FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
POND CONSTRUCTION
How deep should my pond be?
A minimum depth of at least 7 feet in the southern part of the state to
10 feet in the northern part of Illinois should be maintained in one fourth
of the pond. Depths which range from 10 to 15 feet are even more desirable.
The water along the shoreline should be 3 feet deep to reduce the growth
of shallow water plants.
How
big should my pond be?
The ideal pond should be at least 1 acre in size when full. Smaller ponds
are difficult to manage for any length of time. Their fish populations
tend to be unstable and unpredictable. Excessive aquatic plants can seriously
interfere with recreational uses of the pond, and also, can provide too
many hiding places for small fish. Summer and winter fish kills occur
more frequently in small ponds because they are often shallow. Small ponds
can seldom support enough fishing pressure to make management worthwhile.
They are likely to dry up or provide marginal habitat during extended
period of below average rainfall.
During
construction, what can I do to help prevent weeds from taking over my
pond?
When ponds are constructed, certain precautions should be taken to help
prevent the growth of excessive aquatic vegetation. The pond should be
located in a site where drainage does not permit pollutants to reach the
pond. The lining of the beach areas with sand blankets, gravel beds or
fiberglass mesh mats should be done in an attempt to inhibit or prevent
rooted aquatic plant growth. The shoreline edges should be deepened to
3 feet or more at the time of construction. The will help prevent the
growth of excessive aquatic vegetation.
FISH STOCKING
Ponds in Illinois vary greatly in their fish stocking needs. The owners, managers and users of these pons also may differ in their sport fishing objectives, and require a wide selection of stocking options. Therefore, it is important to discuss pond stocking with a District Fisheries Biologist.
What
kind of fish can I stock?
Most Illinois ponds provide habitat that is suited for “warm water”
fish. The warm water fish species that are stocked with success are the
largemouth bass, bluegill, redear and channel catfish. The stocking of
“cool and “cold water” fish as an addition to the basic
fish stocking, under the proper conditions and timing, also produces good
fishing.
STOCKING OPTIONS
Before the fish stocking
decision is made, careful analyses of pond characteristics and angler
preferences must be made. Some of the factors affecting the decision include
pond type, size, depth, water chemistry, fertility, existing fish population,
expected fishing pressure and harvest, and most importantly, what fish
do the anglers want?
The most widely used and successful stocking combination for ponds in
Illinois is largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and redear sunfish.
These species are popular among fishermen, and are biologically adapted
to a wide variety of pond conditions. These species effectively utilize
natural and artificial foods, and are compatible with many other species
that might be stocked later. The concept of this stocking combination
is that the bluegill eat small aquatic insects and in turn serve as food
for bass. The bass control the numbers of small fish so that those remaining
grow to large size.
Can
I stock crappies in my pond?
Crappies, though popular, are not generally suitable for stocking in small
lakes and ponds. Crappies are prolific spawners and produce large numbers
of offspring which can quickly overpopulate. High numbers of bass, which
results in slow growth rates, must be maintained to provide desired rates
of predation on crappie.
Won’t
bluegill become stunted and overpopulate my pond if I stock them?
Some pond owners are reluctant to stock bluegill because of their reputation
for overpopulating. The cause for most bluegill problems is traceable
to overharvest of largemouth bass and/or to the overharvest of large bluegill.
Redear sunfish, in limited situations are substituted for the bluegill.
In most cases, they are generally stocked in combination with the bluegill
at a ratio of 70 percent bluegill to 30 percent redear. The redear is
a southern species and generally doesn’t survive the winter, north
of Interstate 80. Bass and bluegill are sometimes stocked alone if redear
and channel catfish are not desired.
How
big should the fish stocked be?
Fingerling fish (1 to 3 inches) are recommended for the initial stocking
of new or rehabilitated ponds. It is essential that no fish life exists
in the pond before the initial stocking. The single exception is to stock
breeder sized fathead minnows which will create an abundant food supply
that will eventually be eliminated by bass. Fathead minnows are available
from private fish dealers. Other minnow species can cause problems.
