WATER CONDITIONS: Download the Mississippi River fishing guides and navigation charts to locate special fishing areas.
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 all along the river system are higher than normal for this time.
FISHING AREA: Upper Mississippi River-Pool 13 - Savanna Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels continue to be up a little; normal pool is 11.0 feet; the extra water is great for putting your boat in.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair; Fish near brush with crappie minnows. Fishing activity has slowed due to the windy conditions, but will hopefully improve by the weekend.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Look for fish to be in shallower water and biting on wax worms under a bobber.
FISH: Bass ... Fair to Good; Some are being reported using the anglers favorite baits.
FISH: Catfish ... Good; An angler reported catching 8 from a boat with crawlers; stink Bait, leeches, and night crawlers are producing deep and shallow.
FISH: Walleye ... Fair to Good; Look for fish near the wing dams with crankbaits.
FISH: White Perch ... Good; 6 and 8 pounders were pulled from the river this past week with crawlers.
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 a little above normal for this time of year. Plan to go fishing during the July 4th holiday weekend and have fun with the family.
FISH: Smallmouth Bass ... Good; Sylvan Slough is producing by the rocks with chartreuse jigs and minnows.
FISH: White & Striped Bass ... Fair; Fishermen are catching a few with worms, crawdads, leeches, and jigs tipped with minnows fairly deep, in 10 to 12 feet of water.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Good; Look for fish along the channel and wing dams; during the evenings try out the shallows and mud flats.
FISH: Perch & Drum ... Good; Big ones! 115 to 20 pounders are being caught with worms, leeches and crawdads by the dam.
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 so you are always ready to fish.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River -Pool 14 -15 - Rock Island Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water conditions are a little high; the river has cleaned up and o.k. for fishing.
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair to Good; An angler reported catching a 1 pound sized fish in a local pond.
FISH: Bass ... Fair; Most anglers finding fish suspended in deeper levels.
FISH: Catfish ... Pretty Good; Anglers are getting bites with Sonny's dip bait and leeches close to the shorelines.
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 high; the cooler weather temps are sparking a little more fishing interest this week; have a safe July 4th holiday weekend on the water.
FISH: Bass ... Fair to Good; Area lakes and ponds are producing with worms; best during early morning and later evening hours.
FISH: Walleye ... Fair to Good; Look for fish near the wing dams with a jig and minnow.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Good; Anglers are catching from the shallower water; creeks best but also in the river; they are biting on a little bit of everything you throw at them; worms, minnows, stink bait, leeches and cut baits.
FISH: Flathead Catfish ... Good; spawning conditions; Drag a leech or night crawler along the bottom of the scoured holes using 2 oz. weights.
FISH: Perch ... Good; Fish are actively biting on worms drug across the bottom.
NOTE: Reported by Dry Dock at Gladstone. They have the fishing supplies, bait and super friendly service. One year ago this area was sand bagging because of flooding.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River -Pool 21 - Quincy Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are good, but the water clarity is a little dirty. Have a safe July 4th!
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair to Good; Siloam Springs is producing a few fish with frozen bait shrimp near structure and rocks.
FISH: Hybrid Striper ... Good; Some are successful with a jig and big minnow near the locks.
FISH: Channel Catfish ... Fair ; A few are being taken with worms and stink bait from the backwater sloughs and along the shorelines.
FISH: Flathead Catfish ... Fair; Fish are moving in closer to the shorelines at night to feed.
NOTE: Wiemelts Bait shop in Quincy has fishing supplies and are selling fishing license.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Lock & Dam 21
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are falling Area ponds good.
FISH: Crappie .. Fair; Fish have moved deeper near brush; anglers using minnows and catching some at Wyconda rock query near the drop offs..
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair: Area ponds best with red wigglers. ,FISH:. Catfish ... Good; The river levels are good and many fishermen are successful using stink bait.
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 still up some and muddy. Enjoy a fishing trip during this holiday weekend!
