WATER CONDITIONS: Download the Mississippi River fishing guides and navigation charts to locate special fishing areas. The northern stretches of the river have more varied habitat types than the southern parts. A large percentage of the habitat in the north is made up of sloughs, river lakes and side channels. Levees confine the river in many areas of the southern portion. A more complex and higher quality fishery is available in the northern portions due to the diversity of the habitat. The river contains many, several different types of aquatic habitat, depending on several factors such as, bottom type, current, and depth of the river. Backwater areas, such as side channels, river lakes, and sloughs provide additional fishing opportunities.
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: Get out and enjoy the splended magnificent colors of autumn from a river bank; the impressive reflections on the water are inspiring and delightful.
FISHING AREA: Upper Mississippi River-Pool 13 - Savanna Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are fairly steady, up just a speck to 11.97 feet. Surface temperatures are near 50 degrees.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Anglers are catching a few using minnows or wax worms.
NOTE: Debbie at Milo and Beavers in Savanna is very friendly and helpful with current fishing information.
BEST FISHING AREA: Mississippi River-Pool 14-15 - East Moline
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are up some with surface temperatures in the high 40's to low 50's. Creeks are running pretty good.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Fish are starting to move into the brush piles in the Mississippi River; biting on minnows.
FISH: Walleye & Sauger ... Good; A few were reported near the Hampton Dam and wing dams, and also next to the rock piles at the Arsonal; fish with a jig and minnow; anglers also using a jig and twister tail; most popular color is chartreuse.
FISH: Catfish ... Slow; Smaller sized fish are being caught, but not in numbers.
NOTE: Lake Storey is also 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 and keep your tackle boxes stocked.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River -Pool 14 -15 - Rock Island Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels on the Mississippi are a little high and near 50 degrees. Not much fishing activity - pretty slow due to weather conditions.
FISH: Crappie & Bluegill ... Fair; A few fish continue to be picked up at Hennipen Canal; fluctuating water levels may be a problem.
FISH: Walleye & Sauger ... Fair; Weather conditions have slowed activity; look for fish near the wing dams with crankbaits trolling or on the back side.
NOTE: Croegaerts Great Outdoors at Rock Island has needed fishing supplies for your tackle box.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River -Pool 18 - Gladstone Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are now at 10.67 feet; flood stage is 14.0 feet. Levels have been up and down.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Anglers are catching nice sized fish with minnows from the backwater areas with minnows. Look for clearer water and no current areas.
FISH: Walleye & Sauger ... Good; Anglers are heading for the New Boston area and picking up fish with a jig and minnow.
FISH: Carp ... Good; Big ones have been pulled in this past week!
NOTE: Gladstone Lake is open; very good news for the fishermen in the area!
NOTE: Reported by Dry Dock at Gladstone. They have the fishing supplies, bait and super friendly service. Happy Halloween!
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River -Pool 21 - Quincy Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels were up approximately 4 feet to 13.17 feet; flood stage is 17.0 feet.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair; Fluctuating water levels have been challenging for the fishermen; look in the sloughs with a jig and minnow.
FISH: Walleye ... Fair; Search for them with a jig and minnow, rubber shaddy, and a bossy shad with tin foil noise. Siloam Springs is a hot spot this week.
FISH: Sauger ... Fair to Good; An angler reported having good luck catching them at Siloam Springs.
FISH: Catfish ... Fair; The wing dams have been producing this past week.
NOTE: Lots of interest in waterfoul and deer hunting activities in this area.
NOTE: Wiemelts Bait shop in Quincy has fishing supplies and fishing license.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Lock & Dam 21
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are at 1225 feet; flood stage is 17.00 feet; Angling activity is slow since the water levels jumped up.
FISH: Crappie ... Slow to Fair; Fish were starting to come in before the raise; anglers had been getting bites with jigs and minnows.
FISH: Walleye ...Slow to Fair; Fish were starting to bite on chartreuse, red, or white jigs and minnow.
NOTE: Reported by Game Masters in Quincy which has friendly service and fishing supplies.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Pool 25 - 26
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are higher in the Mississippi at 23.55 feet; flood stage is 26.0 feet; the Illinois River is high; creeks have water running. Lots of rainfall received recently.
FISH: Crappie ... Good; Fluctuating water levels stirred things up, but anglers arestill picking up a few fish with wax worms and chartreuse colored jigs from the backwater areas.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Good; An angler reported catching from 12 to 20 fish before 10:00 a.m. with Sonny's stink bait; night crawlers are also selling at the bait shop.
NOTE: Reported by Flood Field: See them for fishing supplies and friendly fishing information. Happy Halloween!
