WATER CONDITIONS: The Mississippi River travels 580 miles in length along the western border of Illinois. Download the Mississippi River fishing guides and navigation charts to locate special fishing areas.
The mighty Mississippi is powerful and unpredictable! Always wear life jackets, use caution, and just be careful!
Click on the hyperlinks below to see more info on water levels:
(Illinois Department of Natural Resources Water Levels...realtime...
http://il.water.usgs.gov/nwis-w/IL/datasum.components/owrtable.cgi
(St.Louis Corps District Water Levels)..........................
http://mvs-wc.mvs.usace.army.mil/
(Rock Island Corps District Water Levels)...realtime............
water_mvr_usace_army.htm
(USGS Water Levels)...realtime..................................
USGS water conditions.htm
FISHING AREA: Upper Mississippi River-Pool 12 -
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels in the river system are good for fishing in this area.
NOTE: Water levels near Dubuque are a foot higher at 7.4 feet and predicted to raise to 8.1 feet. Flood stage is 16.0 feet.
FISHING AREA: Upper Mississippi River-Pool 13 - Savanna Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are good. Fish are biting!
FISH: Crappie ... Good; Anglers using minnows as fish come up into shallower levels near brush and cover.
FISH: Bass ... Fair to Good; Look for fish near brush and cover as they come up to check out possible bedding areas.
FISH: Walleye ... Fair to Good; jigs and minnows or jigs and twister tails are producing in deeper water near the dam.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Fair to Good; Fish are biting on night crawlers along the weed lines and near cover in shallower water.
NOTE: Water levels near Fulton are at 7.8 feet and raising to 8.2 feet; 16.0 feet is flood stage.
NOTE: Reported by Mary Lou at Milo and Beavers in Savanna who is very friendly and helpful with current fishing information.
BEST FISHING AREA: Mississippi River-Pool 14-15 - East Moline
WATER CONDITIONS: The river levels are up some; Rainfall received recently in this area. Weather conditions have slowed fishing activity some.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair; Fish are being taken from area farm ponds and strip pits with jigs and minnows and wax worms. Popular jig colors have been chartreuse, pink, yellow, and black.
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair to Good; farm ponds and strip pits are producing on red worms and wax worms under a bobber.
FISH: Largemouth, Striped, and Smallmouth Bass ... Fair; Anglers using jigs tipped with a minow and crankbaits.
FISH: Walleye ... Fair; Reports that fish spawned out early and may be difficult to catch now; One 27 inch fish was reported on leeches.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Fair; Pretty good sized fish are being taken with bank poles in the Rock River along the shorelines with worms, mini's, stink bait and crayfish.
NOTE: Lake Storey in this area is an awesome Muskie Lake with documented catches of longer than 50 inches.
NOTE: Reported by Dave at Booze and Bait in East Moline. Check out their fishing supplies soon. Great Bait available!
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River -Pool 14 -15 - Rock Island Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are good and raising, now at 8.0 going up to 9.0 feet; Flood Stage is 15.0 ft.; Foggy conditions during early morning hours this past week.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Picking up some fish with minnow in Lake George and farm ponds. Pan fishing is holding up pretty well.
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair to Good; Fish are being taken from area ponds and Lake George with worms.
FISH: Striped Bass ... Slower; Fish on beds; Anglers using jigs and twister tails at Steel Dam.
FISH: Walleye ... Slower; Jigs and twister tails or jigs and minnows are getting some bites near Lock and Dam 14 and 15. The Rock River is also a little slower this week.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Slower; Lots on the Mississippi being caught; Anglers also finding fish at Steel Dam and in the Rock River with night crawlers and dip bait.
FISH: Blue Catfish ...Slower; The Mississippi is producing on shad or shad guts and dip bait in the deeper holes. Steel Dam is also a good area.
NOTE: Keep a sharp eye on the weather conditions; be alert and be safe!
NOTE: Reported by Croegaerts Great Outdoors at Rock Island which has needed fishing supplies for your fishing trip.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River -Pool 18 - Gladstone Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are now at 4.8 feet and raising to 6.5 feet; flood stage is 10.0 feet.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair; They are biting on minnows.
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair; Fishermen are catching some with wax worms.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Fair; Anglers are catching a few from the creeks with worms.
FISH: Perch ... Fair to Good; Nice sized fish can be caught with worms. Fun to catch!
NOTE: Please wear a blaze orange hat if heading to the woods before 1:00 p.m. - the close of turkey hunt hours in Illinois.
NOTE: Downstream at Canton Lock & Dam 20 levels are near 7.5 feet and raising to 11.1 feet; 14 feet is flood stage.
