Illinois river 3-15

Just got back from the river. Put in at Barto it's ice free, the river is low,water temp is 36-39. Fished Starved Rock to Hennipen saw three fish caught.The W.A.T. I think? had a small tourney out of Barto we left before it was over but not alot of fish. Also the Chicago Sun-Times says the Spring Valley Boat Club (across the river from Barto has a free launch during March
Paul

Fished illinois river from bartos saw 4 fish caught all day and the leader of the wat tourn. was at 10lbs. There were 34 teams and 90% had only caught 1 or even no fish. Marked most fish suspending.
Water temp is still cold but with the upcoming weather fish should be getting active. Good Luck.

[Fitz1131]

Fished the Illinois river Starved Rock area Saturday and Sunday. Water levels very low. Center channel at 16' and use care using the eastern most ramp in the state park due to backing off concrete. One carp on Saturday, though friends 3 year old enjoyed reeling it in. 1 sauger and 1 3# sheephead on Sunday on plain orange 3/8 jig/minnow. Surface temps 42-43. No much action noticed in the other boats. Just nice to get out and try the new kicker motor.

Fitz

There was 34 boats in the WAT only 1 boat had no fish there was over 160 fish caught. Big fish was 4.13

The W.A.T. out of Bellevue,IA held 2-day, 2-man tournament, with 34 teams competing. 182 saugers were caught with a 100% sucessful release to the Illinois DNR. The winning team was Rob & Colleen Lampman from DeSoto, WI. Total catch was 16.85lbs. for a payday of $1370.00. The event was extremely sucessful with only one team with no catch due to a family emergency which did not allow them to compete. The W.A.T. is a River Circuit that holds 4 tournaments and a season championship. Our next event is April 5-6 at Genoa,WI.