Photo of Horseshoe Lake: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Illinois river pools
The Mississippi River Pool 26, the Prairie State snapshot
In Jersey and Madison counties lies Pool 26 of the Mississippi River, a navigation pool with its own IDNR page. There are 20,181 acres in the pool, per IDNR. A reciprocity agreement with Iowa and Missouri covers this stretch. Godfrey is the nearest Census place, under a mile from the reference point.
Boaters use 7 boat ramps from the IDNR map. Height and flow reach USGS from 2 USGS gauges.
20,181acres (IDNR)
7mapped ramps
2USGS gauges
2counties
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Location (IDNR)Pool 26 extends from Lock & Dam 26 located near Alton, Illinois upstream to Lock & Dam 25 located near Winfield, Missouri.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
History
Fishery background for the Mississippi River Pool 26
IDNRAngling Opportunities: On Pool 26, Pohlman's Slough, just above Grafton where the Illinois River flows into the Mississippi, is a good fishing spot, as are other backwaters in the area. The Piasa Island Chute above Alton also is a good fishing spot.
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 26 of the Mississippi River except where the digest prints its own line.
Site-specific rows on the Mississippi River Pool 26
All
Nongame Species Combined:
100 total fish daily 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 …
Blue or Channel Catfish
: 20 fish daily limit.
Flathead Catfish
: 10 fish daily limit.
Largemouth, Smallmouth, or Spotted Bass
Site-specific regulations on the IFishIllinois page, as printed, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Reciprocity on the Mississippi River Pool 26
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 26
Where in Illinois is Pool 26 of the Mississippi River?
Pool 26 extends from Lock & Dam 26 located near Alton, Illinois upstream to Lock & Dam 25 located near Winfield, Missouri. Maps show it in Jersey and Madison counties.
Where can I check the flow on Pool 26 of the Mississippi River?
Mississippi River at Grafton, IL and Mississippi River Pool Lock And Dam 26 at Alton,Il posts the number in the flow band.
Where can a kayak put in on Pool 26 of the Mississippi River?
7 boat ramps on the IDNR layer; try Mississippi River – Pool 26 Martins Landing Boat Ramp.
What can I take home from Pool 26 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 26 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 26 of the Mississippi River?
Its fish are not listed by IDNR.
Which Illinois tackle counter is nearest Pool 26 of the Mississippi River?
Cassen's Live Bait, under a mile away, tops the shop list.
Where can I wade or fish from shore on Pool 26 of the Mississippi River?
Away from public sites, an owner yes is required.
Is Pool 26 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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