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Fishing Illinois River (Oklahoma): what the data says
Watts to Tahlequah: Oklahoma's scenic float river. Neosho smallmouth in the gravel runs. The river tops out around 8 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 Illinois River (Oklahoma)
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Riffle & run (mile 38.4): a rock pile around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Spotted Bass fishing at Illinois River (Oklahoma)
Start shallow in spring: spotted bass sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 26.7): a current seam around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot over brush or a underspin + fluke (schoolers) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig on gravel points, Shaky head |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot over brush, Underspin + fluke (schoolers) |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Walking topwater, Underspin |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Damiki/hover rig, Jigging spoon |
Channel Catfish fishing at Illinois River (Oklahoma)
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 4.6): a creek channel around 6 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Common Carp fishing at Illinois River (Oklahoma)
Spring common carp on Illinois River (Oklahoma) hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Tailout eddy (mile 2.5): a eddy pocket around 4 ft that scores prime in winter. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Frances Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.3): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 22.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 24.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 30.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 32.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 34.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Illinois River (Oklahoma)?
Illinois River (Oklahoma) is about 8 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 Illinois River (Oklahoma)?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, common carp, spotted bass on Illinois River (Oklahoma).
Where is the best fishing spot on Illinois River (Oklahoma)?
Riffle & run (mile 38.4) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 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 Illinois River (Oklahoma)?
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
Lake Eucha · Spavinaw Lake · Lake Hudson (Markham Ferry) · Greenleaf Lake · Grand Lake 'O' the Cherokees · Claremore Lake
See how Illinois River (Oklahoma) stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Oklahoma · best channel catfish lakes in Oklahoma
Browse all Oklahoma fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.