Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Sep to May
Check Price Maker's PageRivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Illinois River (Alton Pool) Fishing Guide
Illinois
The Illinois River's Alton Pool, 80.2 miles from Grafton up to the La Grange Lock and Dam, where Illinois DNR calls channel catfish the primary game fish and blue and flathead catfish reach trophy sizes.
Part of the Illinois River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Illinois River (Alton Pool) for largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, sauger and hybrid striped bass. November is outside the confirmed prime months here: white bass is prime Mar to Apr, Jul.
There are 12 shops nearby (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle), including Bullseye Bait & Tackle in O'Fallon.
Season at a Glance
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Largemouth Bass
White Bass
Crappie
Channel Catfish
Blue Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Sauger
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Hybrid Striped Bass
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Agency: Illinois DNRSpawning: Illinois DNR: Largemouth Bass; Crappie; Channel Catfish; Blue Catfish; Flathead Catfish
Season Rules & Licenses
- Illinois River, Alton Pool (2026): largemouth and smallmouth bass 12 inch minimum, 6 a day with no more than 3 smallmouth; walleye, sauger and hybrids 14 inch minimum, 6 a day; white bass, striped bass and their hybrids: no daily limit under 17 inches, 3 a day at 17 inches or more. Waterfowl management areas may be closed to fishing as posted. Illinois DNR 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need an Illinois fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Parts of the Illinois River
- Main PageIllinois RiverThe Illinois River, from the Peoria Pool's sauger, walleye and catfish water to the Alton Pool above Grafton, where Illinois DNR calls channel catfish the primary game fish.
- Rivers & Streams · IllinoisIllinois River (Peoria Pool)The Illinois River at Peoria, with channel and flathead catfish, sauger, walleye, and largemouth and smallmouth bass.
- Rivers & Streams · Illinois · You're HereIllinois River (Alton Pool)The Illinois River's Alton Pool, 80.2 miles from Grafton up to the La Grange Lock and Dam, where Illinois DNR calls channel catfish the primary game fish and blue and flathead catfish reach trophy sizes.
Illinois River (Alton Pool) Species
Largemouth Bass
No agency season found.
Spawning: May to Jun, per Illinois DNR
View Species
White Bass
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Prime: Mar to Apr, Jul
View Species
Crappie
No agency season found.
Spawning: Apr to Jun, per Illinois DNR
View Species
Channel Catfish
No agency season found.
Spawning: May to Jul, per Illinois DNR
View Species
Blue Catfish
No agency season found.
Spawning: Mar to Aug, per Illinois DNR
View Species
Flathead Catfish
No agency season found.
Spawning: Jun to Aug, per Illinois DNR
View Species
Sauger
No agency season found.
View Species
Hybrid Striped Bass
No agency season found.
View SpeciesSpecies per Illinois DNR.
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Public domain, CC BY-SA 2.0.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Largemouth Bass
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 7 and 8 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Avid Bass Fly Line · WF7F or WF8FCheck Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for October · #2-10Bass Popper · Bass Popper AssortmentCheck Price
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelLew's Mach Baitcasting Combo · 7 ft 2 in medium heavy, fast, right handCheck Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 50 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 4 to 5 inSoft Stick Bait · Yamamoto Senko 5 inCheck Price
- Lure for November · 6 to 10 inTexas-Rigged Worm · Zoom Trick WormCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/4 to 3/4 ozBass JigSee Options
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Illinois River (Alton Pool):
- Bullseye Bait & Tackle, O'FallonWebsite
- Durhams Tackle, St PetersWebsite
- Bass Pro Shops, St CharlesWebsite
Map of Illinois River (Alton Pool)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Nothing at its peak this month.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
54°F high, 33°F low
About 3.3 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
11,510 cfs
Most years 5,963 cfs to 26,580 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 9 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 05586100, 1938 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks designed to set in the corner of a fish's mouth, for fresh and saltwater bait fishing.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Egg Sinkers and Swivels
Egg sinkers, swivels, and beads for slip-sinker and Carolina rigs.
Check PriceApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Apr to May
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jun to Aug
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Shops Near Illinois River (Alton Pool)
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near Illinois River (Alton Pool)
Farther Out
Guide
STL Catfishing Trophy Guide Service
St Louis, Missouri
Mississipi and Missouri Rivers 314-486-3052
Per their website: Blue Catfish