Illinois River info

[Yellcounty]

Interested in trip info about the Illinois river (put in, take out, approximate distance/times). Specifically between the Hwy. 412 bridge & Siloam Springs. Wanting a place close to home, easy for a family paddle. Any information is appreciated.

[RandyJ]

I've never boated that section you describe, but have heard that the pools are LONG and SLOW up there. Section I'm most familiar with is down closer to Tahlequah on Highway 10 called Elephant Head loop. It's a little long (11-12 miles), but shuttle is so short and easy the time evens out. Some pools on that section, too, but water moves at a decent pace. Put-in is at No-Head Hollow. Drop the boat and people there, drive over the hill less than 2 miles to the take-out at Echota access, then walk/jog/hitchhike back to your boat and people. One of the best river mile-to-shuttle ratios anywhere.

Don't know how close it's monitored, but you're supposed to get a day trip sticker ($2) from Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission. OSRC office is right there near take-out access, and I think you can pick up stickers at any of the outfitters, too.

70 and sunshine on Saturday, but 'twill be windy. Wherever you end up, enjoy!

[Half Ton]

If your not a rabid fast pace paddler then the Illinois from hwy 16 to oklahoma is all good. The pools aren't really that long (as compared to lower Big Piney, mid-lower buffalo, etc.) and there is a decent flow.

There is an easy way to run it in four mile sections if you prefer.

hwy 16 to Robinson springs road bridge - 4 mile

Robinson springs road to the game and fish access (pass under 412 twice) put in at the bridge and take out soon after your second pass under 412. - 4 mile

game and fish access to hwy 16 - 4 mile

hwy 16 to fishers ford - 4 mile

fishers ford to hwy 59 - 4 mile. (hwy 59 is an interesting take out.....and has a rated pg-13/R shuttle.


What an awesome river for bass fishing !

[Yellcounty]

Good information. Have wondered about the Robinson Springs road bridge before, wasn't sure if it was floatable (flow, debris, etc).

Thanks for the help.

[Half Ton]

The only janky section on the river from robinson road to the AGFC take out that i have seen is north of 412.

There is a lot of streambank erosion on the backside of a bermudagrass sod farm and the river is changing as a result. Part of the changes include some river splits with 20ft tall logjams. I was impressed with the size of the logjams and the amount of trash stuck in them.

When I went the river was a litte over 4 ft and they could all be navigated around, of course it was better to park the boat on the gravel bars and fish those snag holes before floating through them.