Post by Tim Rhee on Nov 11, 2006 12:43:23 GMT -5
some info I found on dnr.state.il.us/fish/06/06%20BASS%20STATUS%20REPORT.htm
HOMER LAKE - The largemouth bass population on this lake has been great for the past 5 years. Until 2005, the Illinois Natural History Survey was conducting a bluegill research project on this lake and stocked largemouth bass each year. These stockings helped maintain the number of bass in the lake. During the 2005 survey, 42 bass per hour of electrofishing were collected. Based on bass collected in 2005 that were larger than 8 inches, 48% were larger than 12 inches and 19% were larger than 15 inches. The bass regulation at Homer Lake is a 14-inch minimum length limit with a 6 fish daily creel limit.
LAKE OF THE WOODS - This lake provides a good chance for an angler to catch a largemouth bass. A good spawn was produced in 2005 and should provide for a strong year class of bass. During the 2005 fall survey, 123 bass per hour of electrofishing were collected. Approximately 37% of the bass were longer than 12 inches and 18% longer than 15 inches. Bass density is starting to increase from strong year classes the past few years. The lake contains bluegill, crappie and shad, so the lake has plenty of forage for the bass population. The bass regulation on Lake of the Woods is a 15-inch minimum length limit and a 1 per day harvest restriction. Lake of the Woods has an electric motor only restriction.
CLINTON LAKE - The fall 2005 survey resulted in a catch rate of 34.4 bass per hour of electrofishing. There has been a decline in bass numbers since 2002. There are good numbers of larger bass in the lake, with 77% being over 12 inches in length, 29% over 15 inches, and 1% larger than 20 inches. Approximately 6% of the bass are over 16 inches. The last good spawn was in 2002 and is the year class that is responsible for the majority of the bass larger than 15 inches. Unfortunately there have been weak year classes since 2002 and very few fish to replace this strong year class.
In order to improve the smallmouth bass fishery, the State Hatchery System started stocking smallmouth bass in Clinton Lake in 2001. In 2002, the catch rate for smallmouth bass was the highest it has been since 1996. The smallmouth bass catch rate declined in 2003 but rebounded in 2004 to the same rate as in 2002. Unfortunately the catch in 2005 was the lowest in over 10 years.
The bass regulation on Clinton Lake is a 16" minimum length limit with a 3 fish daily creel limit. Major access areas have bulletin boards with area rules, fish creel and size limit regulations and other visitor information posted. All state boating, hunting, fishing and park regulations remain in full force where applicable. Various portions of the lake are designated as no-wake, electric motor only, or no boat areas for safety and security reasons. Areas closed to public access include: the water intake area for the power plant (new buoy line across lake), the spillway and dam areas east of the spillway, and the bank or water surface of the discharge flume (ditch). Boats and fishermen are not allowed in designated swimming areas when swimming is permitted. Please pay special attention to such areas designated by the maps, posted signs, and buoys. The entire portion of the lake between the DeWitt County Highway 14 Bridge and the Illinois Route 48 Bridge is designated as a fish and waterfowl refuge and is closed to all public use for the period of October 10th through March 31. The land portions of the site in this designated area will still be open for authorized hunting activities (except waterfowl) during this time period. As on all large lakes, Clinton Lake can become very rough when the wind exceeds 15 m.p.h. All boaters are advised to be aware of the weather. Although there is no horsepower or speed limit on Clinton Lake, shallow areas and underwater hazards do exist in numerous portions of the lake. Boaters should operate their craft accordingly.
DAWSON LAKE - The largemouth bass population on this lake provides anglers with a great opportunity to catch a quality largemouth bass. During the night survey in 2003, the catch rate was 215 bass per hour. The high catch rate was due to a large number of bass being collected under 8 inches. In 2004 the catch rate declined to128 bass per hour, but is still a high catch rate for largemouth bass. The catch rate increased in 2005 to 158 bass per hour. Based on bass collected during the night survey in 2005, the size structure of the bass population looks good. Approximately 39% of the bass were over 12 inches and 17% over 15 inches. There are indications that large bass are growing into the void left by the bass kill in 2001. The increase in aquatic vegetation has limited fishing in some areas but has provided refuge for young fish. The bass regulation on Dawson Lake is a 15-inch minimum length limit with a 6 fish daily creel limit. Dawson Lake has a no wake restriction on motors over 10 horsepower.
