Fishing in Whiteside County, Illinois
County seat: Morrison. Population 55,691.
- 3lake pages
- 14IDNR launches
- 6river pages
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The basics of fishing Whiteside County
Morrison serves as seat of Whiteside County, a county of 55,691 people by the 2020 Census. A state line runs down Mississippi River, Mississippi River, Pool 13 and Mississippi River, Pool 14.
Lake Carlton leads the 3 lake guides inside the county by surface acres. Trailer anglers can pick from 14 public launches on the IDNR layers. IDNR maps 1 fishing pier in the county for walk-up fishing. The IDNR stocking table lists 15 stocking rows for waters in the county from 2021 to 2026.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Pin map of the fishing spots in Whiteside County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes and reservoirs inside Whiteside County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Carlton | 70 | 24 ft | lake | 1 | muskellunge, redear sunfish, saugeye |
| Lake Carlton Silt Basin | 8 | 11 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill |
| Centennial Park Lake | 7 | lake | 2 | rainbow trout |
The shortest drives from Morrison to lake guides beyond Whiteside County follow.
| Lake | From Morrison | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Creek Mill Pond | 32 miles east | 3 | 6 ft | pond | 0 | redear sunfish, largemouth bass, bluegill |
| Hennepin Canal | 32 miles southeast | 925 | lake | 1 | bluegill, channel catfish, rainbow trout | |
| Johnson Sauk Trail Lake | 34 miles south | 23 ft | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, muskellunge, bluegill | |
| Hanover Lake | 34 miles northwest | 16 | 23 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish |
| Mirror Lake (MFWA) | 35 miles south | 5 | lake | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass | |
| Osprey Lake (MFWA) | 35 miles south | 14 | lake | 1 | redear sunfish, largemouth bass, bluegill |
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. Launch counts from the IDNR map and 2019 inventory; acres left blank where the IDNR page text disagrees with its listing.
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Inside 50 miles of Morrison, largemouth bass appears on more lake pages than any other fish.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings, species named on IFishIllinois pages, the IDNR stocking table and state records, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a survey of fish numbers.
River pages filed under Whiteside County
- Rock River7 pool pages, 23 IDNR-mapped ramps, 9 USGS gauges
- Mississippi River15 pool pages, 58 IDNR-mapped ramps, 4 USGS gauges, shared with Iowa and Missouri
- Rock River, Sterling Poolpool of the Rock River, IFishIllinois page, 4 IDNR-mapped ramps, 2 USGS gauges
- Mississippi River, Pool 13pool of the Mississippi River, IFishIllinois page, 5 IDNR-mapped ramps, 1 USGS gauge, shared with Iowa and Missouri
- Rock River, Milan Poolpool of the Rock River, IFishIllinois page, 7 IDNR-mapped ramps, 1 USGS gauge
- Mississippi River, Pool 14pool of the Mississippi River, IFishIllinois page, 6 IDNR-mapped ramps, shared with Iowa and Missouri
USGS stations streaming data from Whiteside County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Rock River At Como, Il | 6,150 cfs, 4.68 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:15 am |
| Elkhorn Creek Near Penrose, Il | 100 cfs, 3.26 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Mississippi River At Dam 13 Near Fulton, Il | 6.98 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
| Rock River Above Sinnissippi Dam At Rock Falls, Il | 6.63 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 12:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDNR IFishIllinois river and pool pages, USGS GNIS names, IDNR map launches and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 4, 2026.
Stage and flow notes near Whiteside County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock River at Como | 4.35 ft | 5.22 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Fulton | 5.86 ft | 44.5 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Camanche | 9.93 ft | 55.8 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Elkhorn Creek (IL) near Penrose | 3.25 ft | 0.0912 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| Rock River near Joslin | 6.17 ft | 5.1 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 17:45:00 UTC |
The Weather Service values show the time they were taken and do not refresh.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Public launches inside Whiteside County
- Lake Carlton Boat RampLake Carlton, concrete ramp
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 Cattail Slough Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 Fulton Marina Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Rock River – Milan Pool Lawrence Park Boat RampRock River, Milan Pool, IDNR note: Gravel ramp
- Rock River – Sterling Pool Sewards Park Boat RampRock River, Sterling Pool, IDNR note: Gravel ramp
- Hennepin Feeder Canal Boat Ramp-Rock Falls on Centennial Park LakeCentennial Park Lake, launch
- Hennepin Feeder Canal Jim Arduini Boat Ramp-Rock Falls on Centennial Park LakeCentennial Park Lake, launch
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Lock and Dam 13 Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 13, launch
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Mickelson's Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 13, launch
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 Albany Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, launch
- Rock River – Milan Pool Erie Boat RampRock River, Milan Pool, launch
- Rock River – Milan Pool Prophetstown Boat RampRock River, Milan Pool, launch
- Rock River – Milan Pool Roadside Park Boat RampRock River, Milan Pool, launch
- Rock River – Sterling Pool Oppold Marina Boat RampRock River, Sterling Pool, launch
Shore fishing across Whiteside County
- Handicapped Fishing Pier on Lake Carltonfishing pier, IDNR site: Morrison-Rockwood
The asset list adds 9 boat docks.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026. IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Stocking table rows for Whiteside County waters
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lake Carlton | Channel Catfish | 2,212 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Lake Carlton | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 10,791 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Centennial Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 1,940 | Adult |
| 2026 | Centennial Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Lake Carlton | Channel Catfish | 2,212 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Lake Carlton | Muskellunge | 77 | Adult |
| 2025 | Lake Carlton | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 15,020 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Centennial Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 864 | Adult |
| 2024 | Lake Carlton | Channel Catfish | 2,200 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Lake Carlton | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 10,851 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Lake Carlton | Channel Catfish | 2,200 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Lake Carlton | Muskellunge | 78 | Adult |
| 2023 | Lake Carlton | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 10,197 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Lake Carlton | Channel Catfish | 2,500 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Lake Carlton | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 11,655 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; rows reach the county through the water they name.
