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Fishing Fox River: what the data says
Elgin to Yorkville: dam-to-dam smallmouth and walleye through the western suburbs. The river tops out around 10 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Fox River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is North Aurora riffles, a rock pile in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Walleye fishing at Fox River
In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Blackberry Creek confluence (Yorkville) is the standout, a inflow / creek mouth at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring walleye. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Channel Catfish fishing at Fox River
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Blackberry Creek confluence (Yorkville) is the standout, a inflow / creek mouth at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring channel catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday |
Flathead Catfish fishing at Fox River
Spring flathead catfish on Fox River hold shallow, usually 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Tailout eddy (mile 18.9): a eddy pocket around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday |
White Bass fishing at Fox River
Start shallow in spring: white bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Blackberry Creek confluence (Yorkville) is the standout, a inflow / creek mouth at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring white bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | see map |
Northern Pike fishing at Fox River
In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 3 to 10 ft in summer and finish the year down in 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Blackberry Creek confluence (Yorkville): a inflow / creek mouth around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Fox River also holds common carp (2 to 10 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- North Aurora Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Montgomery Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Glen D. Palmer Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Kimball Street Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Saint Charles Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Geneva Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Batavia Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- South Elgin Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Mooseheart Lake Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Elgin dam tailrace: creek channel, around 8 ft
- Yorkville dam: creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.6): creek channel, around 8 ft
Common questions
How deep is Fox River?
Fox River is about 10 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Fox River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, northern pike, channel catfish, flathead catfish, common carp on Fox River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Fox River?
North Aurora riffles is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Fox River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Des Plaines River · Boulder Lake · Shabbona Lake · Olson Lake · Kankakee River · Rock River
See how Fox River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Illinois · best walleye lakes in Illinois · best white bass lakes in Illinois · best northern pike lakes in Illinois
Browse all Illinois fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.