Gilbert Lake

Alton Pool is one of many pools located on the Mississippi River. This section lies on the Illinois and Missouri border. All water contiguous with the flow of the Mississippi River may be fished with either an Illinois or Missouri license. Fishing within tributaries requires a license for that state. Ensure familiarity with creel limits for each state. Limestone escarpments rise abruptly from the river’s edge, making this section of the river very scenic. Numerous eagle feeding areas, heron rookeries and waterfowl feeding areas are located along the pool adding wildlife viewing to the list of recreational opportunities available on Alton Pool. The Mississippi River is highly noted as a means of moving goods into the interior of the country. As a result, barge traffic is heavy. Fleeting areas are numerous. During summer, large recreational craft from the many harbors and yacht clubs on both sides travel along the pool.

Gizzard shad make up the bulk of the forage base, based on abundances. But by utilization, emerald shiner, river shiner, various chubs and minnows comprise the majority of food. Spottail shiner, red shiner, mosquito fish and young-of-the-year of several species are used as well. Small bluegill are an important part of the food chain. Crayfish, aquatic insects and their larvae, small mussels and snails are used at times.

Sauger, walleye and white bass make upstream spawning migrations. Sauger and walleye often tend to collect in the tailwater area below Dam #25 in the fall, but those numbers are only a small portion of the population. The actual spawning run beings with rising water levels and temperatures during March, and seems to peak with the highest water level of the spring. This often occurs during the first half of April. White bass enter tributaries or collect at the tailwater during April and May to spawn over gravel, rock and sometimes coarse sand bottom.