The 2026 digest rows for Whiteside County water
A Whiteside County water without a digest entry uses these statewide limits. IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
| Species | Daily limit | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Whiteside County waters carrying digest exceptions (10)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial Park Pond | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Centennial Park Pond | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) |
| Lake Carlton | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Lake Carlton | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Carlton | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Carlton | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Carlton Silt Basin | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Lake Carlton Silt Basin | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 8 inch Minimum Length Limit; 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Carlton Silt Basin | Large or Smallmouth Bass | Catch and Release Fishing Only (9) |
| Lake Sinnissippi | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Recreational Use Restrictions Spring Lake in Carroll County is closed to fishing during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season and during the regular duck and Canada goose season except in areas posted as open to fishing. All Fish While Trolling, sport fisherman must not use more than 2 poles a | |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Bluegill or Pumpkinseed Sunfish | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, singly or in aggregate |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Northern Pike | 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Paddlefish | 33 inch (Eye to Fork) Maximum Length Limit (all Paddlefish greater than or equal to 33 inches must be immediately released back to the Mississippi River); 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit. Snagging for Paddlefish is permitted from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset daily, March 1 t |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Rock Bass | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Striped, White, Yellow, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit; Statewide regulation limiting daily harvest to 3 Fish greater than or equal to 17 inches is not in effect on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Walleye | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Walleye or Sauger | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 27 inches |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
The heaviest Illinois fish near Whiteside County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | hook and line | 12 lbs 15 oz | Rock River | Jan. 4, 2024 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Tournament launches in Whiteside County
Organizers list 2 events on Whiteside County water, with 0 still coming.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Mississippi River (Pool 13) (2025-26) | Mississippi River – Pool 13 | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| May 22, 2025 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Mississippi River (Pool 13) (2024-25) | Mississippi River – Pool 13 | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
Organizer schedule and results pages (IDNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked November 2026.
Buying bait inside Whiteside County
Crawlers, line and lures in Whiteside County
- Fisheadtacklebait and tackle shop, Sterling
- Oppold Marinamarina, Sterling
- Riglers Sports Supplysporting goods store, Rock Falls
- South Shore Marinamarina, Rock Falls
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings; guide and charter association pages (matched by the waters they list or their county), read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Whiteside County
Town fishing pages across Whiteside County
- Sterlingpop. 14,764
- Rock Fallspop. 8,789
- Morrisonpop. 4,085
- Fultonpop. 3,647
- Prophetstownpop. 1,946
- Eriepop. 1,518
Counties bordering Whiteside County
- Carroll County22 miles north
- Henry County30 miles south
- Bureau County31 miles southeast
- Lee County32 miles east
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Whiteside County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the Whiteside County fish apart by photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Richard Hurd, CC BY 2.0
What anglers want to know about Whiteside County water
Does Whiteside County have a public ramp on the IDNR map?
IDNR lists 14 launches; one is Lake Carlton Boat Ramp.
Which impoundment in Whiteside County covers the most ground?
Lake Carlton, at 70 acres by the IDNR listing.
What swims in the lakes near Whiteside County?
Largemouth bass tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, channel catfish and redear sunfish.
Where does a Whiteside County angler buy crawlers and minnows?
Try Fisheadtackle; 4 are listed.
Does Whiteside County have an IDNR tackle loaner site?
No IDNR loaner site falls in the county.
Which town runs Whiteside County county business?
County government sits in Morrison.
How much does a nonresident pay to fish in Whiteside County?
IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
Which counties lie a short drive past Whiteside County?
Closest by centre point: Carroll County, Henry County and Bureau County.
How many trail events list Whiteside County water?
Organizers posted 2 events for this county, and none is scheduled ahead yet.
Which site-specific entries reach Whiteside County?
The digest lists 10 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Centennial Park Pond; the table above shows each.
Are Whiteside County lakes stocked?
The IDNR table carries 15 rows; the newest lists 10,791 Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye), Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Carlton, Lake.
Which IDNR record lines name Whiteside County?
Shovelnose Sturgeon, 12 lbs 15 oz, January 4, 2024 (hook and line), from Rock River.
Give Whiteside County water a whole weekend
Lake pages carry launches, IDNR ratings and digest rules.