Coaltown Slough near Coal Valley: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Henry County, Illinois, is where Coaltown Slough sits. It lies 581 feet above sea level. About 15 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The nearest town is Coal Valley, 2.7 miles away. After that come East Moline at 2.7 miles and Carbon Cliff at 3.2 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Coaltown Slough

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The mouth fishes hardest when the run is at its strongest. Reed and marsh margins hold fish through the moving hours. Records held for Henry County cover johnny darter, green sunfish, common carp, bluegill and white sucker. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Coaltown Slough gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 75°F in July and bottom out at 21°F in January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Break-up comes around mid March, and the run that follows is short and strong. Climate figures give an open season running mid March to mid December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. It holds true on Coaltown Slough more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Greenwood Slough, 0.3 miles away. Ask locally about Coaltown Slough if anything is unclear.