Fishing With Generation?

[Basketbreaker]

I was wondering whats everyones experience with fishing when the water is generating? I generally try to make a day trip out of the lower illinois since it is a bit of a drive, but have noticed they have been generating consistently during the middle of the day and making it mostly not worth my time.

Mike

[JCWolfe]

Limited spots to fish when they're generating. I don't go. Try another day. Unscheduled generations are what sucks because you don't know when they happen, I will say that has happened in awhile to me.

[Nick Williams]

Depends on how much they're generating, I don't mind one unit as it definitely gives you some current. Much more than that however and you will struggle to wade and/or flyfish.

[JCWolfe]

Depends on how much they're generating, I don't mind one unit as it definitely gives you some current. Much more than that however and you will struggle to wade and/or flyfish.

I've been out when the were running "one" unit, depends on the actual cfs release if you can get out and wade fish. Time of year was a big factor in that we did good, it was cold weather, Now, in the heat, I don't know how good you would do.

[Nick Williams]

I've been out when the were running "one" unit, depends on the actual cfs release if you can get out and wade fish. Time of year was a big factor in that we did good, it was cold weather, Now, in the heat, I don't know how good you would do.

Yeah, I always feel like I do better when it's cold as well. The river is still pretty cold with how hot the weather has been. When they have some water running through it just helps the temperature and oxygen levels rise.

[OKFlyFisher44]

I have wade fished it a few times under generation and its definitely do-able, depending on where you are. I have seen the whole river under 1 unit from my drift boat and there are tons of places to get out and wade fish if you have a boat/kayak. As far as wade access, its hit and miss. Up by the dam, if you stay around the islands, you can find some water to fish. Same thing with Watts, walk downstream to the island on river left and there is some water there to wade fish. The gravel pit area is too deep and fast to fish safely I would say. There is a ton of water around and below Marvals that you could wade fish but you will have to do some hiking. On the higher water, use lots of weight to get your bugs down. I would toss worms or eggs as a lead fly and then drop a midge or mayfly bug off it.

The river is pretty sweet under 1 unit but the fishing is kinda sketchy which puzzles me. I would think after the flows stablize, the fish would settle in and start feeding again especially with the cold oxygenated water and all the food being washed into the river. Hard to say, every tailwater is different.