Ancient map makers put a statement on their maps to justify why they had no information about the area. The statement was “There be dragons.” Time was Illinois fishermen could use such a statement might to cover what they knew about fishing the Rock River. Today it is a popular catfishing river as well as for other species like smallmouth bass, muskies and carp.
Although other species are present the September bite on the Rock River, near Rockford is for channel and flathead catfish. The channels bite all day long but the flathead action is best in later afternoon, evening and early morning. Channel catfish action seems to be best in low light of either morning or evening or on an overcast day.
There are any number of catfish locations along the 155-mile length river between the Wisconsin state line and the Mississippi River near Rock Island. Perhaps the most popular is the tailwaters below the Oregon Dam in Oregon, Ill. There is a boat launch above the dam on the eastern shore and another to the south on the western shore in Castle Rock State Park about 2 miles south of Oregon.
A free brochure on the Rock River entitled “Fishing the Rock” is available on the IDNR website (www.dnr.illinois.gov/.) Continue reading – https://dongasaway.wordpress.com/2015/09/11/catfish-of-the-rock-river/