Illinois River, Alton Pool Fishing
A navigation pool of the Illinois River in Morgan, Scott and Pike counties.
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What an Illinois angler should know about the Illinois River Alton Pool
Alton Pool of the Illinois River, an Illinois navigation pool, runs past Morgan, Scott and Pike counties. IDNR counts 19,565 acres for this reach. The Census place of Alton lies under a mile off.
It has 11 boat ramps on the IDNR launch layer. You can check 3 USGS gauges before driving. IDNR calls the flathead catfish fishing excellent.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
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- Location (IDNR)The Alton Pool extends upstream 80.2 miles from Grafton to the tailwater of the La Grange Lock and Dam, north of Meredosia. Although the lower Illinois River reach is not impounded, it is termed the Alton Pool because it is to some degree influenced by the Mel Price Lock and Dam on the Mississippi River at Alton.
- Description (IDNR)The Illinois River is formed at the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers near Channahon in northeastern Illinois. It flows southwest for 273 miles across the state to enter the Mississippi River at Grafton. There are five dams along the Illinois forming pooled reaches named (upstream to downstream) the Dresden, Marseilles, Starved Rock, Peoria and La Grange pools. The lower Illinois reach is the …
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What IDNR sampling found on the Illinois River Alton Pool
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | Excellent | Flathead catfish are common in the Alton Pool and trophy-sized fish exceeding 36 inches and 30 pounds can be found. The 2025 Alton Pool spring hoop net survey resulted in the collection of 112 flathead catfish measuring… |
| Channel Catfish | Excellent | Channel catfish are the primary game fish of the Alton Pool and are very abundant throughout the reach. Notable areas for channel catfish are main channel border and side channels with current and structure. A spring… |
| White Bass | Good | White bass, the most prevalent of the three temperate bass species found in the Illinois River, is a schooling species that is present throughout the main channel of the Alton Pool. White bass are a short-lived and… |
| Sauger | Fair | Catchable sauger and to a lesser degree, walleye, are most abundant in the upper pools of the Illinois River, but do inhabit the Alton Pool. Sauger are found in deep waters during the day, but search for food in the… |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | Largemouth bass can be found throughout the Alton Pool and, like other members of the sunfish family, have reproductive spikes during big flood years. The Alton Pool has not experienced a prolonged spring flood allowing… |
| Crappie spp. | Good | The 2025 fish community survey resulted in below average crappie collections. Crappie assessments can be difficult during the late summer annual electrofishing surveys due to their seasonal movement patterns. Water… |
| Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Good | IDNR Biologists have been receiving an increase in calls from anglers catching hybrid striped bass (white bass x striped bass). In 2024 we collected 3 fish/hr each of hybrid striped bass and pure striped bass and in… |
| Blue Catfish | Excellent | The blue catfish population is on the rise in the lower Illinois River and, like flatheads, they also reach trophy sizes. Four blue catfish were collected in the 2025 spring hoop net survey. The blue catfish ranged in… |
IDNR documents these fish on Alton Pool of the Illinois River; others swim there too.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR history of the Illinois River Alton Pool fishery
- IDNRHistorically the lower Illinois River was one of the most productive freshwater fisheries in the world, but over the last century the structure and function of the Illinois River and its floodplain have been greatly altered. Habitat restoration efforts through the Federal program NESP (Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program) restored 5 islands and associated side channel habitat between River Miles …
IDNR fishery text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Gauge readings from the Illinois River Alton Pool
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River At Meredosia, Il | 5,790 cfs, 3.43 ft gage height | Aug 8 1:45 am Not updated since Aug 8, 1988. |
| Illinois River At Valley City, Il | 8,560 cfs, 2.73 ft gage height | Nov 13 2:00 am |
| Illinois River At Florence, Il | 15.55 ft gage height | Nov 13 1:45 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 2:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
The panel reads Illinois River at Meredosia, IL, Illinois River at Valley City, IL and Illinois River at Florence, IL, the USGS sites closest to the pool ramps.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional; site list read November 4, 2026.
The Illinois River page holds the NOAA gauge table; no gauge carries this pool's name.
