Boating suggestions for Peoria, IL area

[Jono69]

Good afternoon everyone. I'm searching for some new waters to concur and was considering heading down to the Illinois river in the Northern Peoria, IL area. Anyone have any experience in this area? Any suggestions? Looking for a good area to take my 20ft bowrider for some cruising, skiing, and possibly camping. It would be nice to find a decent island or sand bar to pull up on and hangout with some friends and other boats. A fairly decent and convenient ramp to use would be a plus as well. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance.

 

[AlmostFamous]

Re: Boating suggestions for Peoria, IL area

I live and boat in Peoria and also have a 20ft BR. Honestly, I think the river is much nicer up north, IE Hennepin to Starved Rock area. Threre are definitely no sand bars down here.

If you want to see the local area and are going to drive down then launch, I suggest putting in at detweiller marina in Peoria. There is a $5 dollar launch fee, but it's a nice deep marina and you are very close to the main channel. The main hangout is called "Paradise or Paradice cove" that is just north of the I-74 bridge, very close to the Paradice casino. Also, just north of Chillicothe (which is 5-10 minutes north of Peoria) there is a nice beach area by the railroad bridge. You'll see lots of boats in either location on a nice day.

Keep in mind, the river is very wide in areas just north of Peoria, but the water is VERY shallow, like 3-4 feet once you leave the main channel. So, my advice is to stick close to the main channel!

 

[Jono69]

Re: Boating suggestions for Peoria, IL area

Thank you AlmostFamous, just the kind of advice I was looking for! I'd like to go down there and check it out. I have some friends down there. And the Hennepin-Starved Rock area is even closer for me, any suggestions for that area, same criteria?

 

[TimBobCom]

Re: Boating suggestions for Peoria, IL area

I am not familiar with the area so I can't offer any specific help, but as a fellow river boater, here is a link you may be interested in:

http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/NIC2/ilwwcharts.cfm

This is the index of the Illinois River navigation charts from the Army Corps of Engineers. This shows where the channel should be as well as approximate locations of all bouys and many underwater obstructions. Good to study before you head out and keep on hand with you when you are out there.

I will say that the Illinois River is usually a beautiful river to boat on, and I have only been on the last 25 miles of the river near it's confluence with the Mississippi.

 

[Jono69]

Re: Boating suggestions for Peoria, IL area

Thanks Tim! I couldn't get that link to work but found my way there after a brief google search. I will definitely be studying some charts! Great info!

 

[AlmostFamous]

Re: Boating suggestions for Peoria, IL area

Thank you AlmostFamous, just the kind of advice I was looking for! I'd like to go down there and check it out. I have some friends down there. And the Hennepin-Starved Rock area is even closer for me, any suggestions for that area, same criteria?

Def do the Starved Rock area, go through the locks etc. It's a very scenic part of the river. I wish I could remember more about specific beaches, ramps etc, but it's been a couple years since I've been up there. Spend some time looking at that part of the area on Google Earth, it'll give you an idea for the lay of the land. Also, check out Starved Rock's state website.

IMO, I would absolutely hit up Starved Rock before making a trip to Peoria.