boatguy94

Want to boat Illinois River at Peoria, places to stay, things to do, where to boat would be helpfull! Thanks

Knot 4 Me

If you are wanting to leave your boat in the water then contact Eastport Marina for a transient slip.
http://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/index.cfm?pageID=29
For lodging, there is the Stoney Creek Inn right next to Eastport http://www.stoneycreekinn.com/hotel/...FaRdTAodCQm7BA
or you can stay just down the road at Paradice. http://www.paradicecasino.com/
There is a launch at Eastport and right next to Stoney Creek Inn. There is a great oyster bar/restaurant right next to Stoney Creek called Jonah's. http://www.jonahsseafood.com/
You can go South down the river under the Rt. 74 bridge to the downtown area. They have courtesy docks where you can tie up and walk up to the landing. http://www.peoriariverfront.com/index.php?section=1

As for boating, unless you want to lock through at Peoria you pretty much have to run North. You can run about 70 miles before you hit the next lock at Starved Rock. There is a little marina at Henry that you can pull in to and eat/drink outdoors. http://marinas.com/view/marina/753_H..._United_States
Just South of the bridge at Henry there is an old gravel pit that you will see boats anchored/rafted off in to get out of the current. The entrance is shallow so trim up and favor the right side going in. Once in it is about 6 feet deep.

boatguy94

Thanks for the info! Boat on the Mississippi a little over an hour from Peoria, need a change of scenery.

Beachbum28

Thanks for posting. I want to make the run from Spring Valley to Peoria and back, with an over night stay. Work has brought me to Peoria for the week. I just looked at all of the places listed. The docks look to be in very good condition at Westport. The hotel (Stoney Creek) looks to be getting some work done on the inside, there were several contractor trucks and trailers out front. Docks, hotel, launch, and restraunt are all with in a 2-3 min walk.

Knot 4 Me

Do note that the public ramp next to Stoney Creek is in very shallow water and the drop-off dock is not very long. If you slip at Eastport I am sure you can launch there. They have more water at their ramp but it is steeper so the transition from the lot to the ramp is abrupt. If you have a longer trailer or a tailer with low hanging x-members you might drag the concrete backing in and pulling out. If you are not slipping at Eastport I'm not sure what their policy is on launching at their facility. I always lanch across the river on the Peoria side at Detwiller Park. It is just a bit South of Eastport on the West side of the river.

Regardless of where you launch, make sure you follow the marked cuts (Eastport) or head straight out (Detwiller) from the ramp to the channel. That area of the river is very wide and is called Peoria Lake. In that area if you get outside the channel markers even a little bit you will quickly find yourself in 1 1/2 - 2 feet of water (when the river is at normal stage). The bottom is full of mucky silt. Once in the channel pay close attention to the markers. Do not stray!! If you head North then once you get up towards Chillicothe the river narrows back to its normal width and the channel markers are easier to pick out.

Edit: If you launch at the public ramp next to Stoney Creek hug the breakwater at Eastport until you get to Eastport's marked cut out to the channel.

Drivehard

THIS!

I can't stress this enough. The river is well over a mile wide here...and it looks like you could just zip around, but you MUST follow the winding channel through this area, or you will be in the mud! I swear, just 3 foot outside the markers, and you are turning up mud! Follow the markers!

Wasted Income

Eastport Marina allows anyone to launch there for $5. That is where I launch every weekend.

BUT.....

SHHHHHHHHHHHH, keep it a secret so the rookies stay at the public ramp

Rbesola

That sounds like some pricey fill dirt. That'll make getting in and out better though.