Leaf River

Best known for catfish, walleye and crappie, smallmouth bass and northern pike sneak in too! The Rock River is a high-quality stream that drains about 10,800 square miles of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Within Illinois, there are seven low-head dams, most of which are used for hydroelectric power generation. There is a nuclear power plant located near Byron which uses river water for cooling. Within Illinois, the Rock River flows through a rural agricultural basin containing moderate-to-large communities, including Rockford, Dixon and Sterling/Rock Falls. Much of the shoreline is developed and very little is considered pristine. The river is aptly named. Much of the riverbed is comprised of glacial rock, ranging in size from gravel to small boulders. Navigation in unfamiliar stretches can be very hazardous. Shallow-draft jon boats with small outboard motors are proper fishing vessels. Some anglers use jet-drive lower units to help eliminate damage.

Redhorse species comprise the bulk of the forage. Shorthead redhorse are the most abundant, followed by golden redhorse and silver redhorse. Rosyface shiner, along with young-of-the-year of all species are also important.

Walleye move upstream during March and April and collect below the Rockton Dam and the Rockford Dam.