Nations Most Shark Infested River Runs Through Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois

Deep water has always given me the heebie-jeebies. It’s not the fact that I’m a bad swimmer; in fact, I do rather well in the water. No, it’s more to do with the “not knowing” what’s lurking underneath you, whether you're in a pond, lake, river, or the ocean. Sure, movies like Jaws and Deep Blue Sea thoroughly ingrained the killer shark fear into me in some capacity, but the real-life adventures of Jeremy Wade and River Monsters solidified that there are some real beasties lurking in that murky water. But I digress…

Most folks assume sharks stick to the ocean, and that once you’re inland, you’re in the clear. But it turns out, that’s not entirely true, especially if you live anywhere near the mighty Mississippi River.

Yep, that same river that rolls through Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois has earned the top spot on Animal Planet HQ’s list of the Most Shark-Infested Rivers in the United States.

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And the culprit? The bull shark.

This particular species is a freshwater marvel (or menace, depending on your nerves). Thanks to its unique “euryhaline” ability (meaning it can survive in both saltwater and freshwater), the bull shark has been spotted increasingly farther inland across the United States. We’re talking over 1,000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. One was even caught near Alton, Illinois. Verified. Photographed. Five feet long. Thoughts are that this bull shark had come further inland through freshwater to give her offspring the best chance for survival. With few to no natural predators, even at a young age, the bull shark is well-suited for murky river life.

WANT TO READ MORE: Could a Maneater be Stalking the Rivers of Iowa & Illinois?

There have also been reports and sightings closer to Iowa, including stories of sharks near Davenport and confirmed incidents in St. Louis. While these aren’t exactly weekly events, they prove that these sharks aren’t just coastal curiosities. They’re extremely capable travelers, using the Mississippi like their own highway, either in search of food or a safe nursery zone for their young.

Bull sharks are no slouches either. They can cover hundreds of miles in a matter of days, thrive in a variety of conditions, and aren’t afraid to explore. And that, my friends, is how a known ocean predator ends up in America’s heartland.

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Before you cancel your next fishing trip, though, know this: sightings are extremely rare, and bull sharks prefer warmer waters. So, even if you're swimming in the state of Mississippi or Louisiana, I'd still worry about the alligators more. Besides, the chilly winter temps in the upper Mississippi usually send anything resembling a shark packing. Still, the idea that you could be sharing water with a shark in Iowa or Illinois is enough to keep your feet out of the deep end. Me? I'll stick with the boat, or shore... shore is good.

So while you're more likely to catch a carp than a shark in the Tri-States, the next time you dip your toes into the river, just remember, nature loves to surprise us. AND Jaws was inspired by a real event in history...