Mackinaw River Fishing Spot

• Elevation: 631'
• Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/10/09 05:01 PM
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The Mackinaw River, also called "Mackinac River", is a river located in the U.S. state of Illinois. It flows through what was once the Grande Prairie region of Central Illinois. This region is now a zone of intensive crop farming, and high-productivity farming techniques have extensively altered the river from its natural state. The headwaters of the river are located near Sibley, Illinois, in western Ford County. Flowing west through McLean County, the Mackinaw River provides drainage to part of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. The Mackinaw River then flows west through Woodford County before turning southwest and draining much of Tazewell County. The river's course describes several bends and meanders typical of alluvial rivers before flowing northwards into the Illinois River just south of Pekin, Illinois. Significant portions of the Mackinaw River and some of its tributaries are considered outstanding aquatic resources in Illinois. The Mackinaw River is characterized by a series of pools and fast riffles flowing over predominantly sand and gravel substrate and by banks which are largely forested. Water quality is high and mussel populations are diverse. Heartleaf plantain, an endangered plant in Illinois, is found here. This species occurs in gravelly streambeds and groundwater seeps and springs adjacent to streams. Lake Eureka Park is part of the Mackinaw River Watershed, a 1,138 square mile land community that covers parts of Woodford, Tazewell, McLean, Ford, Livingston and Mason counties. The centerpiece of the watershed is the Mackinaw River (named from the Ojibway meaning "turtle"). The Mackinaw runs 130 miles through largely rural landscape and is considered one of "the finest examples of a Prairie stream in Illinois".

The Mackinaw River, also called "Mackinac River", is a river located in the U.S. state of Illinois. It flows through what was once the Grande Prairie region of Central Illinois. This region is now a zone of intensive crop farming, and high-productivity farming techniques have extensively altered the river from its natural state.