HOMER LAKE - The largemouth bass population on this lake has been great for the past 5 years. Until 2005, the Illinois Natural History Survey was conducting a bluegill research project on this lake and stocked largemouth bass each year. These stockings helped maintain the number of bass in the lake. During the 2005 survey, 42 bass per hour of electrofishing were collected. Based on bass collected in 2005 that were larger than 8 inches, 48% were larger than 12 inches and 19% were larger than 15 inches. The bass regulation at Homer Lake is a 14-inch minimum length limit with a 6 fish daily creel limit.
LAKE OF THE WOODS - This lake provides a good chance for an angler to catch a largemouth bass. A good spawn was produced in 2005 and should provide for a strong year class of bass. During the 2005 fall survey, 123 bass per hour of electrofishing were collected. Approximately 37% of the bass were longer than 12 inches and 18% longer than 15 inches. Bass density is starting to increase from strong year classes the past few years. The lake contains bluegill, crappie and shad, so the lake has plenty of forage for the bass population. The bass regulation on Lake of the Woods is a 15-inch minimum length limit and a 1 per day harvest restriction. Lake of the Woods has an electric motor only restriction.
CLINTON LAKE - The fall 2005 survey resulted in a catch rate of 34.4 bass per hour of electrofishing. There has been a decline in bass numbers since 2002. There are good numbers of larger bass in the lake, with 77% being over 12 inches in length, 29% over 15 inches, and 1% larger than 20 inches. Approximately 6% of the bass are over 16 inches. The last good spawn was in 2002 and is the year class that is responsible for the majority of the bass larger than 15 inches. Unfortunately there have been weak year classes since 2002 and very few fish to replace this strong year class.
In order to improve the smallmouth bass fishery, the State Hatchery System started stocking smallmouth bass in Clinton Lake in 2001. In 2002, the catch rate for smallmouth bass was the highest it has been since 1996. The smallmouth bass catch rate declined in 2003 but rebounded in 2004 to the same rate as in 2002. Unfortunately the catch in 2005 was the lowest in over 10 years.
The bass regulation on Clinton Lake is a 16" minimum length limit with a 3 fish daily creel limit. Major access areas have bulletin boards with area rules, fish creel and size limit regulations and other visitor information posted. All state boating, hunting, fishing and park regulations remain in full force where applicable. Various portions of the lake are designated as no-wake, electric motor only, or no boat areas for safety and security reasons. Areas closed to public access include: the water intake area for the power plant (new buoy line across lake), the spillway and dam areas east of the spillway, and the bank or water surface of the discharge flume (ditch). Boats and fishermen are not allowed in designated swimming areas when swimming is permitted. Please pay special attention to such areas designated by the maps, posted signs, and buoys. The entire portion of the lake between the DeWitt County Highway 14 Bridge and the Illinois Route 48 Bridge is designated as a fish and waterfowl refuge and is closed to all public use for the period of October 10th through March 31. The land portions of the site in this designated area will still be open for authorized hunting activities (except waterfowl) during this time period. As on all large lakes, Clinton Lake can become very rough when the wind exceeds 15 m.p.h. All boaters are advised to be aware of the weather. Although there is no horsepower or speed limit on Clinton Lake, shallow areas and underwater hazards do exist in numerous portions of the lake. Boaters should operate their craft accordingly.
DAWSON LAKE - The largemouth bass population on this lake provides anglers with a great opportunity to catch a quality largemouth bass. During the night survey in 2003, the catch rate was 215 bass per hour. The high catch rate was due to a large number of bass being collected under 8 inches. In 2004 the catch rate declined to128 bass per hour, but is still a high catch rate for largemouth bass. The catch rate increased in 2005 to 158 bass per hour. Based on bass collected during the night survey in 2005, the size structure of the bass population looks good. Approximately 39% of the bass were over 12 inches and 17% over 15 inches. There are indications that large bass are growing into the void left by the bass kill in 2001. The increase in aquatic vegetation has limited fishing in some areas but has provided refuge for young fish. The bass regulation on Dawson Lake is a 15-inch minimum length limit with a 6 fish daily creel limit. Dawson Lake has a no wake restriction on motors over 10 horsepower.