Illinois
Rock River at Byron
Location Snapshot
Rock River at Byron is a northern Illinois mainstem reach with a coolwater river fishery. The principal supported target is walleye, with smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and white bass adding additional species variety to the same fishery.
Current River Rating
Excellent · 91
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Tuesday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Favorable Factors
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 6390 CFS
- Gage Height
- 7.1 ft
- Water Temperature
- 54.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 11:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05440700 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Mostly clear
Temperature
38°F
Feels like
32°F
Wind
4 mph E
Wind gust
7 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 6:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 7 AM
Clear
Temp 38°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 11 AM
Clear
Temp 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 3 PM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 7 PM
Clear
Temp 55°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 11 PM
Clear
Temp 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 3 AM
Clear
Temp 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 67°F / Low 38°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 71°F / Low 41°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 71°F / Low 52°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 6 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 71°F / Low 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 27 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
The Rock River at Byron is a Mississippi tributary. Illinois describes the pools where the Leaf River comes in south of Byron.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Rock River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
White Bass
Morone chrysops
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Popper-style surface flyGeneral warmwater surface family. Not an insect Hatch event.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral warmwater streamer family. Not a baitfish Hatch event.
- Crayfish-style flyGeneral subsurface family. Crayfish forage is not a Hatch insect.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Ogle, Illinois
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Ogle
Management Category
Inland warmwater river
Regulation Scope
Rock River at Byron.
Regulation Summary
Rock River at Byron: Illinois inland fishing regulations on the Byron reach. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, White Bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…