The Illinois River, flowing through both Arkansas and Oklahoma, is a scenic waterway that offers exceptional angling opportunities. This clear-flowing Ozark stream is a premier destination for smallmouth bass fishing, with its cobble bottoms, riffles, runs, deep pools, and abundant structure. The river begins in northwest Arkansas before flowing westward into Oklahoma, where it eventually empties into Lake Tenkiller. Known for its beauty and water clarity, the Illinois River provides diverse fishing environments, from shallow riffles to deep, boulder-filled pools that hold impressive game fish.
Learn what type of fish are at Illinois River and what's needed to catch them.
Micropterus salmoides
Micropterus dolomieu
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Salmo trutta
Sander vitreus
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Ictiobus niger
Ameiurus melas
Moxostoma duquesnei
Lepomis macrochirus
Ictalurus punctatus
Cyprinus carpio
Pylodictis olivaris
Aplodinotus grunniens
Moxostoma erythrurum
Lepomis cyanellus
Carpiodes velifer
Lepomis megalotis
Lepisosteus osseus
Hypentelium nigricans
Lepomis humilis
Lepomis microlophus
Carpiodes carpio
Moxostoma carinatum
Ambloplites rupestris
Sander canadensis
Ambloplites ariommus
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Lepisosteus platostomus
Alosa chrysochloris
Ictiobus bubalus
Micropterus punctulatus
Minytrema melanops
Morone saxatilis
Lepomis gulosus
Morone chrysops
Pomoxis annularis
Catostomus commersonii
Morone mississippiensis
Learn how to get on Illinois River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
If you are 16 or older, you must carry a valid fishing license to take or attempt to take aquatic wildlife in Arkansas, unless you are fishing in a licensed “put-and-take” pay lake. A trout permit is required to fish for trout in certain waters (tailwaters below Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Greeson or east of Highway 59 on Spavinaw Creek) or to keep trout from any Arkansas waters.
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
If a waterway can carry a small boat for six months out of the year, it is considered navigable and available for public use. This includes streambed access up to the high water mark. However, access to the waterway through private land is not guaranteed.
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Download the map around Illinois River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Illinois River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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See the best times to fish Illinois River and check the forecast before you go.
All Flow Stations
Scheduled releases and generation forecasts from the dams on Illinois River.
Illinois River · Below Tenkiller Ferry Dam · Southwestern Power Administration
No generation scheduled
Southwestern Power Administration on energy.govForecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 4:23 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
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