NOTE: Burlington water levels are up a little this week.
NOTE: Reported by Dry Dock at Gladstone. Go see them for fishing supplies, great bait, and friendly service.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River -Pool 21 - Quincy Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are at 13.0 feet; flood stage is 19.0 feet. Cooler weather temperatures.
FISH: Crappie ... Good; Fish are full of eggs and biting on jigs and minnows in shallower water levels; blue is a good jig color.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Fish are being reeled in from shallow depths of area ponds and lakes with red worms, wax worms, and night crawlers.
FISH: Bass ... Good; Road Runners are popular and effective, Road Runner jigheads are weight, hook, and flash all in one! also using BooYah Spinnerbaits; roll it through the water, rip and drop, or knockit off cover; bass love to eat them!
FISH: Walleye ... Slow; Fish are biting, but activity is pretty slow.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Good; Lots! Anglers catching several nice sized fish near the Meyer Dam with Stink bait and Night crawlers.
NOTE: Reported by Wiemelts Bait shop in Quincy. Pick up fishing supplies and get your fishing license. Stop by soon! Please be careful when near the water and always wear a life jacket.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Lock & Dam 21
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are at 8.2 feet and going up to 12.3 feet; steady, but low for this time of year. Fishing is picking up. 2 inches of rainfall received recently.
FISH: Crappie ... Good; Pre spawn conditions; Fish are moving up into the shallows and hitting good on minnows and jigs. Black and chartreuse are good jig colors. Area ponds and Mark Twain are producing.
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair to Good; Pre spawn conditions; Look for fish coming up into shallower water and biting on red wigglers, pieces of night crawlers, and wax worms.
FISH: Bass ... Fair; Turning on more, but spotty; pitching and flipping jigs near the mouths of the creeks close to cover is productive.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Fair; Anglers catching fish with worms and stink bait in the river fairly close to the banks.
FISH: Blue Catfish ... Fair to Good; Nice sized fish have been taken with shad sides and shad guts recently.
NOTE: Levels at the Saverton Lock & Dam 22 are 9.4 feet and raising to 13.0 feet; Levels at the Clarksville Lock & Dam are 20.2 feet and raising to 23.2 feet; 25.0 feet is flood stage.
NOTE: Turkey Hunting activities in the area and the spring planting season is also underway. Use caution!
NOTE: Reported by Game Masters in Quincy. They have friendly service and fishing supplies. Check them out to fill your tackle boxes.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Pool 25 & Pool 26 - Grafton Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Mississippi River levels are up and very muddy from recent heavy rainfall and extra large hail in the area; levels at 18.4 feet at the Winfield Dam; flood stage is 26.0 feet. Surface water temperatures are in the upper 50's.
WATER CONDITIONS; water levels are good at Grafton; levels at 16.2 feet and steady; 18.0 feet is flood stage. Lots of minnows and lots of night crawlers selling!! Fishing activity has slowed some this past week.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Horseshoe Lake has been producing on minnows.
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair to Good; Fish the area ponds, strip pits, and lakes with crickets, minnows, and red worms near the weed lines.
FISH: Bass ... Fair to Good; Topwater action baits and spinner baits working well; churn up some action with a clacker Buzz Bait in Pearl white charteuse shad color; chatterbait is effective with a rip and drop approach; and crankbaits near brush also getting hits.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Fair to Good; Four ladies reported catching 12 catfish with red wigglers on their two hour fishing excursion.
NOTE: Reported by Cassens Bait Shop at Grafton. He has fresh bait and needed fishing supplies.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Lower Pool 26 - Alton
WATER CONDITIONS: River levels are o.k. but the current is moving fast. Alton Lock & Dam 26 levels are yp to 13.9 feet and raising to 15.1 feet; flood stage is 21.0 feet.
NOTE: Please be careful when near the river. Wear life jackets, watch weather conditions, and other boaters.
FISH: Crappie ... Good; Some fish have spawned, some have eggs and are ready to spawn; Anglers picking up with minnows and jigs. Coffeen Lake and Sanchris Lake are good places to fish.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Spawning conditions; Some fish are on beds; Crickets and red wigglers are the baits of choice floating under a bobber over bedding areas in ponds.
FISH: Largemouth Bass ... Good; Look for fish on beds in smaller sized lakes and area ponds; plastics in watermellon, green pumpkin, black and blue colors, and white lizzards are attracting attention; topwater bait and small spinners also producing.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Good; Bank poles baited with night crawlers and stink bait are attracting attention.
FISH: Blue Catfish ... Good; Fish weighing 50 to 100 pounds are being caught with skip jack and shad in deep water on Pool 26.
