Illinois big rivers
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Mississippi River Fishing in Illinois
The Illinois side of the Mississippi River, pool by pool: 15 IDNR pages.
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Illinois big rivers
What an Illinois angler should know about the Mississippi River
Illinois fishing on the Mississippi River is split into 15 IDNR pools and reaches. The pools with an IDNR size add up to 264,903 acres.
IDNR plots 58 mapped ramps; NOAA and USGS run 34 gauges. It is a border river with Iowa and Missouri, under the reciprocity texts in the digest.
15IDNR pool pages
58mapped ramps
30NOAA gauges
264,903pool acres (IDNR)
IDNR IFishIllinois river pool pages, IDNR boat ramp layer, NOAA NWPS and USGS gauge lists; read November 4, 2026.
Pools
Every pool of the Mississippi River in Illinois
| Pool or reach | Acres (IDNR) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR rating | USGS gauges nearby | Counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River, Open River | 65,092 | 6 | 1 | Randolph County | |
| Mississippi River, Pool 12 | 11,182 | 3 | Channel Catfish (Very Good) | 0 | Jo Daviess County |
| Mississippi River, Pool 13 | 28,942 | 5 | Largemouth Bass (Excellent) | 1 | Carroll County and 2 other counties |
| Mississippi River, Pool 14 | 11,038 | 6 | Northern Pike (Very Good) | 0 | Rock Island and Whiteside counties |
| Mississippi River, Pool 15 | 3,740 | 3 | Smallmouth Bass (Very Good) | 0 | Rock Island County |
| Mississippi River, Pool 16 | 11,921 | 4 | Bluegill (Good) | 0 | Rock Island County |
| Mississippi River, Pool 17 | 7,708 | 2 | Black Crappie (Excellent) | 0 | Mercer County |
| Mississippi River, Pool 18 | 17,181 | 3 | 0 | Henderson County | |
| Mississippi River, Pool 19 | 31,379 | 1 | 0 | Hancock County | |
| Mississippi River, Pool 20 | 8,708 | 2 | 0 | Hancock County | |
| Mississippi River, Pool 21 | 8,690 | 1 | 0 | Adams County | |
| Mississippi River, Pool 22 | 9,915 | 2 | 0 | Adams County | |
| Mississippi River, Pool 24 | 12,552 | 6 | 0 | Pike County | |
| Mississippi River, Pool 25 | 16,674 | 7 | 0 | Calhoun County | |
| Mississippi River, Pool 26 | 20,181 | 7 | 2 | Jersey and Madison counties |
Channel Catfish draw a good-or-better IDNR rating on 6 of these pool pages, more than any other fish on the Mississippi River.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. Pool acres as printed on each IDNR pool page.
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Reaching the Mississippi River
- Mississippi River – Pool 12 East Dubuque Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 12, Jo Daviess County
- Mississippi River – Pool 12 Ferry Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 12, Jo Daviess County
- Mississippi River – Pool 12 Blanding Rec Area Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 12, Jo Daviess County
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Marquette Park Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 13, Carroll County
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Savanna Marina Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 13, Carroll County
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Big Slough Rec Area Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 13, Carroll County
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Mickelson's Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 13, Whiteside County
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Lock and Dam 13 Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 13, Whiteside County
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 Fulton Marina Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, Whiteside County
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 Cattail Slough Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, Whiteside County
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 Albany Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, Whiteside County
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 10th Street Cordova Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 Port Byron Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 Shady Grove Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 15 Illiniwek FP Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 15, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 15 Empire Park Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 15, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 15 Butterworth Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 15, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 16 Sunset Park Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 16, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 16 Andalusia Harbor Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 16, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 16 Andalusia Slough Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 16, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 16 Big Branch Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 16, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 17 Blanchard Island RA Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 17, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 17 Crosses Corner Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 17, Rock Island County
- Mississippi River – Pool 18 New Boston Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 18, Mercer County
- Mississippi River – Pool 18 Port Louisa Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 18, Mercer County
- Mississippi River – Pool 18 Oquawka Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 18, Henderson County
- Mississippi River – Pool 19 Dallas City Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 19, Hancock County
- Mississippi River – Pool 20 Montebello NA Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 20, Hancock County
- Mississippi River – Pool 20 Warsaw Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 20, Hancock County
- Mississippi River – Pool 21 Quincy Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 21, Adams County
- Mississippi River – Pool 22 Baird Shores Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 22, Adams County
- Mississippi River – Pool 22 John Hay Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 22, Pike County
