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The Narrows

The Narrows is a lake in Illinois, near Fulton County.

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The Narrows Fishing Weather

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Fish species in The Narrows

Official stocking history

Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.

The Narrows is a lake in Fulton County, Illinois. The Narrows covers about 166 acres and reaches a recorded 24 feet.

What to Expect at The Narrows

The Narrows is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Useful Baits at The Narrows

Fish reported from The Narrows include black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and white bass. Stocking records for The Narrows also list alligator gar and northern pike, though that does not mean those fish will be easy to catch on every trip.

Crappie, Perch and Sunfish

For panfish at The Narrows, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, redear or other sunfish.

Walleye and Open-Water Fish

For roaming fish at The Narrows, follow shad with a spoon, jig or small crankbait for white bass.

Muskellunge and Pike

For large predators at The Narrows, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Catfish, Bullheads and Carp

For bottom fishing at The Narrows, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish.

Other Reported Fish

Other choices at The Narrows include these plans: use heavy tackle and a large natural bait where alligator gar roam.

A Simple Fishing Plan for The Narrows

On a first trip to The Narrows, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

When to Fish The Narrows

Spring at The Narrows is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at The Narrows can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

Check the evidence

Sources and what they establish

Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.

  • Alligator Gar — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Black Crappie — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Bluegill — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Channel Catfish — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Northern Pike — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • White Bass — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

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