Illinois
Rock River at Byron
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
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
Sunday, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 3370 CFS
- Gage Height
- 5.62 ft
- Water Temperature
- 82 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05440700 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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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
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
77°F
Feels like
86°F
Wind
2 mph NW
Wind gust
2 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 12:15 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
Sat 3 AM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 7 AM
Fog
Temp 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 11 AM
Clear
Temp 83°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 3 PM
Clear
Temp 87°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 7 PM
Clear
Temp 81°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 11 PM
Clear
Temp 70°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Fog
High 87°F / Low 70°F
Chance 15%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 83°F / Low 61°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 60°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 28 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 86°F / Low 60°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 43 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
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Fishing Overview
Rock River at Byron, Illinois. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065). USGS 05440700 is the bounded interior-Illinois Byron / Oregon corridor, not Rockton 05437500 on the Wisconsin line, not Como 05443500, not Joslin 05446500, and not a Wisconsin Rock River clone. Flow Context remains default-deny.
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
Fishery overview
The Rock River at Byron is northern Illinois's interior Rock River walleye and smallmouth fishery between Rockford and Dixon. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 05440700 using live water temperature, discharge, and stage. Rockton at the Wisconsin border lacks live 00010 and is not this pin. This is not a Wisconsin state clone. Flow Context remains default-deny.
Target species
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rock River walleye at Byron. USGS 05440700 live 00010. Rockton 05437500 and Joslin 05446500 are not substituted.
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rock River channel catfish at Byron.
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rock River smallmouth at Byron.
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
White Bass
Morone chrysops
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rock River white bass at Byron.
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Rock River mainstem in Ogle County at Byron, downstream of Rockford dams and upstream of Dixon. Distinct from the Wisconsin headwaters and from the Quad Cities mouth at Milan.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public Rock River access is documented on the Byron–Oregon–Dixon corridor. Catalog coordinates are USGS 05440700.
Stocking information
IDNR Rock River profiles document walleye, sauger, smallmouth, and white bass. Sauger is notes-only. Confirm current official stocking and harvest notices.
Official sources
Illinois inland fishing regulations apply. This pin is interior Illinois Rock River at Byron, not Wisconsin Rockton and not the Mississippi confluence. Confirm current official IDNR regulations.
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
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