FISH: Paddlefish ... Fair to Good; Anglers are snagging and catching a few fish near the Alton Dam.
FISH: Asian Carp ... Good; Lots! Go get them!
NOTE: Reported by Bluff City Tackle at Alton - they have everything you need for a successful fishing trip. Go see Bluff City Tackle in Alton for current fishing information. They are very helpful and friendly!
FISHING AREA: Lower Mississippi River - Wood River Area
WATER CONDITIONS: The River levels are good; Surface water temperatures in the upper 50's. Scattered rainfall received this past week. Fish are biting!
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Lots of minnows selling! Farm ponds,area lakes, and Horseshoe Lake are producing for the fishermen; Anglers using jigs and minnows.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Wax worms and crickets are the baits of choice this week! Nice sized fish are being take from area ponds. Lots of fun to catch them!
FISH: Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Striped Bass ... Fair to Good; Big Fish are being reeled in topwater baits; spinners and beetle spins in all colors (even purple) with nickel blades; Some fish are full of eggs; pre and post spawn conditions.
FISH: Catfish ... Good; Fun Catching them! Nice eating size fish in the 20 pound range are being taken with stink bait while bank fishing. Some casting for shad or skip jack and using cut bait in deep levels.
FISH: Paddlefish ... Fair; Successful snagging smaller sizes; limit of two.
FISH: Asian Carp ... Lots!!! Snagging them. This week two 30 pounders, two 40 pounders and one 80 pounder pulled in!
NOTE: Reported by Mallory Sports in Wood River; a great place to get all of your fishing gear. Wonderful service and help!
FISHING AREA: Lower Mississippi River - Belleville Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Levels are up to 17.5 feet in St.Louis and raising to 18.4 feet; flood stage is 30.0 feet; levels are also down to 14.32 at Chester and falling. Fishing is good!
FISH: Crappie ... Fair; Fish are hitting on jigs and minnows and coming up depending on the water temperatures. Look for them near brush or cover.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Hitting good in the river on wax worms, minnows, and some with red wigglers near cover and weed edges.
FISH: Largemouth Bass ... Fair; Fish along the wind blown banks with buzz baits, road runners, and spinner baits at Carlyle Lake.
FISH: White & Striped Bass ... Fair; Minnows and wax worms are attracting attention near the tressel at Carlyle Lake.
FISH: Catfish ... Fair; Liver, shinners and shad are producing in fairly shallow water near laydowns, stumps, and weed beds.
NOTE: Sauger ... Fair to Good; Nice numbers of fish in the spillway tailwater at Carlyle Lake.
NOTE: Illinois High School Students prepare for 2012 IHSA Bass Fising Tournament with state finals being conducted at Carlyle Lake on May 4-5th.
NOTE: Rend Lake is also good place to catch catfish in this area.
NOTE: Reported by Poppy's Bait & Tackle in Belleville. Get Well wishes to Nancy! Check them out at 518 South 1st Street! A great place to get bait and fishing supplies! Stop by soon!
FISHING AREA: Lower Mississippi River - Anna/Jonesboro Area
NOTE: The area landscape is beautiful in Southern Illinois. Catalpa trees are in full bloom this week!
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are good. At the Thebes gage site levels are up to 22.1 feet and raising; 33.0 feet is flood stage. Selling minnows and crickets!
FISH: Crappie ... Good; Post spawn conditions; Fish are biting on jigs and minnows in approximately 5 feet of water.
FISH: Bluegill & Redear ...Good; Look for them in shallow water near weed lines and also check out bedding areas with pieces of night crawlers, red wigglers, and crickets.
FISH: Bass ...Fair to Good; Anglers getting hits on topwater spinners, buzz baits, or road runners. Night crawlers and jigging also working, just cast near cover.
FISH: Catfish ... Fair to Good; Fishermen continue to find fish along the shorelines with night crawlers.
NOTE: The Mississippi River is on the top ten best fishing list for pan fish in Illinois. The 6,990 acre Williamson county Lake has lots of crappie.
NOTE: River levels at Chester are at 20.4 feet and are raising and falling.
NOTE: Kincaid Lake is a good place to catch Muskie! Hitting on Swimmin Joe crankbaits, white colored crankbaits, white spinnerbaits, and Red Tiger colored crankbaits while casting and trolling in deep water.
NOTE: Spring Turkey hunting activities in the area. Please wear a blaze orange hat if heading to the woods before 1:00 p.m. - the close of turkey hunting hours in Illinois.
NOTE: Reported by Trail of Tears Junction at Anna-Jonesboro. The bait shop for that area. Check them out for needed tackle box supplies.