Reading the Mississippi River Pool 16 before launching
IDNR treats Pool 16 of the Mississippi River as its own navigation pool, reaching into Rock Island County. IDNR sizes the pool at 11,921 acres. The far bank belongs to Iowa and Missouri, under a digest reciprocity text. Andalusia sits under a mile from the map point.
Trailers go in at 4 boat ramps. The IDNR outlook grades bluegill good.
11,921acres (IDNR)
4mapped ramps
0USGS gauges
6species named
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
From the IFishIllinois page on the Mississippi River Pool 16
Location (IDNR)Pool 16 of the Upper Mississippi River descends 25.7 miles from Lock and Dam 15 in Rock Island, Illinois to Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine, Iowa (River Miles 483-457). Rock Island County, Illinois borders this reach.
Description (IDNR)Pool 16 of the Upper Mississippi River contains approximately 12,000 acres of aquatic habitat, consisting of islands, side channels, and shallow backwaters throughout much of its reach. Deep off-channel aquatic habitat is limited throughout much of the pool. Unlike many pools on the Upper Mississippi River, Pool 16 does not have a wide open expanse of water in its lower reach. Exhibit caution while navigating …
More from IDNRAccess areas available for public use include: Sunset Marina (River Mile 480), Andalusia Harbor Boat Ramp (River Mile 473), Andalusia Slough (River Mile 470), and Big Branch Boat Ramp (River Mile 467).
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Species
IDNR survey ratings for the Mississippi River Pool 16
Bluegill catch rates were below average (0.79 Bluegill per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Bluegill captured, 23% were considered quality-sized (>5.9 inches). Bluegill provide an excellent fishing…
Smallmouth Bass catch rates were below average (0.11 Smallmouth Bass per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Smallmouth Bass captured, 8% were considered memorable-sized (>16.9 inches), 15% were considered…
Largemouth Bass catch rates were below average (0.28 Largemouth Bass per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Largemouth Bass captured, 20% were considered preferred-sized (15 inches), and 33% were considered…
Channel Catfish catch rates were the highest they have been in the past few years (0.21 Channel Catfish per 15 minutes of electrofishing in 2025). Of the Channel Catfish captured, 50% were considered quality-sized (>16…
We did not capture White Crappie in 2025, but we have consistently captured them over previous years. Fish near stumps or brush piles for White Crappie. Common bait types are small minnows, nightcrawlers, or jigs and…
Black Crappie catch rates were average (0.04 Black Crappie per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Black Crappie captured, 38% were considered memorable-sized (>11.8 inches), 63% were considered…
For Pool 16 of the Mississippi River, every fish listed has an IDNR source.
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
Concrete and gravel ramps on the Mississippi River Pool 16
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
Begin with the statewide rows for Pool 16 of the Mississippi River; site entries override them.
Digest entries for the Mississippi River Pool 16
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.
State-line rules on the Mississippi River Pool 16
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).
What gets asked about Mississippi River Pool 16 around Illinois
Which county courthouse covers Pool 16 of the Mississippi River?
Pool 16 of the Upper Mississippi River descends 25.7 miles from Lock and Dam 15 in Rock Island, Illinois to Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine, Iowa (River Miles 483-457). Rock Island County, Illinois borde Its Illinois banks lie in Rock Island County.
Which gauge reads Pool 16 of the Mississippi River?
No gauge is tied to it here; a neighbouring river page gives a rough idea.
Which ramps reach Pool 16 of the Mississippi River?
There are 4 boat ramps, Mississippi River – Pool 16 Andalusia Harbor Boat Ramp among them.
Does the digest print extra rules for Pool 16 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. See its site-specific rows too.
What does IDNR charge for a license good on Pool 16 of the Mississippi River?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026). Reciprocity with Iowa and Missouri is printed in the limits band.
Is Pool 16 of the Mississippi River good for catfish?
IDNR rates bluegill good; its sources also name smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie and black crappie.
Which store outfits a trip on Pool 16 of the Mississippi River?
Stop at Sunset Marina, about 10 miles away,.
Can I bank fish Pool 16 of the Mississippi River?
Ask before crossing private ground; public ramps and parks are open.
How does Pool 16 of the Mississippi River fit into the river?
IDNR treats it as one of 15 pools of the Mississippi River.
Put Pool 16 of the Mississippi River on the calendar
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