Reaching the Illinois River Alton Pool
- Illinois River – Alton Meredosia Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Morgan County
- Illinois River – Alton Naples Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Scott County
- Illinois River – Alton Florence Landing Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Pike County
- Illinois River – Alton Bedford Landing Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Pike County
- Illinois River – Alton Kampsville Landing Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Calhoun County
- Illinois River – Alton Hurricane Island – Michael Landing Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Calhoun County
- Illinois River – Alton Diamond Island Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Calhoun County
- Illinois River – Alton Hardin Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Calhoun County
- Illinois River – Alton Glades Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Jersey County
- Illinois River – Alton Hadley Landing Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Calhoun County
- Illinois River – Alton Pere Marquette State Park Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Poollaunch, Jersey County
More public launches that reach Illinois River Alton Pool
- Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) North Boat RampHorseshoe Lake (Madison County), 11 miles
- Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) Boat RampHorseshoe Lake (Madison County), 13 miles
Stay on public land along Alton Pool of the Illinois River unless an owner agrees.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Stocking rows for the Illinois River Alton Pool
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lake Sturgeon | 2,092 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Creel counts and inch rules for the Illinois River Alton Pool
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide 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 |
Unless the digest names it, Alton Pool of the Illinois River uses the statewide rows.
Rules printed for the Illinois River Alton Pool
- Waterfowl
- management areas may be closed to fishing as posted at the site. For
- specifics on restrictions and for information on bank fishing access,
- contact the Mississippi River Area office (618) 376-3303.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12-inch minimum length limit; 6 fish daily limit with no more than three
- Smallmouth Bass.
- Walleye, Sauger and Hybrids: 14 inch minimum length limit; 6 fish daily limit.
- White Bass, Striped Bass and their hybrids: No daily limit under 17
Site-specific regulations on the IFishIllinois page, as printed, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
Sister pools beside Illinois River Alton Pool
The closest page in this table to Alton Pool of the Illinois River is Illinois River, LaGrange Pool, about 78 miles away.
| Water | Distance | USGS gauges | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois River, Alton Pool | 3 | 11 | Flathead Catfish | |
| Illinois River, LaGrange Pool | 78 miles north | 2 | 10 | Channel Catfish |
| Illinois River, Peoria Pool | 129 miles north | 1 | 9 | Bluegill |
| Illinois River, Starved Rock Pool | 183 miles north | 1 | 2 | Flathead Catfish |
| Illinois River, Marseilles Pool | 186 miles northeast | 3 | 1 | Smallmouth Bass |
USGS gauges, IDNR boat ramp layer and IDNR outlook lines; read November 4, 2026.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Illinois River Alton Pool
Lakes in the same corner of the state as Illinois River Alton Pool
- Gordon Moore Park Lake6 miles
- Belk Park Pond9 miles
- Cougar Lake (SIUE)11 miles
- Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)12 miles
Filling the bait bucket near Illinois River Alton Pool
- Alton Marinamarina, Alton, 3 miles
- Bluff City Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Alton, 4 miles
- Mallorys Sports Supplysporting goods store, Wood River, 7 miles
- Old Man River Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bethalto, 10 miles
- Ron's Bait & Tackle, 3321 State Route 111bait and tackle shop, Granite City, 12 miles
Illinois towns close to Illinois River Alton Pool
- Alton5 miles
- East Alton6 miles
- Hartford6 miles
- Wood River7 miles
County guides linked to Illinois River Alton Pool
- Morgan County
- Scott County
- Pike County
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Alton Pool of the Illinois River
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The ponds and rivers around Illinois River, Alton Pool, photographed
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: tofu nutloaf, CC BY-SA 2.0
Straight replies on Illinois River Alton Pool
What part of Illinois holds Alton Pool of the Illinois River?
The Alton Pool extends upstream 80.2 miles from Grafton to the tailwater of the La Grange Lock and Dam, north of Meredosia. Although the lower Illinois River reach is not impounded, it is termed the A Its Illinois counties: Morgan, Scott and Pike counties.
Is Alton Pool of the Illinois River rising or falling?
USGS posts Illinois River at Meredosia, IL and Illinois River at Valley City, IL above.
How many IDNR-mapped ramps touch Alton Pool of the Illinois River?
The IDNR map shows 11 boat ramps; start at Illinois River – Alton Bedford Landing Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Alton Pool.
Which rules apply on Alton Pool of the Illinois River?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. Its own digest lines are in the limits band.
Which license covers Alton Pool of the Illinois River?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Which species does IDNR list for Alton Pool of the Illinois River?
IDNR calls flathead catfish excellent and lists channel catfish, white bass, sauger, largemouth bass and hybrid striped bass.
Which counter near Alton Pool of the Illinois River keeps a minnow tank?
Head to Alton Marina, about 3 miles away,.
Do I need permission to fish Alton Pool of the Illinois River?
Public ramps and parks only, unless a farmer agrees.
Where can I see the rest of the river beyond Alton Pool of the Illinois River?
The Illinois River page ties together all 6 Illinois pools, this one included.
Take the river road to Alton Pool of the Illinois River
Fees, stamps and border rules sit on the license page.