Fishing Wabash March 2010
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DNR fisheries biologists report that, regardless of the season, the Wabash River provides diverse fishing opportunities. FishingtheWabash Story and Photos flowing southwest for 500 miles through Starting south of I-70, the Wabash By Les Frankland Indiana and forming the boundary River forms a common boundary between Indiana and Illinois until it between Illinois and Indiana, o the Miami Indians it was “wah- meets the Ohio River above Old bah-shik-ki,“ meaning “pure Shawneetown. Unlike all other large Illi - and provides nearly 200 miles of white” because the clear waters nois rivers, the Wabash River has no nav - angling opportunities. flowing over the limestone river igation channel, and no commercial nav - T bed near Fort Wayne, Indiana, cre - igation. River depths can vary from 6 miles from the Huntington Dam in Indi - ated an image of a shining, white river. inches to 50 feet, creating a challenging ana to its confluence with the Ohio. The Wabash River—one of the largest outing to boaters not familiar with the Illinois’ portion of the Wabash River free-flowing rivers east of the Mississip - river. Boaters are advised to check river is more than 200 miles long and starts pi—originates near Fort Recovery, Ohio, stages as some areas cannot be traversed about 9 miles above Darwin, or 15 by boat during low-water periods. miles below Terre Haute, Indiana. It The Wabash drainage area is approx - continues its course south, picking up imately 33,000 square miles, of which drainage from the Embarras River about two-thirds is agricultural and one- south of Vincennes, Indiana. At Mt. quarter comes from Illinois. The river Carmel, the White River, draining a flows unimpeded for more than 400 large portion of Indiana, enters the Wabash. At In recent history, the harlequin that point the Wabash darter ( Etheostoma histrio ), one of nearly doubles in size and continues its the smallest fish in the Wabash course, receiving and an Illinois-endangered species, drainage from the Little is known only from the Embarras Wabash near New Haven. and lower Wabash rivers. From there, the Wabash flows 6 / Outdoor Illinois March 2010 Canada geese settle on the banks bluegill, freshwater drum and sauger. White, striped and hybrid striped of the Wabash River near Grayville Carp—common, grass, bighead and sil - bass can be found throughout the river’s ver—also are present. length but are more numerous in the (Edwards and White counties). Catfish provide the best opportuni - lower 100 miles. Look for these species A nearby, large, oxbow lake is a ties for the angler and can be found from spring through early summer in the popular fishing destination. throughout the river’s entire length. lower river around the numerous sand - Smallmouth bass are found in the bars and fast-water riffle areas. another 15 miles, ending at Wabash upper 100 miles of the river and spot - Sauger can be found throughout the Island on the Ohio River. ted bass throughout its length. Late river’s entire length. Those same sand - Because of its unique qualities for a summer and fall, when river levels are bars and fast-water riffles hold sauger large Illinois river, the Wabash sup - low and the water clarity is improved, ports a diverse fishery. Fish species are the best time to seek black bass. range from small, endangered darters to large paddlefish. Sport species pre - Among the fish found in the Wabash sent include blue cat, channel cat, flat - River are paddlefish (below, held by head cat, white bass, black bass, Mack Sitzes, fisheries technician) striped bass, hybrid striped bass, small - mouth bass, spotted bass, largemouth and blue cats (right, held by Steve bass, white crappie, black crappie, Jenkins, fisheries biologist). March 2010 Outdoor Illinois / 7 Boundary river fishing fficers of Illinois and Indiana will Orecognize and accept valid sport fishing licenses of either state when legally possessed and used on the Wabash River forming a common boundary between Illinois and Indiana. Anglers shall not fish on water beyond the natural and ordinary river banks of the state in which they are not licensed to fish. Anglers shall not fish from land attached to or taxed by the state in which they are not licensed or fish in tributaries, bayous or backwaters of that state. Anglers must abide by the laws of the state in which they are fishing. Although not as common as their near Vincennes and New Harmony. cousin the sauger, walleye are Boat access to the river can be found at the public boat ramps on the Wabash River access a prized sport fish and present in Illinois and Indiana sides of the areas in Illinois the Wabash River. Wabash. Public ramps on the Illinois side can be found at Hutsonville, West - Darwin: Boaters may access the river from late February through early April. port, St. Francisville, Mt Carmel, at the end of Franklin Street in Dawin from the ramp a farmer uses to ferry Better fishing opportunities for large - Grayville, Brown’s Pond near Maunie equipment across the river. mouth bass, crappie and bluegill are in and New Haven via a 2-mile stretch of Hutsonville: South of the Route 154 the oxbow lakes along the river. the Little Wabash River (see sidebar). bridge at Cherry and South Water Formed when the river cut off large The uniqueness of the Wabash River Streets are a paved boat ramp, parking bends, these oxbows serve as the and its diverse fishery will provide the lot, picnic table and shelter. St. Francisville: This access site has boundary between Indiana and Illinois. angler with many rewarding experi - a paved boat ramp, dock, parking, pic - A large oxbow lake, accessible to the ences that cannot be found on other nic tables, benches, shelter and public, can be found at Grayville. The Illinois waters. portable restrooms. paved boat ramp and parking area are Mt. Carmel: Located south of 5th managed by the City of Grayville. One of the largest islands in the Street, this access area has a paved, Although angling success can occur double boat ramp and gravel parking Wabash, Mink Island, near lot. anywhere on the river, a few stretches Maunie in White County, provides Grayville City Access Site and are especially well-known. Identified by Memorial Park: These paved boat Illinois locations are the river stretches a diverse fisheries habitat. ramps and parking areas are managed near Mt. Carmel, Maunie and New by the City of Grayville and provide Haven. Indiana reaches include areas access to the cut-off dead river. Direct access to the Wabash is located under the Interstate 64 bridge. eall Woods State Natural Area, B located on the banks of the Wabash River in southeastern Illinois, has one of the few remaining tracts of relatively virgin timber east of the Mis - sissippi River. Besides hiking, Beall Woods offers camping, picnicking, fishing—and a chance to marvel at trees that are 120 feet high and more than 3 feet in diameter. For further information, write Beall Woods State Natural Area, 9285 Beall Woods Ave., Mount Carmel, IL 62863, phone (618) 298-2442 or visit dnr. state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r5/ beall.htm. 8 / Outdoor Illinois March 2010.