Hey fellas,

When we took our family photo last fall, we walked down by a nearby dam that sits on a nearby river. While we were getting the shot set up... I couldn't help but notice the nice looking eddies and rocky bottom. I have heard of guys catching smallmouth in the rivers in Illinois, but I've never spent much time in them. I'm thinking I better change that this year. 

 

Is there a good time to fish below the dam?

 

Guys have pulled walleye and sauger out of here too, and that would be fun as well, but in terms of smallmouth movement, what time of the year would they typically move up towards the bottom of that dam?

 

Is it similar to them moving up into the creeks that empty into the river?

 

Any insight here would be appreciated - thanks!  

Anytime is good time to fish at a dam. Even better when it’s generating and/or spilling over the top 

I second @TnRiver46 however they are usually spots hit very hard. If you have a run of fish it is a great time as well.

I’m very familiar with Northern Illinois rivers. THE most heavily fished spots are always just below the dams. They are also THE most dangerous. You can catch pretty much every species in the river below a dam at most times of the year. During the heat of the summer, right below a dam has the most oxygen which makes it very attractive to fish. Knowledgeable fishermen will usually skip the dams and find less pressured water downstream. Above the dams, the water quality is the poorest, lots of silt, and low oxygen levels. 
Check out the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. Dedicated river fishermen who are happy to share their knowledge of Illinois rivers with other smallmouth addicts. 

"Is there a good time to fish below the dam?"

 

Yes! Anytime!

 

Dams are one of the most consistent locations I fish! 

Oh wow thank you guys - I had no idea - I thought there was a time of the year where bass and/or walleye "pushed up towards the dams" in a river system. 

 

This is why I ask questions. 

 

So @Scott F I will check out the Smallmouth Alliance for sure! When you fish a river... let's say it's a brand-new-to-you river... do you start by the dam and then work your way downstream, looking for likely holding areas? But not waste time up above a dam fishing the back side of the pool before it drops?

 

This is interesting, because in creeks I have had some good luck fishing the deepest (back) parts of pools, which is similar, but in creeks they usually spill over into riffles - they don't fall completely off a dam like the river situation we mentioned above. 

 

Do you think this makes a difference?

 

Thanks all, much appreciated! 

I would start below the dam. 

I love fishing dams. Wade around low heads all the time. I can catch em all year here in Missouri. Hair jigs or weightless fluke right now is the ticket . Right now I fish the face of the dam deepest water

Hey @bowhunter63 thanks for the tip! Whereabouts in Missouri do you fish? I'm moving to Arkansas in the next year or so - leaving Illinois. Just curious, trying to get a feel for the waters down south. Thanks!

James River here in Springfield,Missouri and Arkansas are full of Smallie water 

20 hours ago, bowhunter63 said:

James River here in Springfield,Missouri and Arkansas are full of Smallie water 

 

Awesome - looking forward to exploring - thanks!