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Upper Pool 25 - Pool 26 - Grafton Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are up to 17.22 feet with flood stage being 18.0 feet; the river has a strong current; creeks have water due to recent rainfall.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Some fish are being taken from Horseshoe Lake with minnows.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Fair; Anglers fishing from the river bank with night crawlers.
NOTE: Archery deer season is in full swing in this area. Lots of activity. Duck season begins this Saturday.
NOTE: Cassens Bait Shop at Grafton has fresh bait and needed fishing supplies. Stop by and check out his new building.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Lower Pool 26 - Alton
WATER CONDITIONS: River levels are low in this area; it was dropped out early in the week, possibly anticipating water coming down from the north. Fishing success is a little slower due to the fluctuating water levels.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair; Fishermen are using wax worms near shallow brush.
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair; Crickets are popular this week near weed lines.
FISH: Catfish ... Slow to Fair; Anglers are trying with skip jack and herring, but it's fairly slow due to weather conditions.
NOTE: Beware of deer! - use caution while driving, especially thru wooded areas.
NOTE: Please practice boating safety and wear life jackets when on the water. Dress appropriately for the cooler weather.
NOTE: Bluff City Tackle at Alton has everything you need for a successful fishing trip. Go see Robert at Bluff City Tackle in Alton for current fishing information. He is very helpful and friendly.
FISHING AREA: Lower Mississippi River - Wood River Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are at 17 feet; creeks are running pretty high; rainfall received again this past week.
FISH: Crappie ... Good; Several fish have been picked up from approximately 6 feet of water with minnows; lakes, ponds and backwater areas are producing.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Lots of fishermen looking near docks, structure, or brush.
FISH: Bass ... Slow to Fair; Angling success is hit and miss with soft plastics and crankbaits.
FISH: Catfish ... Slow; Only a few have been reported recently.
FISH: Trout ... Very Good; Hot spot of this area is Beaver Dam; offer Berkleys rainbow power bait, red/hot pink glitter, green, or florescent orange; also marshmallows, rooster tails, and fly fishing are popular.
NOTE: It's Snagging season until December 15th!
NOTE: Lots of interest in the archery deer hunting season and waterfoul season in this area.
NOTE: Go see Mallory Sports in Wood River, home of the Big Cat Club called Mid Rivers. A great place to get needed fishing supplies. Very friendly service!
FISHING AREA: Lower Mississippi River - Belleville Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are up some; Crappie and bluegill fishing is very good!
FISH: Crappie & Bluegill ... Very Good; Hot spots in the area this week are at Caryle Lake,Keysport Marina, Summerfield, and Greenville Lake on Jigs and minnows or wax worms.
FISH: Bass ... Fair; Anglers picking up a few with soft plastics.
FISH: Catfish ... Fair; The river is best near the Casino Queen Boat, near the grain handling facilaties, and near the Cahokia Police Station with garlic chicken gizzards, liver, and skip jack.
NOTE: The Arnold area gaging site water levels are at 21.41 feet with 24 feet being flood stage.
NOTE: The St. Louis water levels are at 23.59 feet with flood stage at 30.0 feet.
NOTE: Snagging season is open until December 15th.
NOTE: Poppy's Bait & Tackle in Belleville is a great place to go for your fishing supply needs. Nancy is very helpful with fishing information.
FISHING AREA: Lower Mississippi River - Anna/Jonesboro Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are up and down depending on rainfall. Beautiful fall colors are arriving in Southern Illinois.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Fish are moving up into shallower water levels near brush or cover and hitting on minnows.
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair to Good; Many anglers are successful with crickets or wax worms under a bobber near weed lines or structure. Fish from the bank or a boat.
FISH: Bass ... Fair; Fish are hitting on spinnerbaits and soft plastics in area farm ponds and lakes.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Fair; Anglers are buying some night crawlers at the bait shop. Stop by the shop and check out the 7 pound and 12 pound catfish in the tank!
FISH: Hunting activities are popular in this area.
NOTE: The Cape Girardeau water levels gaging site are at 29.82 feet with 32.0 feet being flood stage.
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: Three of the fishing lakes at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Randolph County are open. The lakes are the 21 acre Derby Lake; stocked with trout and also has 10 inch length range crappie,(electric trolling motors only) ; the 134 acre East Lake has an excellent largemouth bass and crappie population (a gasoline motor 10 horse power limit or electric trolling motors), and the 15 acre RV Lake has nice bluegill (no boat ramp and electric motors only allowed). For more information call 618/295-2700.
NOTE:. Reported by Trail of Tears Junction at Anna-Jonesboro. The bait shop for that area. Check them out for needed tackle box supplies. Check out the fish in the display tank.