Illinois River
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Illinois River Fishing Reports
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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Seth Hornsby
Bronze Ambassador
4/1/25
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Hard Jerkbaits
Structure
River Channels
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
52°
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Docks
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
55°
Did a tournament on the Des Plaines/Kankakee/Illinois river the other day. We got 7th out of 40 boats and got a limit and culled 4 times. Our bag was 9.49 and big bass was 2.74. It was a good tourney and caught a lot of fish including a drum. The temperature was 55.7 and the bass were stuck on structure both deep and shallow. We got them under docks flipping and hopping.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Summer
Technique
Crankbaits 0-6'
Structure
Boulders
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
81°
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Summer
Technique
Drop Shot
Structure
Pilings
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
82°
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Winter
Technique
Vertical Jigging 10-19'
Structure
Points
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
42°
Had to fight for them today, but once I found them it was domination. It’s cold out and the river is high. That’s not going to stop me from one-upping Mother Nature. Bass and walleyes were all 7-10 feet deep off of points relating to baitfish. I’ve told you all before “find the bait-find the fish,” and find the fish I did! It’s all about vertical jigging right now. Just like Usher used to sing “nice and slow, that’s the tempo.” Get on top of em and work the bait slow. The FF minnow was a finesse touch that sealed the deal. Like Tony Danza my Damiki Vault showed a few young walleyes “who’s the boss.” Great day on the water and I am damn proud to be an American. See you in the woods or on the water! -GrundyBassman
Species
Common CarpSeason
Summer
Technique
Bobbers
Structure
River Channels
Forage
Insects
White bread also works
Species
White BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Topwater Walking
Structure
Shad
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
83°
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Soft Jerkbaits
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Minnows
Was doing a little ultralight fishing at a local pond then moved to the river. Was casting around the bank as well as by some fountains towards the middle of the pond. Ended up having a great day with 10 fish caught in about an hour.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Winter
Technique
Finesse Jigs
Structure
Points
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
48°
3 lber on the finesse jig
