Mississippi River - Pool 14

Major species: bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish, freshwater drum, sauger, walleye, white bass, white crappie

Most Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if eaten. Over 4.5 million meals of Iowa fish were eaten in 2018. Some limitations of eating fish may apply for young children and pregnant women. Fish are a good source of nutrients that promote healthy child development and is also part of a healthy diet.

Pregnant women, women wanting to become pregnant, breastfeeding mothers, and children under 12 years of age should monitor their fish consumption to ensure they are selecting fish that are low in mercury.

has many islands, side channels and backwaters. The river downstream of Princeton is constricted by the Fulton-Rock Island gorge and lacks side channel or backwater habitats. The Wapsipinicon River empties into Pool 14. The Iowa DNR’s Princeton Wildlife Management Area is located downstream of the mouth of the Wapsipinicon River. The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge extends downstream into Pool 14 to just upstream of Princeton, Iowa.