old Shawneetown, Illinois is also a good area to check out.

The uniqueness of the Wabash River and it's diverse fishery provide the angler with many rewarding experiences that cannot be found on other Illinois waters.

Site Regulations

• Blue or Flathead Catfish: 13 inch minimum length limit; no daily limit for fish greater than or equal to 13 inches and less than 35 inches; 1 fish daily limit for fish greater than or equal to 35 inches
• Channel Catfish: 13 inch minimum length limit; no daily limit for fish greater than or equal to 13 inches and less than 28 inches; 1 fish daily limit for fish greater than or equal to 28 inches

Additional Information

Fishing License:

Officers of Illinois and Indiana will recognize and accept valid sport fishing licenses of either state when legally possessed and used on the Wabash River forming a common boundary between Illinois and Indiana. Sport fishermen shall not fish on water beyond the natural and ordinary river banks of the state in which they are not licensed to fish. Sport fishermen shall not fish from land attached to or taxed by the state in which they are not licensed or fish in tributaries, bayous, or backwaters of the state. Sport fishermen must abide by the laws of the state in which they are fishing.