Bass anglers headed to Illinois River

Despite high water, bass anglers will hit the Illinois River for two tournaments in the Peoria area.

First up Saturday is an Illinois River Team Trail event out of Detweiller Marina in Peoria. Galen Hanson and Tim Durdel won the first tourney on May 2 with a five-fish limit of 13.14 pounds — one of seven limits that day. Limits could be harder to find Saturday according to organizer Brent Werries, who can be reached at (309) 219-4019.

“We went out Tuesday and it seemed like the sauger were biting good but the bass were slow,” Werries said.

On Sunday the American Bass Anglers Association launches out of Spindler Marina in East Peoria.

Seeing bass tournaments return is welcome proof that there are more than Asian carp swimming in the Illinois River.