Other good areas are below the dams in Rockford, Dixon and Oregon. The source of the river is on the high limestone fells above Mallerstang Common, near the North Yorkshire border, and makes its way across eastern Cumbria, with the hills of the North Pennines to the East, and the fells of the Lake District to the west, to Carlisle. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Illinois portion of the river has major population centers at Rockford, Dixon, Sterling/Rock Falls, and Rock Island.


The beginning of a river, when it flows quickly with lots of energy, is called a young river. They always flow downhill because of gravity.









Sites were all sampled using an electrofishing boat, which is generally less effective at collecting catfish due to their propensity to dwell near the bottom of the river. Rocks easily eroded by water more likely form river rocks. The largest collected was just over 5.6 pounds. The river generally averages about 15 feet in depth in the main channel, but between Dixon and Sterling, depths may drop to 50 feet. The formation of river rocks requires moving water and smaller rocks. This is quite good since bass were not the primary target. Channel catfish are extremely abundant in the Rock River in most all areas. A survey was done in 2018.

Sears and Steel dams downstream to confluence with Mississippi River, State of Illinois (Rock Island County).6 fish daily creel with no more than 1 walleye greater than 27" in total length15" minimum length limit with a 20-27" protected Slot Length Limit.Note: There is a closed season on smallmouth bass. Fishing should pick up where the Green River enters below Green Rock. Smallmouth bass are common and abundant in the Rock River. This is great news for fishermen looking for good size fish. Search Britannica The speed of the river determines how quickly the rock becomes a river rock. From where it departs, Wisconsin to the mouth of the Kishwaukee River, the prime fishing spots are the dams at Rockton and Rockford and the tributary streams, which include the Pecatonica River and Willow Creek. The Rock River starts in Pipestone County, Minnesota, approximately 13 miles (21 km) northeast of the town of Pipestone, and flows initially southwardly through Rock County, Minnesota, and Lyon County, Iowa, where it turns southwestward into Sioux County, Iowa. Typical rocks with jagged edges can fall into the bottom of a river or stream bed or remain on the river bank. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It flows into the Big Sioux River in Sioux County, 6 miles (10 km) north of Hawarden. Rivers usually begin in upland areas, when rain falls on high ground and begins to flow downhill.

Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Data from a total of 244 channel catfish were collected. Categories 

Location: The Rock River begins just to the west of the village of Brandon in Metomen township, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin and flows southward to the Illinois border ending 325 miles later at the Mississippi River at the Quad Cities in Illinois and Iowa.