The 155 miles of Rock River that flows through Illinois from the Wisconsin state line to near Rock Island on the Mississippi River divides into three basic habitats for fish. They are tailwaters below dams, lake or sloughs above dams, and the main channel or side channels.
A very comprehensive booklet on “Fishing the Rock” is available from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources offices in the area or on line at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov.
Below each of the seven dams, the tailwaters are accessible for fishing. The various parks, both state and local, also have boat launches and bank fishing with most having handicap piers. The water is usually rough and turbulent due to the flow over the dam. Fish congregate in the oxygen rich water.
In the channels is the deep, swift water that lacks structure other than large rocks and deep holes. Between the main channel and the side channel is that part of the river containing debris and stumps. Continue reading ….. https://dongasaway.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/summer-on-the-rock/