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Fishing Mackinaw River: what the data says
Congerville to the Illinois River mouth. a wild, sandy-run smallmouth stream. 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 Mackinaw River
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 Gravel riffles near Mackinaw: a rock pile around 4 ft that scores prime 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 | 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 |
Channel Catfish fishing at Mackinaw River
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish 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. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6), a creek channel in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish 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 |
Rock Bass fishing at Mackinaw River
In spring, rock 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. The spot to know is Gravel riffles near Mackinaw, a rock pile in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for rock bass in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. Tie on a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Flathead Catfish fishing at Mackinaw River
Start shallow in spring: flathead catfish 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 Tailout eddy (mile 5.6): a eddy pocket around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Longnose Gar fishing at Mackinaw River
In spring, longnose gar run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 1 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for fall longnose gar. Best bite is midday and the evening. Tie on a rope lure or a small white spinner and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Rope lure (hookless nylon), Inline spinner (slow) |
| Summer | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Rope lure, Small white spinner |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Rope lure, Small jerkbait (pause-heavy) |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Le Baube Lake Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Heritage Lake Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Mitchell Lake Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 3.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 15.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 20.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 27.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 30.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 33.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Mackinaw River?
Mackinaw River 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 Mackinaw River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, longnose gar, rock bass on Mackinaw River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Mackinaw River?
Gravel riffles near Mackinaw is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 4 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 Mackinaw 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
Illinois River · Sangamon River · Dawson Lake · Anderson Lake · Lake Springfield · Vermont Lake
See how Mackinaw River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Illinois · best channel catfish lakes in Illinois · best flathead catfish lakes in Illinois
Browse all Illinois fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.