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This portion of the Mississippi River is at Granite City, Il.
The Photo on the left shows the sand bar covered with snow. As you see it's never too cold to fish. If water levels are lower the sand bar will be present and provide great river access. Often people will fish near this spillway. Usually several people with hugh poles and treble hooks will try to snag fish. Most of the time upstream of the spillway will not be as productive of fishing area.
The old Chain of Rocks Bridge is just upstream of the spillway. Illinois Dept. of Conservation has built a bike trail that goes across the bridge. The bridge design caused too many accidents due to the turn in it. Thus, it was closed many years ago. Also, the last scene of the movie, Escape from New York, was filmed on this bridge.
It seems like over the last few years this place has turned into a rock and arrow head hunting ground. People will walk all around the waters edge scraping rocks hoping to find an indian arrow head. Some people are searching for precious stones to polish and make jewelry.
One of the most interesting fish to snag here is the paddlefish. Sometimes known as a spoonbill catfish. They can only be snagged because they feed on mirco organisms(zooplankton and insect larvae). Thus, a worm or lure is useless. This fish is a real treasure. Not only providing good meat but the eggs go for quite a price. You might pay up to $100.00 for a 7oz can of caviar.
Directions: Access Route 3 South from 270. At the first stop light make a right(west). Travel across the Hardford Cannel and pass the city refuse dept. Take the gravel road from there.
Fishing Report:
5/4/02: Fished from 11:00-2:00pm Several sturgeon, 10 white pearch and a 5 lb carp all on worms. Water was extremely high and no sand bar showing.
Sept-Oct. 2001: This month seemed very good for sturgeon. They like to take nightcrawlers.
2/15/02 Fished for about 3 hours in the afternoon with worms. Caught only 2 shad about 10" long.