White bass (Morone chrysops) 



The white bass is a game species. The largest number of white 

 bass was taken from the river in 1974, but the greatest catch in pounds 

 was in 1968 (Table 23) . White bass populations generally increase in the 

 downstream direction, with the largest number and most pounds usually 

 being taken in Alton Pool. 



White bass spawn in shallow water where currents remove sediments 

 and expose a firm, clean bottom. Such spawning habitat is not now 

 generally available in the Illinois River. 

 Yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis) 



Yellow bass were infrequently taken, and only from Peoria, LaGrange, 

 and Alton Pools. For example, only two were taken from the entire 

 Illinois River in 1973, and none in 1974. The largest number, 40, was 

 taken in 1964: 28 from Alton Pool and 12 from LaGrange Pool. 



Yellow bass were once much more abundant in the Illinois River. 

 Forbes and Richardson (1908) reported that yellow bass were common in 

 the commercial catches at Havana, Meredosia, and Peoria, and that the 

 combined catch of yellow and white bass from the Illinois River in 1899 

 was 92,931 lbs, of which yellow bass comprised the greatest part. 

 Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) 



The rock bass usually inhabits clear, rocky streams, and its oc- 

 currence in the Illinois River is probably accidental. One rock bass 

 was taken from LaGrange Pool in 1960, one from Marseilles Pool in 1966, 

 and one from Peoria Pool in 1969. 

 Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) 



Green sunfish are considered game fish by some people, although 

 they do not grow as large as their relative, the bluegill. The green 

 sunfish was taken in the Des Plaines River in two of the four years this 

 station was sampled; whereas the bluegill was never taken from this 

 station (Tables 24 and 25) . The largest number of green sunfish was 

 generally taken in Peoria Pool. The number of green sunfish taken did 

 not increase dramatically after the high-water period 1971-1973, as did 

 the bluegill. 



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