Rock River - Rockton Pool
Info / Winnebago County
Family Friendly
Yes
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
Yes
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
No
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 155 acres
The Rock River arises in Washington County, Wisconsin and enters Illinois near Rockton, IL. It flows in a general southwesterly direction for approximately 165 miles before entering the Mississippi River near Rock Island, IL. The river drains 10,280 square miles, with about ½ of this area in Illinois. After the confluence with the Pecatonica River near Rockton, the Rock River is a 7th order stream.
The Illinois portion of the river has major population centers at Rockford, Byron, Oregon, Dixon, Sterling/Rock Falls, and Rock Island. The remainder of the Illinois portion of the basin is primarily agricultural. Three major tributaries enter the Rock River in Illinois: 1) The Pecatonica River with a drainage area of 2,641 square miles enters the Rock River near Rockton, 2) the Kishwaukee River with a drainage area of 1,257 miles enters just south of Rockford, and 3) the Green River with a drainage area of 1,131 square miles enters the Rock River almost at the mouth of the river near the Quad Cities. The main-stem has low-head dams at Rockton, Rockford, Oregon, Dixon, 2 at Sterling/ Rock Falls, and a split dam at Milan.
IDNR Fisheries uses designated pool sections formed by these low-head dams as a descriptive function and as a fish management unit. Each of these designated pool sections have their own unique habitat and water quality features that affect the fishery within these pools. The connectivity for the fish populations in the Rock River allows for unlimited downstream emigration with very limited upstream immigration over these low-head dams.
Contact
IDNR Region 1 Streams Biologist
Jubilee College State Park 13921 West Route 150 Brimfield, IL 61517
Send Message
309-370-5296
Description
The Fordam Pool section (RRF) and the Rockton Pool section (RRR). These two sections have a combined length of approximately 27 river miles in length (2,192 surface acres) from the Fordam Dam to the Beloit Dam in Beloit, Wisconsin. The small tributary streams that enter this section are Spring Creek, South Kinnikinnick Creek, North Kinnikinnick Creek, Dry Creek, and Turtle Creek. The Fordham Pool section also has the major tributary stream addition of the Pecatonica River. The Pecatonica River originates in Wisconsin and enters Illinois in Stephenson County just north of Winslow. It flows in a southeasterly direction through eastern Stephenson County and western Winnebago County and enters the Rock River near Rockton. The Pecatonica River is approximately 92 miles long in Illinois and drains 805 square miles. The total drainage area of the Pecatonica Basin, including the Wisconsin portion of the stream, is 2,641 square miles.
Fishery History
The Rock River was sampled each fall from 2020 through 2025 by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Region 1 Fisheries crew. The purpose was to collect and evaluate the sport fish populations in the Illinois section of the Rock River. State endangered and State threatened fish species were also collected and documented with the surveys.
Fordam Pool section (RRF) and the Rockton Pool section (RRR):
Black Crappie - Black Crappie were collected in every survey from this section with a high collection rate of 27 fish per hour in 2025. These fish ranged from 5 to 12 inches in length.
Bluegill – Bluegill were collected in every survey from this section with a high collection rate of 41 fish per hour in 2025. These ranged from 1 to 8 inches in length.
Channel Catfish – Channel Catfish were collected in every survey from this section with an average collection rate of 8 fish per hour and a total of 54 fish. These fish ranged in size from 12 to 26 inches with 67% of the stock size fish over 18 inches in length. The body condition rating was good with the average Wr values over 90.
Flathead Catfish – Flathead Catfish are not effectively sampled during cold water boat electrofishing surveys. Hoop net or warm water boat electrofishing surveys will be utilized in the future to evaluate the Rock River Flathead Catfish population.
Largemouth Bass – Largemouth Bass were collected in every survey from this section with a low collection rate of 3 fish per hour. These fish ranged in size from 4 to 17 inches in length. A low-density Largemouth Bass population is present in the Rock River. The rocky habitat and stream flow favors the Smallmouth Bass population.
Muskellunge – No Muskellunge were sampled in this section during any of the survey years. A low-density Muskellunge population is found in the Rock River from fish that have escaped from stocked lakes in the watershed.
Northern Pike – Northern Pike have been sampled in this section in all the survey years. These fish ranged in size from 9 to 37 inches in length. A low-density Northern Pike population is found in the Rock River and is supported by natural reproduction.
Rock Bass – Rock Bass have been sampled in this section in all the survey years. These fish ranged in size from 4 to 9 inches in length. A low-density Rock Bass population is found in the Rock River and is supported by natural reproduction.
Sauger – Sauger were collected in every survey from this section with an average collection rate of 5 fish per hour and a total of 37 fish. These fish ranged in size from 7 to 21 inches with 40% of the stock size fish over 15 inches in length. The body condition rating was good with the average Wr values over 90. A low-density Sauger population is found in the Rock River and is supported by natural reproduction.
Smallmouth Bass – Smallmouth Bass were collected in every survey from this section with an average collection rate of 43 fish per hour and a total of 258 fish. These fish ranged in size from 3 to 18 inches with 25% of the stock size fish over 14 inches in length, 2% over 17 inches in length. The body condition rating was good with the average Wr values over 90. A high-density Smallmouth Bass population is found in the Rock River and is supported by natural reproduction.
Walleye – Walleye were collected in every survey from this section with an average collection rate of 7 fish per hour and a total of 59 fish. These fish ranged in size from 6 to 22 inches with 64% of the stock size fish over 15 inches in length, 13% over 18 inches in length. The body condition rating was good with the average Wr values over 90. A moderate-density Walleye population is found in the Rock River and is supported by stocking and natural reproduction.
White Bass – White Bass were collected in 2 out of 6 survey years from this section at an average low collection rate of .3 fish per hour. These fish ranged from 8 to 10 inches in length.
White Crappie – White Crappie were collected in 3 of the 4 survey years in this section at a low collection rate of .8 fish per hour. These fish ranged from 2 to 10 inches in length.
Yellow Perch – Yellow Perch were collected in 3 of the 4 survey years in this section at a low collection rate of .6 fish per hour. These fish ranged from 3 to 6 inches in length.
Site Regulations
From the Wisconsin State Line downstream to the Confluence with the Mississippi River, including tributaries:
Smallmouth Bass: 14-inch minimum Length Limit with a daily harvest limit of 3 fish. All Smallmouth Bass must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15th.
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