The largemouth bass in my pond are skinny. Can I improve their condition by stocking minnows?
The IDNR fisheries biologists recommend stocking fathead minnows at a rate of approximately two pounds per surface acre to supplement forage in new ponds prior to sport fish stocking. These minnows will spawn and produce thousands of young which are great growth boosters for young sport fish. However, stocking fathead minnows into ponds with existing predator populations is much less productive, since most minnows are eaten before they can produce offspring, and it takes five to six pounds of minnows to produce one pound of bass weight gain.
Alkalinity
|
Fertility
Rating |
Fertility
Key |
Approximate
Carrying Capacity LM Bass Lbs/Acre |
Approximate
Carrying Capacity Bluegill Lbs/Acre |
More
than 100 PPM (parts per million) |
Good
|
100
|
400 |
|
50
to 100 PPM |
Average
|
50 |
200 |
|
Less
than 50 PPM |
Fair
|
25 |
75 |
Number of Fingerling Fish Stocked per Surface Acre
Largemouth
Bass |
100 |
80 |
60 |
90 |
70 |
50 |
80 |
60 |
40 |
Channel
Catfish |
100 |
80 |
60 |
90 |
70 |
50 |
60 |
60 |
40 |
Bluegill |
1000 |
700 |
500 |
800 |
600 |
400 |
700 |
500 |
300 |
Bluegill/Redear Combination
Bluegill |
700 |
560 |
490 |
490 |
420 |
350 |
350 |
310 |
245 |
Redear |
300 |
240 |
210 |
210 |
180 |
150 |
150 |
140 |
105 |
The above pond stocking guide is based on the utilization of natural food and does not consider artificial feeding which can potentially increase the stocking rates. By initially stocking the correct numbers of fingerlings, a pond or lake will produce sport fishing in less time than by releasing smaller numbers of adult fish. Stocking a few adult fish in a new pond results in an excessive first spawn and stunted fish. If properly managed, bass, bluegill and redear need only an initial stocking as their natural spawning success is adequate to maintain sufficient numbers. Channel catfish do not normally maintain a population by natural reproduction in ponds in the presence of bass and bluegill. Therefore, supplemental stocking of 8 inch or larger channel catfish must be completed to sustain a fishable population.
After the initial stocking, there are numerous other fish stocking situations that may be used to develop or maintain a sport fishery. However, these more complex stocking options should only be pursued under the supervision of a fisheries biologist.
SOURCES OF FISH
Where
can I get fish to stock my pond?
IThere are several other local, statewide and regional
sources of fish for stocking ponds. Most local county soil and water
districts sell a variety of fish species. Also, there are numerous private
fish dealers and hatcheries throughout the Midwest that supply and deliver
live fish. A listing of these fish
dealers is now available.
Who
is my District Fisheries Biologist and how do I contact them?
Find the county your pond is located in from the list below and call the
appropriate District Fisheries Biologist
| Adams Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
Alexander Shawn Hirst (618)687-4546 |
Bond Fred Cronin (618)931-4217 |
Boone Wayne Herndon (309)968-7563 |
Brown Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
| Bureau Ken Clodfelter (815)454-2759 |
Calhoun Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
Carroll Rob Hilsabek (309)446-9143 |
Cass Dan Stephenson (217)785-4503 |
Champaign Mike Garthaus (217)784-4730 |
| Christian Dan Stephenson (217)785-4503 |
Clark Mike Mounce (217)345-2420 |
Clay Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
Clinton Barry Newman (618)443-2925 |
Coles Mike Mounce (217)345-2420 |
| Cook Frank Jakubicek (815)675-2319 |
Crawford Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
Cumberland Mike Mounce (217)345-2420 |
DeKalb Wayne Herndon (309)968-7563 |