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Lots of fish being caught with pink with silver and white sparkle jigs; Charlie Brewers slider with white body and chartreuse tail or pink jig head; jig heads 1/8 oz. by casting near structure, brush, and cover from a boat or along the bank. Johnson beetle spins are also popular.
FISH: Bluegill ... Fair to Good; Wax worms are producing under a bobber in the shallower water depths near structure.
FISH: Striped Bass ... Fair to Good; The area duck backwater lakes were draining and now filling back up from higher water levels which has provided excellent fishing for stripers; anglers using minnows, lures, Yum craw bugs in black and blue colors, and beetle spins.
FISH: Bass ... Good; Mepps Arglia 1/4 oz. natural spinner baits, Yum blue with black craw bugs, crankbaits, and lures are producing for the fishermen.
FISH: Flathead Catfish ... Good; Sonny's stink bait and neon night crawlers are producing.
FISH: Perch... Good; Toss a line with a worm on it in 4 feet of water and reel them in.
NOTE: Reported by Flood Field: See them for fishing supplies and friendly fishing information.
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Upper Pool 25 - Lower Pool 26 - Grafton Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water levels are fairly steady. Plan a fun family fishing trip during the holiday weekend.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Fish are being taken from the shallower water by dragging a worm by them.
FISH: Striped Bass ... Good; Offer a jig in the current near cover and rocks.
FISH: Catfish ... Good; Sonny's stink bait is producing fish in shallower water near the shorelines.
NOTE: The Brussels ferry is open.
NOTE: Cassens Bait Shop at Grafton has fresh bait and needed fishing supplies. Check out his new building. He's selling lots of bait!
FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Lower Pool 26 - Alton
WATER CONDITIONS: River levels are fairly normal; fishing activity is slower, but the weather temps. are more enjoyable; have a safe July 4th holiday.
FISH: Catfish ... Good; Skip jack and night crawlers are attracting attention below the dam.
NOTE: The next scheduled catfish tournament is July 11 at the Alton Marina. Call Bluff City Tackle for more information.
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 up just a little; great levels for fishing! Fishing is good and the weather temperatureshave been more enjoyable this week.
FISH: Crappie ... Fair to Good; Quite a few minnows are being used by the anglers near cover or stumps and brush piles in deeper water levels.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Crickets are very popular under a bobber in shallower water depths near docks, structure, or brush. Red wigglers are also being used.
FISH: Bass ... Fair to Good; Soft plastics are the bait of choice this week during earlier morning and later evening hours.
FISH: Striped Bass ... Fair to Good; Some anglers are successful using large minnows.
FISH: Catfish ... Good; Fish were biting on cut bit, large minnows, and liver. Night crawlers are also selling at the bait shop.
NOTE: Fishing is a great family activity and a nice way to enjoy nature. Have a great July 4th holiday weekend!
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.
FISHING AREA: Lower Mississippi River - Belleville Area
WATER CONDITIONS: Water clarity is stained with muddy river banks.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Nice sized fish are being taken from area strip pits and river oxbows; put an orange in the cricket bucket for better results.
FISH: Bass ... Fair to Good: Fish are being caught from area strip pits and lakes by casting soft plastics near cover; best during early morning and later evening hours.
FISH: Catfish ... Good; Some nice sized fish have been caught in the river and at local lakes by using cut bait in deep water levels. Cut chicken gizzards into four pieces and soak in garlic salt ovenight. Fish love them!
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 fairly close to normal. It's a great time to fish!
FISH: Crappie ... Fair; Fish are biting on minnows in deeper water near brush; some anglers vertically jigging.
FISH: Bluegill ... Good; Many anglers are getting bites with crickets. Fish from the bank or a boat.
FISH: Bass ... Fair to Good; Best during early morning and later evening hours when fish are feeding; soft plastics, spinners, and buzz baits are popular.
FISH: Catfish ... Good; Fish the shallower water of creeks, coves, and slough areas with minnows and night crawlers. Anglers also use live bluegills near brush or log piles along the shorelines.
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.