Mississippi River, Pool 13 Fishing
A navigation pool of the Mississippi River in Carroll, Jo Daviess and Whiteside counties.
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The Mississippi River Pool 13, quickly sorted
Anglers reach Pool 13 of the Mississippi River, a navigation pool, from Carroll, Jo Daviess and Whiteside counties. IDNR lists 28,942 acres of water in this pool. It forms the state line with Iowa and Missouri; license reciprocity applies. Food and fuel are closest in Savanna, near under a mile away.
5 boat ramps line its banks on the IDNR map. There are 1 USGS gauge near it. First in the IDNR outlook: largemouth bass, excellent.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
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- Location (IDNR)Pool 13 of the Upper Mississippi River descends 34.2 miles from Lock and Dam 12 in Bellevue, Iowa to Lock and Dam 13 near Fulton, Illinois (River Miles 557-522.5). Jo Davies, Carroll, and Whiteside Counties, Illinois border this reach.
- Description (IDNR)Pool 13 of the Upper Mississippi River contains approximately 28,000 acres of aquatic habitat, including islands, channels, lakes, and sloughs in the upper and middle portions, and a broad open expanse of water in the lower portion of the pool. Much of the shoreline is bound by steep forested bluffs. The Maquoketa (IA), Apple, Plum, and Elk (IA) Rivers empty into Pool 13. Pinoak Lake, Buffalo Lake, Town Lake …
- More from IDNRThe Upper Mississippi River descends 670 miles from St. Anthony Falls, Minnesota to Alton, Illinois. A total of 29 locks with accompanying dams were constructed around the 1930s to create a waterway suitable for navigation and thus sectioned the Upper Mississippi River into ‘pools’. Illinois borders 380 miles or 13 pools of the Upper Mississippi River, from Pool 12 near Dubuque, Iowa downstream to Pool 26 near …
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Species and ratings on the Mississippi River Pool 13
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Excellent | Largemouth Bass catch rates were below average (0.68 Largemouth Bass per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Largemouth Bass captured, 8% were considered preferred-sized (15 inches), and 62% were considered… |
| Black Crappie | Very Good | Black Crappie catch rates were below average (0.03 Black Crappie per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Black Crappie captured 14% were considered quality-sized (>7.9 inches). Fish near stumps or brush piles… |
| Northern Pike | Very Good | Northern Pike appear occasionally in samples (0.01 Northern Pike per 15 minutes of electrofishing in 2025). However, the Northern Pike fishery is strong in Pool 13. Of the Northern Pike captured, 33% were considered… |
| Smallmouth Bass | Very Good | Smallmouth Bass catch rates were below average (0.07 Smallmouth Bass per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Smallmouth Bass captured, 15% were considered quality-sized (>11 inches). Use Ned rigs, crayfish… |
| White Crappie | Very Good | White Crappie catch rates were below average (0.01 White Crappie per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the White Crappie captured, 50% were considered preferred-sized (>9.8 inches) and 100% were considered… |
| Channel Catfish | Very Good | Channel Catfish catch rates were below average (0.04 Channel Catfish per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Channel Catfish captured, 60% were considered quality-sized (>16 inches). Channel Catfish are often… |
| Bluegill | Very Good | Bluegill catch rates were below average (0.45 Bluegill per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Bluegill captured, 36% were considered quality-sized (>5.9 inches). Bluegill provide an excellent fishing… |
An IDNR outlook line, stocking row or record backs each fish named for Pool 13 of the Mississippi River.
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.
Gauge height and discharge along the Mississippi River Pool 13
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Dam 13 Near Fulton, Il | 6.97 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 6:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS sites nearest the pool: Mississippi River at Dam 13 Near Fulton, IL.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional; site list read November 4, 2026.
Stage readings along the Mississippi River are listed on its main page.
Backing a trailer into the Mississippi River Pool 13
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Marquette Park Boat Ramplaunch, Carroll County
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Savanna Marina Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch, Carroll County
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Big Slough Rec Area Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch, Carroll County
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Mickelson's Landing Boat Ramplaunch, Whiteside County
- Mississippi River – Pool 13 Lock and Dam 13 Boat Ramplaunch, Whiteside County
Neighbouring ramps around Mississippi River Pool 13
- Mississippi River – Pool 14 Fulton Marina Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 14, 14 miles
Enter Pool 13 of the Mississippi River from public sites or with permission.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Fish allowed in the cooler from the Mississippi River Pool 13
| 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 |
On Pool 13 of the Mississippi River, the statewide digest rows hold unless a site-specific line below changes them.