DeWitt Mike Garthaus (217)784-4730 |
| Douglas Mike Mounce (217)345-2420 |
DuPage Andrew Plauck (815)675-2386 ext 315 |
Edgar Mike Mounce (217)345-2420 |
Edwards Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
Effingham Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
| Fayette Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
Ford Mike Garthaus (217)784-4730 |
Franklin Chris Bickers (618)993-7094 |
Fulton Rob Hilsabek (309)446-9143 |
Gallatin Kurt Daine (618)949-3432 |
| Greene Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
Grundy Rob Miller (630)553-6680 |
Hamilton Kurt Daine (618)949-3432 |
Hancock Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
Hardin Kurt Daine (618)949-3432 |
| Henderson Ken Russell (309)344-2617 |
Henry Ken Clodfelter (815)454-2759 |
Iroquois Mike Garthaus (217)784-4730 |
Jackson Shawn Hirst (618)687-4546 |
Jasper Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
| Jefferson Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
Jersey Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
JoDaviess Ken Clodfelter (815)454-2759 |
Johnson Chris Bickers (618)993-7094 |
Kane Andrew Plauck (815)675-2386 ext 315 |
| Kankakee Rob Miller (630)553-6680 |
Kendall Rob Miller (630)553-6680 |
Knox Ken Russell (309)344-2617 |
Lake Frank Jakubicek (815)675-2319 |
LaSalle Ken Clodfelter (815)454-2759 |
| Lawrence Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
Lee Ken Clodfelter (815)454-2759 |
Livingston Mike Garthaus (217)784-4730 |
Logan Dan Stephenson (217)785-4503 |
Macon Mike Mounce (217)345-2420 |
| Macoupin Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
Madison Fred Cronin (618)931-4217 |
Marion Chris Bickers (618)993-7094 |
Marshall Wayne Herndon (309)968-7563 |
Mason Dan Stephenson (217)785-4503 |
| Massac Chris Bickers (618)993-7094 |
McDonough Ken Russell (309)344-2617 |
McHenry Andrew Plauck (815)675-2386 ext 315 |
McLean Mike Garthaus (217)784-4730 |
Menard Dan Stephenson (217)785-4503 |
| Mercer Ken Russell (309)344-2617 |
Monroe Barry Newman (618)443-2925 |
Montgomery Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
Morgan Dan Stephenson (217)785-4503 |
Moultrie Mike Mounce (217)345-2420 |
| Ogle Ken Clodfelter (815)454-2759 |
Peoria Rob Hilsabek (309)446-9143 |
Perry Shawn Hirst (618)687-4546 |
Piatt Mike Garthaus (217)784-4730 |
Pike Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
| Pope Kurt Daine (618)949-3432 |
Pulaski Shawn Hirst (618)687-4546 |
Putnam Wayne Herndon (309)968-7563 |
Randolph Barry Newman (618)443-2925 |
Richland Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
| Rock Island Ken Clodfelter (815)454-2759 |
Saline Kurt Daine (618)949-3432 |
Sangamon Dan Stephenson (217)785-4503 |
Schuyler Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
Scott Jeff Pontnack (217)833-2811 |
| Shelby Mike Mounce (217)345-2420 |
St. Clair Fred Cronin (618)931-4217 |
Stark Rob Hilsabek (309)446-9143 |
Stephenson Ken Clodfelter (815)454-2759 |
Tazewell Wayne Herndon (309)968-7563 |
| Union Shawn Hirst (618)687-4546 |
Vermilion Mike Garthaus (217)784-4730 |
Wabash Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
Warren Ken Russell (309)344-2617 |
Washington Barry Newman (618)443-2925 |
| Wayne Chris Bickers (618)993-7094 |
White Kurt Daine (618)949-3432 |
Whiteside Ken Clodfelter (815)454-2759 |
Will Rob Miller (630)553-6680 |
Williamson Chris Bickers (618)993-7094 |
| Winnebago Wayne Herndon (309)968-7563 |
Woodford Wayne Herndon (309)968-7563 |
Shelbville Lake Complex Mike Mounce (217)345-2420 |
Carlyle Lake
Complex Barry Newman (618)443-2925 |
Rend Lake
Complex Mike Hooe (618)393-6732 |
FEDERAL WATERS ONLY Shawnee Natl. Forest
Chris Bickers
(618)993-7094
FEEDING FISH
Now
that I have stocked my pond, should I feed the fish?
Feeding is not recommended as a normal procedure in pond management. Caution
must be exercised not to use too much food. Too much unused food in a
pond may cause a fish kill due to the decomposition process. However,
if you insist on feeding your fish, there are several animal food manufacturers
offer fish food pellets for sale. These foods are used most successfully
in trout and catfish culture. However, pelleted fish food can also be
used by the pond owner to feed bluegill. Bluegill do not usually concentrate
in one place to feed; therefore, the pelleted food would have to be scattered
in the shallow water areas or placed on floating feeders around the entire
pond. Pelleted fish food can be fed at the rate of 2 pounds per acre per
feeding. Once the fish begin taking the food, the amount can be increased,
not exceeding 10 pounds per acre per day. The best guide in feeding fish
is to use no more than they consume in 15 - 20 minutes. Feeding bluegill
may result in larger and fatter fish, but not necessarily better fishing.
Bass do not take pelleted food very readily unless they learn to do so
when very young (2 inches).
WHEN AND HOW TO FISH YOUR POND
When can I start to fish
my pond after it has been stocked with fingerlings?
It is a good idea to allow the fish two complete years for growth before
any harvest. In the second year following the bass stocking, sometime
between May and July, the bass spawn for their first time. Bass do not
reproduce until they are two years old. Initial panfish harvest is permissible
by mid-July of the second year following the bass stocking. Remember that
channel catfish do not usually reproduce in ponds so harvest should keep
pace with restocking plans. Bass harvest is permissible in mid-July of
the third year following their introduction, usually when they are 15
inches or larger.
How
many fish should I harvest?
Everyone likes to catch bass, but removing too many them seriously jeopardizes
the future of quality fishing. The average Illinois pond supports about
four times as many pounds of bluegill and redear sunfish as it does bass.
Therefore, much more effort, perhaps 20 times as much must be directed
toward catching bluegill than toward bass. The following recommendations
are provided as guidelines for maximum angling harvest per year for a
typical one acre pond:
FISH HARVESTING GUIDE
|
|||||||||
| Carrying Capacity of Pond (Pounds per acre) | 25
|
50 |
100 |
75 |
200 |
400 |
|||
| Angler Harvest: (per acre) | |||||||||
| 1st Year Max. Number | None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|||
| 1st Year Max. Pounds | None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|||
| 2nd Year Max. Number | Catch
& Release |
Catch
& Release |
Catch
& Release |
120* |
320* |
640* |
|||
| 2nd Year Max. Pounds | Catch
& Release |
Catch
& Release |
Catch
& Release |
30 |
80 |
160 |
|||
| 3rd Year Max. Number | 10 |
20 |
40 |
120* |
320* |
640* |
|||
| 3rd Year Max. Pounds | 10 |
20 |
40 |
30 |
80 |
160 |
|||
| Each Succeeding
Year Max. Number |
10
** |
20
** |
49
** |
120* |
320* |
640* |
|||
| Each Succeeding
Year Max. Pounds |
10 |
20 |
40 |
20 |
80 |
160 |
|||
* 6 inches and larger
** After quota is reached all bass over 18 inches can be harvested.
AQUATIC VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
I have excessive weed growth weed growth in my pond and don’t know how to control it. Can I obtain assistance from IDNR?
Excessive vegetation in a pond can be managed through chemical, biological, or physical means or some combination of these measures. The first step toward prudent vegetation management includes identification of aquatic plants. Once plants are identified, an appropriate approach for control can be formulated. Contact you local IDNR district fisheries biologist for literature and advice.
My
pond has an algae problem, can I stock grass carp to control this?
Grass carp aren't generally stocked for algae control. They will tend
to only eat fillamentous algae if there is nothing else better available
to them. In so doing, the body of water would convert itself to planktonic
algae which is worse. Our own fish hatchery, Jake Wolf, got rid of the
grass carp they had for just that reason. They were making water quality
problems which hurt the young fish and clogged the filters.
REMOVING UNDESIRABLE FISH
I have a lot of carp and bullheads
in my pond that I want to get rid of. How should I proceed?
The undesirable fish can be removed by two methods: draining and chemical
treatment. If the pond can be completely drained, the pond bottom should
be left dry for several weeks. If any water is left after draining, it
should be treated with a fish toxicant to assure a complete fish kill.
In order to use aquatic pesticides, such a rotenone, a Permit to Remove
Undesirable Fish must be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources’
Division of Fisheries. Aquatic pesticides are listed by the USEPA as “Restricted
Use Pesticides”, they may only be received and possessed by a Division
of Fisheries biologist. Treatment of water areas with fish toxicants must
be done by one of these biologists per Illinois Administrative Rule 890.
The permit to Remove Undesirable Fish and a detailed explanation of Rule
890 may be obtained from the IDNR fisheries biologist.
Emulsifiable rotenone is very effective for the reduction or eradication of undesirable fish populations. The chemical inhibits a biochemical process at the cellular level making it impossible for the fish to us oxygen in the release of energy needed for body processes. The fish cannot be revived by transferring them to untreated water. Rotenone affects all species of fish although susceptibility to the chemical varies between species. Emulsifiable rotenone, 5 percent or 2.5 percent synergized, is generally used at a minimum concentration of 3 parts per million (1.0 gallon per acre foot). A stronger concentration may be required in waters that are very alkaline and highly turbid, caused by either algae or silt. Swimming may take place in waters treated with rotenone following completion of the application of the rotenone.
FISH KILL
What causes a fish kill and how can I
prevent it?
Many things can cause the death of fish in ponds - and when the fish are
dying it is usually too late to stop the kill. However, many fish kills
can be anticipated, and measures taken to prevent them.
Winter
Kill
During winter, the oxygen supply under the ice depends upon the passage
of light and the production of oxygen by tiny plants in the water. If
snow covers the ice, sunlight cannot penetrate and the plants are unable
to produce oxygen. The supply of oxygen is gradually used up by decay
processes and by the respiration of fishes and other aquatic animals.
If the snow remains on the ice long enough, oxygen is depleted and the
fish suffocate. Dead fish are usually found in the spring after the ice
melts. However, if the kill occurs early in the winter, there may be few,
if any, dead fish observed when the pond opens in the spring.
Winter kill is most likely to occur in fertile, shallow, weed-filled ponds. To prevent winter kills, deepening the pond, and removing fertile organic matter, will help. Removing the snow cover from the ice will permit light to penetrate to the underlying plants. Making holes in the ice will not help. Artificial aeration can help fish survive and prevent oxygen depletion. Compressed air systems should be utilized in depths which exceed eight feet.
Summer
Kill (Aquatic Plant Die-Off)
Ponds that contain an abundance of submersed aquatic plants or algae sometimes
have a fish kill when these plants die suddenly from natural causes or
from herbicides. Aquatic plants frequently die during midsummer and use
up the oxygen in the water as they decay and fish suffocate as a result.
This type of summer kill almost always occurs about sunrise when the dissolved
oxygen is at its low point for the day. Natural die-offs of phytoplankton
(algae) blooms are a common cause of summer kill. On rare occasions fish
may die or be in distress in mid-afternoon because of increased pH of
water, supersaturation of oxygen (gas bubble disease), or toxic algae
blooms.
To prevent a summer kill, control of the rooted aquatic vegetation and algae so that they never become dense is recommended. If the stand is dense, treat only a part of it at any one time and allow that part of the vegetation to decay before further treatment. Artificial aeration can help fish survive and prevent oxygen depletion. Compressed air systems should be utilized in depths which exceed eight feet. In lakes and ponds where depths do not exceed eight feet, blower systems are more efficient.
Summer
Kill (Temperature)
Water temperatures in shallow ponds may reach 90 to 95 degrees during
hot summer months. Water holds very little oxygen when its temperature
is above 90 degrees F. On days with little breeze, little or no oxygen
is added to the water, and the dissolved oxygen may disappear entirely
just before dawn and as a result fish would die from suffocation.
