Cache River Fishing Spot

• Elevation: 350'
• Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/09/09 04:49 PM
• Ask about Cache River in our Fishing Forums

The Cache River is located in southernmost Illinois, in a region sometimes called Little Egypt. Located at the convergence of four major physiographic regions, the river is part of the largest complex of wetlands in Illinois. The Cache River wetlands are the northernmost cypress/tupelo swamp in the United States, and provide habitat for over 50 threatened and endangered species. In 1996, the Cache was designated a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention. A significant portion of the Cache River wetlands are protected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1990, covers 14,000 acres (57 km²) of aquatic and riparian habitat, and is eventually planned to expand to 35,509 acres (144 km²). The Illinois Department of Natural Resources protects another 14,314 acres (57.9 km²) through the Cache State Natural Area. The Lower Cache River, a habitat that encompasses much of these landholdings, has been listed as a U.S. Swimming under or on the tea-colored waters of the Cache are numerous fish, amphibians and reptiles. Channel catfish, crappie, bass and bluegill are prized by area fishermen. Less sought after but true swamp fish include the bowfin, needlenose gar, grass pickerel and yellow bullhead catfish. Pygmy sunfish and cypress minnows are two state-endangered fish found only in wetlands dominated by forested swamps.

The Cache River is located in southernmost Illinois, in a region sometimes called Little Egypt. Located at the convergence of four major physiographic regions, the river is part of the largest complex of wetlands in Illinois. The Cache River wetlands are the northernmost cypress/tupelo swamp in the United States, and provide habitat for over 50 threatened and endangered species. In 1996, the Cache was designated a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention.