Anchorage Reviews | Buckhorn Island

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Buckhorn Island

Location: Illinois River
Mile Marker: 46.5
Lat / Lon: N 39° 30.000' / W 090° 35.400'
Depth: 5-6 ft.
Description: just out of channel at north end, watch for shoaling
DISCLAIMER: Before committing to an anchorage, you should confirm that the location is not governed by a regulation that may conflict with your plans. An increasing number of states and municipalities are enacting laws that define where and how long you may anchor.

4.00

(4)

4.00 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.33

Good, Mud, Sand

Wind Protection:

4.00

Exposed NE and wakes

Current Flow:

3.33

Wake Protection:

3.33

Exposed NE and wakes

Scenic Beauty:

4.33

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

1.00

Pet Friendly:

1.00

Cell Service:

2.00

Review for Buckhorn Island

Reviewed by: Cody Howdeshell, EASTERN STAR, on Dec 19, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 6.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Spent the night on a 60' trawler with 6' draft. We found plenty of water pretty much right up about 20' from the riverbank along the main bank. Don't get close to the Northern tip of the island as it shallows up. Bottom is soft mud so won't damage much.

We pushed our bow up on the bank and tied a line to a tree for the night. Plenty of barge traffic.

If you draw a line due N from the Northern tip of the Island, that part of the river bank was deep right up to 20'-15' from the waters edge.

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Review for Buckhorn Island

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

May 13. We anchored at the upstream end of the island as the downstream looked to be too filled in. We did not run down behind the island, rather staying at the mouth of the island the cut. A beautiful, quiet spot on a calm night.

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Review for Buckhorn Island

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac, Janthina, on Sep 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

2

Pocket Anchorage on the downstream end of the Island. Turn towards LDB and go back up towards downstream tip of the island in 8' (normal pool) within 50' of the bank. Consider stern anchor.

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Review for Buckhorn Island

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac, Janthina, on Sep 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

2

Nice anchorage at the upstream end of Buckhorn Island RDB. Enter as if you are going to go down the channel between the shore and the island for 6' normal pool depth with room to swing on one anchor near the upstream tip of the island for one or two boats with about 200' of channel width. Very good wind protection from the south around to the northwest.

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