To prevent this kind of summer kill, ponds should be deepened so that 25 percent of the area is 7 to 10 feet deep or deeper. Artificial aeration can also help fish survive and prevent oxygen depletion. Compressed air systems should be utilized in depths which exceed eight feet. In lakes and ponds where depths do not exceed eight feet, blower systems are more efficient.
Organic Pollution
Barnyard, feedlot, silo, and sewage drainage that consumes oxygen as it
decays, can quickly deplete the oxygen in a pond and cause fish to die
from suffocation. Many times these kills are noticed after a rain after
organic pollution has washed into the pond.
To prevent fish kills from organic pollution, organic wastes need to be kept from entering ponds by the use of proper livestock confinement practices and appropriate agricultural practices.
Pesticides
Farm crops on the watersheds of ponds are often sprayed with pesticides.
Rain may wash this material into the pond and readily cause a fish kill
from exposure to the chemicals.
To prevent such a kill, caution should be exercised in the selection and application of pesticides, and in the time of treatment. Also, application equipment should not be spray washed in or near ponds.
Natural
Mortality
In the spring a few large fish may be found dead along the shoreline.
Such mortalities are often the result of natural causes. The natural resistance
of fish to disease is lower in the early spring than at any other time
of the year. Larger fish often seem to be more susceptible to disease
than smaller fish.
Industrial
and Mining Wastes
Many industrial wastes are toxic to fish. Other industrial wastes are
organic, consuming dissolved oxygen and killing fish by oxygen depletion.
Mining wastes kill fish by the direct effects of acids and sulphur compounds.
To prevent such kills, wastes from mines and industrial plants should be kept from entering ponds.
FISH DISEASES
YELLOW GRUB
As I was cleaning a fish, I noticed tiny white
worms in the fillet. What are these and is the fish still okay to eat?
What you are seeing sounds like yellow grubs. Yellow grubs are worm parasites
that spend part of their life cycle in fish. The adult grub lives in a
heron's mouth. They lay eggs in the saliva which wash out of the birds
mouth as it feeds. Upon emerging from the water, the eggs hatch and the
larvae must invade the flesh of a particular type of snail of the genus
Helisoma. If these snails are not present in the lake, the life cycle
is broken. If this genus of snail is present, the larvae invade its flesh
and multiply themselves manyfold. When they mature, they burst out of
the snail and penetrate the fish's skin and become encysted in the muscle.
This encysted form may be white or yellow and 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. When
teased out of its cyst, it wiggles, squirms and crawls about. The large
size and active behavior of this grub can shock anglers when they fillet
an infected fish. The life cycle is completed when the fish containing
these encysted grubs is eaten by a feeding heron. Dissolved out of their
cysts by the digestive juices of the heron, they mature into adult worms,
which migrate up the bird's gullet to its mouth, where the life cycle
begins again. This parasite is not a parasite to man. Fish infected with
them are edible.
BLACK SPOT
The fillets of the fish I cleaned appear “peppered”.
What is this caused by and are they safe to eat?
What you are describing sounds like black spot. In black spot, the adult
grub lives in a kingfisher's intestine, depositing eggs that enter the
water via the bird's feces. Upon entering the water, the eggs hatch and
the larvae enter the body of a snail. When they mature, the larvae burst
out of the body of the snail and swim to the nearest fish. They become
encysted in the fins, under the scales and in the meat. The fillets of
an infected fish may appear to have been "peppered". The black
pigment is actually provided by the fish. The tiny grub itself is white.
This parasite is not a parasite of man. Fish infected with them are edible.
How
do I control yellow grub and black spot in my fish?
In order to help minimize the number of grubs in your fish, you must attempt
to break the parasite's life cycle by reducing the numbers of snails present
in your pond. The best way to do this is to 1) control the aquatic weeds
in order to remove hiding places for the snails and 2) stock at least
100 redear sunfish per acre (stocking adults is most effective). Redear
sunfish are know as shell crackers in the southern U.S. because their
feeding litters the pond bottom with broken snail shells.
LAKE MICHIGAN
How many salmonids are stocked in Illinois waters of Lake Michigan?
