The Mississippi River Pool 17, the Prairie State snapshot
In Mercer County lies Pool 17 of the Mississippi River, a navigation pool with its own IDNR page. There are 7,708 acres in the pool, per IDNR. A reciprocity agreement with Iowa and Missouri covers this stretch. Aledo is the nearest Census place, under a mile from the reference point.
Boaters use 2 boat ramps from the IDNR map. For black crappie, the IDNR outlook reads excellent.
7,708acres (IDNR)
2mapped ramps
0USGS gauges
6species named
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Location (IDNR)Pool 17 of the Upper Mississippi River descends 20 miles from Lock & Dam 16 in Muscatine, Iowa to Lock and Dam 17 near New Boston, Iowa (River Miles 457-437). Rock Island and Mercer Counties, Illinois border this reach.
Description (IDNR)Pool 17 of the Upper Mississippi River contains approximately 7,700 acres of aquatic habitat including islands, side channels, and backwaters. The Illinois side of the river is entirely rural with very few amenities. The Iowa DNR’s Lake Odessa Wildlife Management Area, and The Big Timber and Louisa Divisions of the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge are located in Pool 17. Beginning at Pool 17 and extending …
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
The IDNR outlook for the Mississippi River Pool 17
Black Crappie catch rates were high (0.11 Black Crappie per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Black Crappie captured, 15% were considered preferred-sized (>9.8 inches) and 38% were considered quality-sized…
White Crappie catch rates were above average (0.08 White Crappie per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the White Crappie captured, 14% were considered memorable-sized (>11.8 inches), 43% were considered…
Smallmouth Bass catch rates were below average (0.03 Smallmouth Bass per 15 minutes of electrofishing) in 2025. Of the Smallmouth Bass captured, 50% were considered memorable-sized (
Largemouth Bass catch rates were below average in 2025 (0.21 Largemouth Bass per 15 minutes of electrofishing). Of the Largemouth Bass captured, 7% were considered preferred-sized (15 inches), and 60% were considered…
Bluegill catch rates were above average in 2025 (2.19 Bluegill per 15 minutes of electrofishing). Of the Bluegill captured, 48% were considered quality-sized (>5.9 inches). Bluegill provide an excellent fishing…
Channel Catfish catch rates were high in 2025 (0.24 Channel Catfish per 15 minutes of electrofishing). Of the Channel Catfish captured, 65% were considered quality-sized (>16 inches). Channel Catfish are often found…
The Pool 17 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 17
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 17 of the Mississippi River except where the digest prints its own line.
Site-specific rows on the Mississippi River Pool 17
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, singly 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 17
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 17
Where in Illinois is Pool 17 of the Mississippi River?
Pool 17 of the Upper Mississippi River descends 20 miles from Lock & Dam 16 in Muscatine, Iowa to Lock and Dam 17 near New Boston, Iowa (River Miles 457-437). Rock Island and Mercer Counties, Illinois Maps show it in Mercer County.
Where can I check the flow on Pool 17 of the Mississippi River?
Nothing measures it in our data.
Where can a kayak put in on Pool 17 of the Mississippi River?
2 boat ramps on the IDNR layer; try Mississippi River – Pool 17 Blanchard Island RA Boat Ramp.
What can I take home from Pool 17 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 17 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 17 of the Mississippi River?
black crappie lead the outlook (excellent); IDNR also names white crappie, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Which Illinois tackle counter is nearest Pool 17 of the Mississippi River?
Sunset Marina, about 25 miles away, tops the shop list.
Where can I wade or fish from shore on Pool 17 of the Mississippi River?
Away from public sites, an owner yes is required.
Is Pool 17 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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