Growing at the confluence of two rivers, the Quad-Cities offers an abundance of river activities. The Mississippi and Rock have fine boating and fishing opportunities; anglers and canoeists also may want to avail themselves of the nearby Wapsipinicon (Wapsi) River in Iowa, and the Hennepin Canal, which joins the Green River near Colona, linking the Rock and Illinois river systems.

Boating

The Mississippi is a great boating river, though it can be a little intimidating for boaters from other areas.

Most boaters familiar with the river feel that boats smaller than 16 feet belong in more protected waters than the Mississippi, where winds can quickly whip up waves of two to three feet, and large pleasure boats and towboats can set up huge wakes.

Boaters should avoid crowding tows in front and back; leave 500 yards. If something happens to a boat in front of a tow, the tow can't stop in much less than a mile. It is always a good idea to ensure that the tow captain can see you.

Outside the channel -- which is well marked by buoys -- there are wingdams stretching out from shore as often as every 100 yards. It's best not to try to cross the mark on the surface of the water indicating a wingdam unless a boater knows there's enough water. Many times -- but certainly not always -- buoys are placed at the end of a wingdam.

Using the locks is not difficult. Boats without VHF-FM marine radios can use a pull chain, marked by a sign on the rail on top of the wall, to request locking through. Larger boats should enter the lock first and go clear to the far end. All movement near locks is at no-wake speed because wakes bounce off concrete walls and accentuate. Locks in this area drop lines down the lock wall for pleasure boats to hold on to. Boaters should stay at least 300 feet away from a dam unless they are using the locks.

As in boating everywhere, a life jacket must be within easy reach, children must wear them -- and boaters should wait until the day is over before consuming alcohol.

Public launch ramps

• Corps of Engineers access area, Illinois 92 west of Andalusia
• Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, west of Andalusia
• Loomis Landing, 2nd Street, Andalusia
• Sunset Park, 18th Avenue at the Mississippi River, Rock Island
• Ben Butterworth Parkway, River Drive at 55th Street, Moline
• Illiniwek Park, Hampton
• Shadybrook Park, Rapids City
• City Park, Port Byron
• At the beach, Buffalo, Iowa
• Credit Island Lane and River Drive, Davenport
• Main Street at the Mississippi River, Davenport
• 12th Street at the Mississippi River, Davenport
• Leach Park, 12th Street at the Mississippi River, Bettendorf
• Wisconsin Street at the Mississippi River, LeClaire Note: Some Corps facilities charge a user fee.

Public marinas

• Sunset Marina, Rock Island; 793-3364
• Island Marina, Campbells Island, East Moline; 755-0492
• Princeton Beach Marina, 203 River Dr., Princeton, Iowa; (319) 289-5024
• Princeton Landing, 411 River Dr., Princeton, Iowa; (319) 289-5293
• Leisure Harbor, 701 Main Ave., Cordova; (309) 654-2233

Fishing on the Mississippi

The Mississippi has more of its length in Illinois than in any other state; it forms Illinois' western border for 580 miles.

Quad-Cities anglers are blessed not only with many quality sport-fishing venues, but with many species of fish for which to angle. The resources of the Mississippi provide fishermen with sport as fine as can be found anywhere in the area.

Native fish species include channel, blue and flathead catfish; spoonbill catfish, aka paddlefish (a leftover from prehistoric days); carp; freshwater drum, aka sheephead; largemouth and smallmouth bass; walleye and its kissin' cousin, sauger; several panfish, including bluegill, rock bass, crappie and sunfish; and white or striped bass.

There are 85 major access areas.

Fishermen may choose among several types of fishing areas:

• Tailwater areas below each of the navigation dams are stretches of fast, turbulent water caused by the passage of water through the gates of the dam. Tailwaters are the most heavily fished areas throughout the year, providing the most constant good fishing because fish congregate in rough waters. Fishing for walleye and sauger is best in tailwater habitat from late fall through late spring; white bass and drum are taken from here in summer.
• Lake and slough habitats are the most picturesque and favored by many fishermen who do not care to venture out onto the main river. Both habitats have little or no current and may have aquatic vegetation; lakes have deeper water. These areas are the best for crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and bullhead from spring through fall. Ice fishing produces good catches of bluegill and crappie in many of these spots.
• Side channels are departures from the main channel and may be as wide and deep as the main channel, or so shallow that they are close to slough habitat. All side channels have current during normal water stages. Fish commonly taken here are channel catfish, white bass, crappie and drum.
• Main channel border habitat is the area between the edge of the navigation channel and the closest land, or shallow water over submerged land. The emergent or submergent wing dams along the main channel are in this habitat, and these often provide excellent fishing for white bass, catfish, drum, sauger and walleye.
• Main channel is the remaining type of habitat. A poor place to fish for safety reasons.

  Fishing on the Rock Never improved for navigation, the Rock is one of the freest-flowing rivers in the region, running broad and flat between open fields for much of its course.

  Upriver from the Quad-Cities, White Pines and Lowden state parks offer great fishing. The river hosts channel catfish, walleye, northern pike, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, sauger, white bass, bluegill, flathead catfish, drum and bullhead.

  There are 21 major access areas to the river.

Hot fishing spots

• Many bank-fishing venues provide quality angling opportunities, including the Mississippi River at locations such as Hampton's Dam 14 tailrace, Moline's Butterworth Parkway, Sylvan Slough in both Moline and Rock Island, and the Sunset Park area in Rock Island.
• The Rock River can provide fast action, especially at the Steel Dam and the Sears Dam, both near Milan.
• The Hennepin Canal Parkway offers miles of pristine bank-fishing opportunities.
• Lake George, located within Loud Thunder Forest Preserve west of Andalusia, is one of the prettiest and most peaceful places to fish in the area. It has a boat-rental, concession and bait shop.
• Anglers with access to a boat can try their luck at hundreds of spots on the Mississippi, including wing dams, lateral dams, roller dams, rip-rap shorelines and vast backwaters.
• Boat anglers should not overlook the Rock River, either. Many 50-pound flatheads have been taken annually from this waterway.
• Lake Carlton in Whiteside County is a small lake in scenic Morrison-Rockwood State Park which focuses on crappie and bluegill, but includes muskie.
• Timely fishing advice, tips, equipment and live bait are available at these area shops: Crogaert's Great Outdoors, Rock Island; E-Z Livin Sports Center, Milan; and Carbon Cliff Bait and Tackle.