The annual stocking plan calls for 305,000 chinook (king) salmon, 300,000
coho salmon, 60,000 lake trout, 100,000 rainbow trout, and 100,000 brown
trout.
How
many salmonids are stocked in Lake Michigan?
Approximately 14.5 M (million) salmonids are stocked annually in Lake
Michigan: 5.6 M chinook (king) salmon, 2.6 M coho salmon, 2.4 M lake trout,
1.9 M rainbow trout, 1.6 M brown trout, 245,000 brook trout, and 80,000
splake (a hybrid of brook trout and lake trout).
How
can I charter a boat to fish for salmon on Lake Michigan?
Charter fishing trips can be arranged by calling any of the three charter
fishing associations.
North Point Charter
Boat Association (Winthrop Harbor)
(800) 247-6727
http://www.salmonoid.com/npcba/
Waukegan Charter Boat
Association (Waukegan)
(847) 244-3474
http://www.wcba.info/
Chicago Sportfishing
Association (Chicago)
(312) 922-1100
http://www.great-lakes.org/il/fish-chicago/index.html
Where
can I launch a boat to fish Lake Michigan?
Lake
Michigan boat launches are available at North Point Marina in Winthrop
Harbor, Waukegan Harbor, Lloyd Park in Winnetka, Dawes Park in Evanston,
Diversey Harbor, Burnham Harbor, Jackson Harbor, and 95th Street in Calumet
Harbor.
Where
is the artificial reef?
The artificial reef is located east of the 59th Street Harbor in 25 ft
of water. It is 800 ft long, oriented north-south, and rises an average
of 7 ft off the bottom. GPS coordinates for the reef are N 41? 47.600
/ W 87? 33.133 (north end) and N 41? 47.473 / W 87? 33.144 (south end).
Can
I eat Lake Michigan fish?
The Illinois Department of Public Health issues annual guidelines for
the consumption of Lake Michigan fish based on the species and size of
the fish. These can be found in the Illinois Fishing Information (regulations)
booklet.
Where
can I fish in the Chicago
harbors?
Fishing is allowed in most of the Chicago harbors. Contact the Chicago
Park District at (312) 747-PLAY to obtain a brochure indicating designated
fishing areas for the Chicago harbors.
FISHING
Can I use bluegill as bait?
There is nothing in the Illinois Fish Code which prohibits the use of
legally taken bluegill or sunfish as bait for another species of fish.
The bluegill/sunfish must have been taken by a properly licensed sport
fisherman using legal sportfishing devices. You must also observe all
size and creel limits both where the bluegill/sunfish were taken and where
they are being used as bait. Also, it is illegal to cut up or dress or
be in possession of cut up or dressed fish on any body of water where
there is a size limit for that particular species of fish.
Do
I need a fishing license to fish our subdivision’s private lake?
At first many people think that if they live in a subdivision with a lake,
that they are a landowner and exempt from having a fishing license. This
unfortunately is not correct. Section 5/20-15 of the Illinois fish code
(ILCS 515) specifically states that the landowner fishing license exemption
"does not apply to club lakes, organizational lakes, or lake developments".
Do
I need a fishing license to fish my private pond located entirely on my
property?
Owners or tenants (if they reside on the land) may fish in waters on or
flowing over their lands without a license. This exemption does not apply
to club and organizational lakes or lake developments. Guests must have
a fishing license to fish the lake unless they meet any of the requirements
exempting persons from needing a license - such as being under age 16,
Illinois residents who are disabled or blind, or Illinois residents on
leave from active duty in the Armed Forces.
Can
I catch and take as many fish as I want from my lake?
A privately owned and stocked/maintained lake is still covered by Illinois
statewide sportfishing regulations. These regulations can be found in
our "2012 Illinois Fishing Information" booklet which can be
found anywhere licenses are sold as well as on our DNR
homepage. The statewide regulations are on page 7 of the booklet while
the information regarding licensing requirements is on page 2.
Do
kids under age 16 need to buy a trout stamp to fish for trout?
No. People exempt from purchasing fishing licenses are also exempt from
purchasing a trout stamp.
