OutdoorSignal
IL · RIVER · LIVE CONDITIONS

Mississippi River — Grafton, Il Fishing Conditions

Updated 28 minutes ago · 1 attached data sensor

86/100Excellent
SHOULD YOU FISH TODAY?

Tomorrow looks better for fishing logistics

Today is 86/100 and tomorrow is 97/100. The forecast improves enough to favor waiting if your schedule is flexible. The tomorrow comparison changes forecast weather while carrying forward the latest measured water context, so recheck the gauge or tide before leaving.

Today86/100
Tomorrow97/100
Decision confidenceLimited
River flow53,200 cfs

Current streamflow is 53,200 cfs. Flow is rising by about 2% over 24 hours.

Wind6 mph

Wind should be relatively manageable for most fishing logistics.

What we still don't know
  • No authoritative species evidence is attached yet, so this page deliberately does not recommend specific fish species.
  • No qualified multi-year monthly flow baseline is available yet, so the current flow cannot be labeled high or low for the season.
Streamflow53,200 cfsUSGS
24h flow trend+2%vs ~24h ago
Gauge height16.09 ftUSGS
24h gauge change+0.12 ftvs ~24h ago
Air temp79°FNWS
Wind6 mphN
WHAT CHANGED

Current score drivers

  • Streamflow is up 2% versus roughly 24 hours ago.
  • Current wind is about 6 mph.
  • Current precipitation probability is 38%.
NEXT 24 HOURS

Best planning windows

Wed 6 am86/100

light wind · near dawn/dusk

3 mph wind · 46% rain
Wed 6 pm93/100

light wind · low rain risk · near dawn/dusk

3 mph wind · 18% rain
Wed 8 pm93/100

light wind · low rain risk · near dawn/dusk

3 mph wind · 1% rain

These rank weather/light/tide logistics only. They are not bite forecasts.

7-DAY PLANNING OUTLOOK

Weather-based trip planning

Wed93/10073–96°F · wind up to 6 mph
Thu97/10074–96°F · wind up to 7 mph
Fri97/10073–95°F · wind up to 6 mph
Sat97/10073–96°F · wind up to 10 mph
Sun93/10072–90°F · wind up to 10 mph
Mon93/10067–81°F · wind up to 10 mph
Tue97/10062–75°F · wind up to 7 mph

Future scores primarily reflect forecast weather while using today's water conditions as the baseline. Recheck before the trip because river flow, tides and water temperature can change.

SPECIES INTELLIGENCE

Confirmed fish targets

No authoritative species occurrence evidence is attached to this water yet, so the site deliberately does not recommend trout, bass or any other target merely because the temperature looks compatible.

Species recommendations require stored authoritative/editor-confirmed occurrence evidence. Broad temperature compatibility is not enough.

GEAR FOR THESE CONDITIONS

Useful starting points

Packable rain shell

Meaningful precipitation risk is in the forecast.

See options on Amazon →

Multi-weight jig assortment

Multiple weights let you adjust to current speed and depth.

See options on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

PROVENANCE

Where this page gets its facts

  • USGS: Mississippi River At Grafton, Il (sensor ID 05587450)

Water data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Weather forecasts/alerts: National Weather Service (NWS). Coastal tide/observation data: NOAA CO-OPS where applicable. Derived scores are site calculations, not official agency products.

ACCESS + REGULATIONS

Verify before you fish

Fishing license

Licensing and exemptions vary.

USFWS license finder →
Illinois rules

Seasons, limits and special reaches can change.

Verify official rules →
Access

A sensor coordinate is not proof of legal public access.

Check location/access context →
KEEP EXPLORING

Nearby data-backed waters

TRANSPARENCY

What this score means

This is a planning score based on measurable conditions. It is not a bite forecast and cannot guarantee catches. Missing facts are left unavailable rather than invented.

Read the methodology →