Illinois River, LaGrange Pool Fishing
A navigation pool of the Illinois River in Peoria and Fulton counties.
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Reading the Illinois River LaGrange Pool before launching
IDNR treats LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River as its own navigation pool, reaching into Peoria and Fulton counties. IDNR sizes the pool at 38,289 acres. Beardstown sits under a mile from the map point.
Trailers go in at 10 boat ramps. Its stage is read at 2 USGS gauges. The IDNR outlook grades channel catfish excellent.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
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- Location (IDNR)The La Grange Pool of the Illinois River extends from the La Grange Lock and Dam at mile 80.2 to the tailwater of the Peoria Lock and Dam at mile 157.7 Brown, Cass, Schuyler, Mason, Fulton, Tazewell and Peoria counties border this reach.
- Description (IDNR)Lock and Dam on the Mississippi River at Alton.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR survey ratings for the Illinois River LaGrange Pool
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| 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… |
| Crappie spp. | Good | Both black crappie and white crappie are common in the La Grange Pool. Crappie catch rates in the La Grange Pool were above average in 2025 with over 9/hour of electrofishing collected. Crappie ranged from 2-12 inches…. |
| Smallmouth Bass | Fair | Smallmouth bass are collected in lower numbers in the LaGrange Pool compared to largemouth bass. Only two Smallmouth bass were collected in 2025. |
| White Bass | Very Good | The white bass is a schooling species that is present throughout the main channel of the LaGrange Pool. White bass are a cyclic species that are short lived and have high reproductive spikes during flood years. White… |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | Largemouth bass historically have been prevalent throughout the LaGrange Pool. Like other sunfish species, they have reproductive spikes during big flood years. Spring flood pulses extend water surface area into the… |
| 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 2025 fish community survey resulted in the collection of 6.2 flathead catfish/hour… |
For LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River, every fish listed has an IDNR source.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR fishery notes on the Illinois River LaGrange Pool
- IDNRWhen the first European settlers arrived the Illinois River supported an extremely productive freshwater fishery. The reversal of the Chicago River in the early 20th century brought an influx of pollution that tainted the river all the way to Peoria. Water quality has rebounded dramatically since the institution of the Clean Water Act in 1977 and the fish community has rebounded as well. Diversion of water …
IDNR fishery text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
USGS stations streaming from the Illinois River LaGrange Pool
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River At Kingston Mines, Il | 8,680 cfs, 4.64 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:45 am |
| Illinois River At Copperas Creek, Il | 4.15 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:45 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 1:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Live values come from Illinois River at Kingston Mines, IL and Illinois River at Copperas Creek, IL, near the pool.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional; site list read November 4, 2026.
Lock and dam stage readings for the Illinois River are tabled on its main page, since a gauge cannot be tied to this pool by name.
Concrete and gravel ramps on the Illinois River LaGrange Pool
- Illinois River – LaGrange Mendenhall Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Peoria County
- Illinois River – LaGrange Pekin Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Tazewell County
- Illinois River – LaGrange Copperas Creek Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Fulton County
- Illinois River – LaGrange Liverpool Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Fulton County
- Illinois River – LaGrange Havana Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Mason County
- Illinois River – LaGrange Havana IDNR Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Mason County
- Illinois River – LaGrange Bath Chute Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Mason County
- Illinois River – LaGrange Browning Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Schuyler County
- Illinois River – LaGrange Frederick Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Schuyler County
- Illinois River – LaGrange Muscooten Bay Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Poollaunch, Cass County
Ramps to know near Illinois River LaGrange Pool
- Schuy-Rush Lake Boat RampSchuy-Rush Lake, 9 miles
- Mt. Sterling Lake Boat RampMt. Sterling Lake, 13 miles
Farm fields line long stretches of LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River, so get a landowner yes before crossing.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
The Illinois River LaGrange Pool in the stocking table
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Largemouth Bass | 16,969 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Lake Sturgeon | 1,582 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Northern Pike | 10,782 | Fry |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 1,088,495 | Egg |
| 2024 | Smallmouth Bass | 17,415 | Egg |
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
The IDNR keep rules for the Illinois River LaGrange Pool
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Begin with the statewide rows for LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River; site entries override them.
Digest entries for the Illinois River LaGrange Pool
- Bowfishing is
- allowed in the river and connected waters wholly accessible by boat,
- with some exceptions as listed in the Illinois Fishing Information
- booklet.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12" minimum length limit; 6 fish daily limit with no more than three Smallmouth Bass
- Walleye, Sauger and Hybrids: 14" minimum length limit; 6 fish daily limit
Site-specific regulations on the IFishIllinois page, as printed, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
Pools above and below Illinois River LaGrange Pool
For a second option, Illinois River, Peoria Pool lies about 68 miles from here.
| Water | Distance | USGS gauges | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois River, LaGrange Pool | 2 | 10 | Channel Catfish | |
| Illinois River, Peoria Pool | 68 miles northeast | 1 | 9 | Bluegill |
| Illinois River, Alton Pool | 78 miles south | 3 | 11 | Flathead Catfish |
| Illinois River, Starved Rock Pool | 125 miles northeast | 1 | 2 | Flathead Catfish |
| Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | 132 miles northeast | 3 | 1 | Smallmouth Bass |
USGS gauges, IDNR boat ramp layer and IDNR outlook lines; read November 4, 2026.
Down the county road from Illinois River LaGrange Pool
More Illinois lakes within reach of Illinois River LaGrange Pool
- Schuy-Rush Lake9 miles
- Scripps Park Lake12 miles
- Mt. Sterling Lake14 miles
- Buckhorn Pond 118 miles
Tackle stops within a short drive of Illinois River LaGrange Pool
- Tom's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Beardstown, 7 miles
- Big River Fishbait and tackle shop, Griggsville, 21 miles
- The Boat Housemarina, Clayton, 23 miles
- Presleys Outdoorssporting goods store, Bartonville
- Carls Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Chillicothe
Beds and breakfasts for a run to Illinois River LaGrange Pool
- Beardstown6 miles
- Rushville12 miles
- Mount Sterling14 miles
- Virginia16 miles
Courthouse-county pages reaching Illinois River LaGrange Pool
- Peoria County
- Fulton County
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River
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Fish to recognise on sight at Illinois River, LaGrange Pool
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: ted_rocket, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
What gets asked about Illinois River LaGrange Pool around Illinois
Which county courthouse covers LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River?
The La Grange Pool of the Illinois River extends from the La Grange Lock and Dam at mile 80.2 to the tailwater of the Peoria Lock and Dam at mile 157.7 Brown, Cass, Schuyler, Mason, Fulton, Tazewell a Its Illinois banks lie in Peoria and Fulton counties.
Which gauge reads LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River?
The flow band pulls Illinois River at Kingston Mines, IL and Illinois River at Copperas Creek, IL from USGS.
Which ramps reach LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River?
There are 10 boat ramps, Illinois River – LaGrange Bath Chute Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange Pool among them.
Does the digest print extra rules for LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. See its site-specific rows too.
What does IDNR charge for a license good on LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Is LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River good for catfish?
IDNR rates channel catfish excellent; its sources also name smallmouth bass, white bass, largemouth bass, flathead catfish and lake sturgeon.
Which store outfits a trip on LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River?
Stop at Tom's Bait Shop, about 7 miles away,.
Can I bank fish LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River?
Ask before crossing private ground; public ramps and parks are open.
How does LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River fit into the river?
IDNR treats it as one of 6 pools of the Illinois River.
Put LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River on the calendar
Buy the Illinois license online first.