LaSalle and Grundy counties border this reach. There are ramps available at Ottawa, Wm. The latter also provides campgrounds with electrical hookups. The Starved Rock pool is characterized by ledges of St. Peter's sandstone, but the rest of the river has low, muddy banks. One of the best fishing stretches of the river runs from Starved Rock at Utica to Henry. Starved Rock State Park is a historic landmark and provides ramps and adequate parking area.
Camping also is available, and many anglers utilize the sea walls and other banks in the area and catch a variety of fish. Starved Rock State Park also provides accommodations at its lodge: Status of the Sport Fishery: When the first European settlers arrived the Illinois River supported one of the most productive freshwater fisheries in the world. 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 institution of the Clean Water Act in and the fish community has rebounded as well. Diversion of water from Lake Michigan into the Illinois River, levee construction and isolation of the floodplain, changes in land use and construction of locks and dams has resulted in aquatic habitat degradation. Additionally, Asian carp and other exotic species have invaded the river.
Despite these negative impacts, a diverse fish community remains in the Illinois River evidenced by the collection of 63 native fish species during annual electrofishing surveys in River Access: The Starved Rock Pool is wide with slower velocities at the lower end and swift waters upstream to, and including the Marseilles Pool. Of these sites boat access to the river is available at Starved Rock and Illini State parks. Public boat access is also available at South Ottawa and Morris.
Public boat access areas also offer good bank fishing opportunities. Additional Information: There is a 12 inch minimum length limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Marseilles Pool, where the daily creel limit is 6 fish only 3 of which can be smallmouth bass. The Starved Rock Pool has an 18 minimum length limit with a one fish daily creel limit for bass and a 10 fish daily creel limit for white, black or hybrid crappie.