- Mississippi River – Pool 24 Cincinnati Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 24, Pike County
- Mississippi River – Pool 24 Willow Access Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 24, Pike County
- Mississippi River – Pool 24 Pike Station/Two Rivers Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 24, Pike County
- Mississippi River – Pool 24 Two Rivers Marina Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 24, Pike County
- Mississippi River – Pool 24 Delair Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 24, Pike County
- Mississippi River – Pool 24 Pleasant Hill Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 24, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 25 Rip Rap Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 25, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 25 Hamburg Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 25, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 25 Reds Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 25, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 25 Upper Gilead Slough Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 25, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 25 Gilead Slough Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 25, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 25 Turner Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 25, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 25 Batchtown Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 25, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 26 Grafton Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 26, Jersey County
- Mississippi River – Pool 26 Piasa Creek Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 26, Jersey County
- Mississippi River – Pool 26 Piasa Harbor Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 26, Jersey County
- Mississippi River – Pool 26 Royal Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 26, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 26 Martins Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 26, Calhoun County
- Mississippi River – Pool 26 Alton Marina Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 26, Madison County
- Mississippi River – Pool 26 Melvin Price Dam Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 26, Madison County
- Mississippi River – Open River Little Rock Ferry RampMississippi River, Open River, Randolph County
- Mississippi River – Open River Mouth of Kaskaskia River Boat RampMississippi River, Open River, Randolph County
- Mississippi River – Open River Chester Boat RampMississippi River, Open River, Randolph County
- Mississippi River – Open River Wagner Landing Boat RampMississippi River, Open River, Jackson County
- Mississippi River – Open River Grand Tower Boat RampMississippi River, Open River, Jackson County
- Mississippi River – Open River Thebes Boat RampMississippi River, Open River, Alexander County
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Levels
Stage and flow logged on the Mississippi River
| NWS gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River at Dubuque (LD11) | 5.93 ft | 41.4 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Dubuque (Railroad Bridge) | 8.48 ft | 42.6 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Bellevue | 6.02 ft | 41.7 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 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 |
| Mississippi River at LeClaire | 5.16 ft | 44.4 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Rock Island | 5.98 ft | 49.7 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River above Fairport | 10.41 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Illinois City | 4.55 ft | 47.3 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Muscatine | 6.8 ft | 53 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at New Boston | 6.7 ft | 62.7 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:40:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Keithsburg | 7.95 ft | 70 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Gladstone | 4.19 ft | 81.7 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Burlington | 10.11 ft | 81 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Fort Madison | 526.19 ft | 106 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Keokuk | 6.31 ft | 87.3 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:40:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Gregory Landing | 8.46 ft | 100 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Canton Lock and Dam 20 | 7.54 ft | 96.8 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at LaGrange | 8.35 ft | 4.58 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Quincy | 11.89 ft | 66.2 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Quincy Lock and Dam 21 | 7.21 ft | 87.5 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Hannibal | 11.32 ft | 91.4 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Saverton Lock and Dam 22 | 7.89 ft | 91.3 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Louisiana | 12.29 ft | 143 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Clarksville Lock and Dam 24 | 17.61 ft | 86.6 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Mozier Landing | 35.98 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Winfield Lock and Dam 25 | 16.79 ft | 78.4 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Grafton | 15.35 ft | 118 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Alton | 18.59 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Mel Price (Alton) Lock and Dam | 6.28 ft | 103 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
The table freezes NOAA readings from 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC.
Live flow on the Mississippi River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Chester, Il | 143,000 cfs, 8.23 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 pm |
| Mississippi River At Dam 13 Near Fulton, Il | 5.90 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 pm |
| Mississippi River At Grafton, Il | 88,600 cfs, 15.40 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 pm |
| Mississippi River Pool Lock And Dam 26 At Alton,il | 18.67 ft gage height | Nov 5 5:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 5, 2026 5:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional.