The Mississippi River Pool 13 in the site-specific list
- All Fish:
- While trolling, sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures.
- Bluegill or Pumpkinseed Sunfish:
- 25 fish daily harvest limit, single or in aggregate.
- Large or Smallmouth Bass:
- 14 inch minimum length limit; 5 fish daily harvest limit.
- Northern Pike:
- 5 fish daily harvest limit.
Site-specific regulations on the IFishIllinois page, as printed, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Licenses on the border water of the Mississippi River Pool 13
- 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 …
- 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 …
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.
IDNR record rows naming the Mississippi River Pool 13
| 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.
Weigh-ins along the Mississippi River Pool 13
Open the Pool 13 of the Mississippi River tournament page for winners.
Mississippi River Pool 13 and the pools around it
Mississippi River, Pool 14 is the nearest neighbour, roughly 23 miles off.
| Water | Distance | USGS gauges | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River, Pool 13 | 1 | 5 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Mississippi River, Pool 14 | 23 miles south | 0 | 6 | Northern Pike |
| Mississippi River, Pool 12 | 30 miles northwest | 0 | 3 | Channel Catfish |
| Mississippi River, Pool 15 | 40 miles southwest | 0 | 3 | Smallmouth Bass |
| Mississippi River, Pool 16 | 51 miles southwest | 0 | 4 | Bluegill |
USGS gauges, IDNR boat ramp layer and IDNR outlook lines; read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Mississippi River Pool 13
Nearby impoundments to try after Mississippi River Pool 13
- Hanover Lake13 miles
- Lake Carlton Silt Basin19 miles
- Lake Carlton19 miles
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na31 miles
Bait counters on the drive to Mississippi River Pool 13
- Lazy River Marina Incmarina, Savanna, 6 miles
- Millers Sport Center Incsporting goods store, Lanark, 20 miles
- K & S Marine Incmarina, Apple River, 24 miles
- Frentress Lake Marine Centermarina, East Dubuque
- Mid-Town Marinamarina, East Dubuque
Places to sleep and eat near Mississippi River Pool 13
- Savanna4 miles
- Thomson7 miles
- Mount Carroll11 miles
- Fulton14 miles
Mississippi River Pool 13, cut along Illinois county lines
- Carroll County
- Jo Daviess County
- Whiteside County
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Pool 13 of the Mississippi River
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Telling the Mississippi River, Pool 13 fish apart by photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: NatureServe, CC BY 2.0
Mississippi River Pool 13, sorted out question by question
Which Illinois counties sit along Pool 13 of the Mississippi River?
Pool 13 of the Upper Mississippi River descends 34.2 miles from Lock and Dam 12 in Bellevue, Iowa to Lock and Dam 13 near Fulton, Illinois (River Miles 557-522.5). Jo Davies, Carroll, and Whiteside Co Start in Carroll, Jo Daviess and Whiteside counties.
Which USGS station covers Pool 13 of the Mississippi River?
The flow band carries Mississippi River at Dam 13 Near Fulton, IL, live from USGS.
Where do boaters get onto Pool 13 of the Mississippi River?
Use Mississippi River – Pool 13 Big Slough Rec Area Boat Ramp, one of 5 boat ramps.
How many bass can I keep on Pool 13 of 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 the site rules shown above.
Is an Illinois license needed on Pool 13 of the Mississippi River?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026). Along the Iowa and Missouri line a reciprocity text applies; see the limits band.
What bites on Pool 13 of the Mississippi River?
First in the IDNR outlook: largemouth bass, excellent; others named are black crappie, northern pike, smallmouth bass, white crappie and channel catfish.
Can I get bait on the way to Pool 13 of the Mississippi River?
Our list starts with Lazy River Marina Inc, about 6 miles away,.
Are the banks of Pool 13 of the Mississippi River public?
Much Illinois river frontage is private; use public ramps, parks and state sites, or ask the owner.
Is Pool 13 of the Mississippi River in the IDNR record list?
Gizzard Shad at 3 lbs 2.2 oz (bow and arrow division, May 5, 2016) is the heaviest entry IDNR lists for Pool 13 of the Mississippi River; IDNR prints no angler names.
Which river is Pool 13 of the Mississippi River part of?
This pool belongs to the Mississippi River, which IDNR splits into 15 pages.
Wait for a good stage on Pool 13 of the Mississippi River
IDNR fees and the statewide table are on one page.