The Mississippi River Pool 15, the Prairie State snapshot
In Rock Island County lies Pool 15 of the Mississippi River, a navigation pool with its own IDNR page. There are 3,740 acres in the pool, per IDNR. A reciprocity agreement with Iowa and Missouri covers this stretch. Moline is the nearest Census place, under a mile from the reference point.
Boaters use 3 boat ramps from the IDNR map. For smallmouth bass, the IDNR outlook reads very good.
3,740acres (IDNR)
3mapped ramps
0USGS gauges
6species named
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Location (IDNR)Pool 15 of the Upper Mississippi River descends 10 miles from Lock and Dam 14 near Hampton, Illinois to Lock and Dam 15 in Rock Island, Illinois (River Miles 493-483). Rock Island County, Illinois borders this reach.
Description (IDNR)Pool 15 of the Upper Mississippi River is the shortest pool on the river and is located in the heart of the Quad Cities, entirely surrounded by industry. Because of this, the 3,700 acres of aquatic habitat is restricted to mostly the main channel. Pool 15 is not a destination pool for fishing on the Mississippi River, however quality fishing may be found here. The Campbell's Island side channel, revetment …
More from IDNRAccess areas available for public use include: Illiniwek Forest Preserve Boat Launch (River Mile 493), Empire Park Boat Launch (River Mile 491), and Ben Butterworth Parkway (River Mile 488).
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Species
The IDNR outlook for the Mississippi River Pool 15
Smallmouth Bass catch rates were the highest they have been in the past few years (0.53 Smallmouth Bass per 15 minutes of electrofishing in 2025). Of the Smallmouth Bass captured, 20% were considered preferred-sized…
We did not capture Black Crappie in Pool 15 in 2025. While Black Crappie may be found in Pool 15, there are better locations on the Mississippi River to fish for this species, such as Pools 12-14. Fish near stumps or…
Bluegill catch rates were the highest they have been in the past few years (2.53 Bluegill per 15 minutes of electrofishing in 2025). Of the Bluegill captured, 39% were considered quality-sized (>5.9 inches). Bluegill…
Largemouth Bass catch rates were the highest they have been in the past few years (1.93 Largemouth Bass per 15 minutes of electrofishing in 2025). Of the Largemouth Bass captured, 30% were considered quality-sized (11.8…
We captured White Crappie for the first time in quite a few years (0.07 White Crappie per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in Pool 15 in 2025. Of the White Crappie captured, 20% were considered preferred-sized (>9.8…
Channel Catfish catch rates were above average in 2025 (0.27 Channel Catfish per 15 minutes of electrofishing). Of the Channel Catfish captured, 75% were considered quality-sized (>16 inches). Channel Catfish are often…
The Pool 15 of the Mississippi River list traces to IDNR.
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.
Access
Trailer ramps sloping into the Mississippi River Pool 15
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
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
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.
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
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
Statewide limits govern Pool 15 of the Mississippi River except where the digest prints its own line.
Site-specific rows on the Mississippi River Pool 15
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.
Reciprocity on the Mississippi River Pool 15
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).
Before the tackle box goes in the car for Mississippi River Pool 15
Where in Illinois is Pool 15 of the Mississippi River?
Pool 15 of the Upper Mississippi River descends 10 miles from Lock and Dam 14 near Hampton, Illinois to Lock and Dam 15 in Rock Island, Illinois (River Miles 493-483). Rock Island County, Illinois bor Maps show it in Rock Island County.
Where can I check the flow on Pool 15 of the Mississippi River?
Nothing measures it in our data.
Where can a kayak put in on Pool 15 of the Mississippi River?
3 boat ramps on the IDNR layer; try Mississippi River – Pool 15 Butterworth Boat Ramp.
What can I take home from Pool 15 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. A site-specific digest entry also applies; see the limits band.
Does my neighbour-state license work on Pool 15 of the Mississippi River?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026). Border reciprocity with Iowa and Missouri applies.
Which fish turn up in IDNR surveys of Pool 15 of the Mississippi River?
smallmouth bass lead the outlook (very good); IDNR also names black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, white crappie and channel catfish.
Which Illinois tackle counter is nearest Pool 15 of the Mississippi River?
Dick's Sporting Goods Moline, about 4 miles away, tops the shop list.
Where can I wade or fish from shore on Pool 15 of the Mississippi River?
Away from public sites, an owner yes is required.
Is Pool 15 of the Mississippi River one pool of a bigger river?
It is one IDNR pool page of the Mississippi River; the main page links all 15 pools.
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