Limits
Creel counts and inch rules for the Mississippi River
| 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 |
Rules printed for the Mississippi River
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Yellow Perch | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | All Nongame Species Combined 100 Total Fish | Daily Harvest Limit (Excludes endangered and threatened species and the following game species: Crappie, Channel/Blue/Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass, Warmouth, White/Yellow/Striped/Hybrid Striped Bass, Trout, Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Chain/Grass Pickerel, Walleye, |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Recreational Use Restrictions | Boating prohibited on refuge area (Ellis Bay) immediately upstream of Melvin Price Lock and Dam 26 overflow dike from October 15-April 15 |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Blue or Channel Catfish | 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Flathead Catfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Largemouth, Smallmouth, or Spotted Bass | 12 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Northern Pike | 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Paddlefish | 24 inch (Eye to Fork) Minimum Length Limit; 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit. Snagging for Paddlefish is permitted from September 15 through December 15 and March 15 through May 15 within a 300 yard downstream limit below locks and dams on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri except for the |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Limit; Paddlefish less than | 24 inches eye to fork length must be to returned immediately to the water. |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Once the | Daily Harvest Limit of Paddlefish has been reached, snagging must cease. Gaffs may not be used to land Paddlefish |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Striped, White, Yellow, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 30 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 Missouri |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Walleye or Sauger | 8 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 30 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River Pools 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24 | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 44, read November 4, 2026.
The Mississippi River as an Illinois border water
- Reciprocity (digest)Officers of Illinois and Iowa will recognize and accept valid sport fishing licenses of either state when legally possessed and used by hook-and-line sport fishermen on the Mississippi River proper forming a common boundary between Illinois and Iowa, including its backwater lakes and sloughs contiguous with the flow of waters in the main channel; provided that you do not fish from or attach any device or equipment to the main bank of the Mississippi under the jurisdiction of the state where you are not licensed to fish. You can not fish in any tributaries of the opposite state. You must conform to the regulations of the state in which you are fishing unless the regulations of your …
- Reciprocity (digest)Officers of Illinois and Missouri will recognize and accept valid sport fishing licenses of either state when legally possessed and used in the Mississippi River and its backwaters within the boundary of Missouri adjacent to the state of Illinois. Persons licensed in only one state may also fish in the other state’s portion of any oxbow lakes through which the IllinoisMissouri boundary passes, and may fish from or attach any device or equipment to land under the jurisdiction of the other state. Persons licensed in only one state may not fish in tributaries of the Mississippi in the other state. Sport fishermen shall comply with the regulations of the state in whose waters they are …
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.
Records
Heavy fish from the Mississippi River in the IDNR book
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gizzard Shad | 3 lbs 2.2 oz | bow and arrow | May 5, 2016 | Jo Daviess |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Tournaments
Trail stops and club events on the Mississippi River
See the Mississippi River tournament page for takeoffs and winners.
Nearby
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Mississippi River
Filling the bait bucket near Mississippi River
- Walkers Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Bushnell, 15 miles
- Drydock Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Gladstone, 23 miles
- Dano's Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Hamilton, 32 miles
- The Boat Housemarina, Clayton
- Dick's Sporting Goods Quincysporting goods store, Quincy
- Wiemelts Bait And Tackle LLCbait and tackle shop, Quincy
Illinois rivers clustered around the Mississippi River
- Illinois River6 pool pages
- Ohio River3 pool pages
- Rock River7 pool pages
County guides linked to Mississippi River
- Randolph County
- Jo Daviess County
- Carroll County
- Whiteside County
- Rock Island County
- Mercer County
- Henderson County
- Hancock County
- Adams County
- Pike County
- Calhoun County
- Jersey County
- Madison County
Piscifun
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for the Mississippi River
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photos
Timber, cornfield and water around Mississippi River through a lens
Photo: Seclusive Nature, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Gary Todd, CC0 1.0
Photo: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers
Before the tackle box goes in the car for the Mississippi River
Which pools of the Mississippi River have IDNR pages?
The 15 pages are Open River, Pool 12, Pool 13, Pool 14, Pool 15, Pool 16, Pool 17, Pool 18, Pool 19, Pool 20, Pool 21, Pool 22, Pool 24, Pool 25 and Pool 26.
Is there public access to the Mississippi River?
Start at Mississippi River – Open River Little Rock Ferry Ramp; there are 58 ramps.
Who can fish the Mississippi River with an out-of-state license?
It borders Iowa and Missouri; the digest prints reciprocity texts, quoted in the limits band. Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Which fish does IDNR expect anglers to find in the Mississippi River?
Across its pools IDNR lists channel catfish, bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, white crappie, northern pike, smallmouth bass and gizzard shad.
How many bass can I keep on the Mississippi 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. Plus 4 site-specific entries, listed above.
How high is the Mississippi River?
Check the 30 NOAA gauges in the levels band.
Which counter near the Mississippi River keeps a minnow tank?
Head to Walkers Bait Shop.
Which pool page of the Mississippi River is a good start?
Mississippi River, Open River heads the pool table.
Find your stretch of the Mississippi River
Know the limits before the livewell fills.