CARLYLE LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY
Largemouth Bass - very good to excellent - High water levels in the lake for the past few years created ideal conditions for successful bass spawns, and the flooded vegetation acted as a nursery for the young fish. At the same time, the Illinois Dept of Natural Resources stocked the lake with hundreds of thousands of fingerling bass. As a result, the bass population has experienced a fantastic increase in numbers. These young fish have had a dramatic effect on the density and size structure of the population. And because the water level in the lake was down to normal pool at the time of our population survey, we were able to see the positive results of these occurrences/actions.
From 2001 to 2008, we collected an average of 30 bass per hour during our population surveys. In 2009, we collected 102 bass per hour. Currently, forty-two percent of the adult population is 12 inches or greater in length, 30% is 14 inches or more, and 19% 15 inches or greater. While a large percentage of these fish are sub-legal, legal fish, which have a 14 inch minimum length limit, are abundant and should provide good fishing. Legal fish range in length from 14 to 21 inches, and weigh 1.7 to 5.8 lbs. Within this range is a strong class of 14 to 17 inch bass. The great number of young fish should continue to provide excellent fishing in the years to come. Growth and condition of all sizes classes are excellent, in part fueled by the tremendously successful gizzard shad spawn.
The best spring fishing will be in coves and other protected areas as the bass come in to spawn. The last week of April/first two weeks of May is a good time to catch some keepers. A 14" minimum length limit/6 fish per day creel applies.
White Bass - good - The white bass population is similar in numbers and structure to that of 2008. The fish were mostly offshore during our latest survey. We ran into more white bass when we took our electrofishing boats out onto the flats and made a few circles. Even though numbers have declined in the last two years, the average size has increased substantially, and condition is excellent. During our population survey, we collected 15 fish per hour. Currently, forty-six percent of the adult population is composed of fish that are 12 inches or more in length, and 6% of the fish are 15 inches or greater. The largest white bass weigh just over 2 lbs. These are exceptionally high quality fish in terms of length and weight. 2010 should provide good fishing with perhaps an increase in numbers due to a better spawn.
Crappie - good - We were able to better assess the crappie population due to normal water levels at the time of our population survey. Currently, black crappie numbers are the highest since 2004. We collected 46 fish per hour during our survey. There are two strong classes of crappie present, one ranging in length from 4 to 7 inches, and the other from 9 to 11 inches. Twenty-one percent of the adult crappie are 9 inches or more in length, while 16% are 10 inches or greater. Growth rates and condition of the fish are excellent, so the young crappie should continue to provide good fishing in the future. The white crappie population is smaller than the black crappie. During our current survey, we collected 12 fish per hour, which is similar to the past 5 years. Thirty-seven percent of the adult fish are 9 inches or more in length, while 22% are 10 inches or greater. Fair numbers of fish ranged in length from 7 to 9 inches, and also at 11 inches. Condition of the fish is excellent, with good growth rates. The largest crappie collected was a black crappie that weighed 1.5 lbs. There is a 10 inch minimum/10 fish per day creel for crappie.
Catfish - good to very good - Our fisheries survey data show that the channel catfish population has remained very stable for the last 9 years in terms of numbers and size structure. Currently, channel catfish range in length from 15 to 29 inches, and weigh from 1.1 to 9.5 lbs. They are most abundant in the 18 to 22 inch length range, and within this range weigh 2.2 to 4 lbs. Condition and growth of channel catfish is good, but could be better. The flathead catfish population is almost as abundant as the channel catfish, and condition and growth of flatheads are and has been excellent for several years. Flatheads exhibit exceptionally good reproduction and recruitment in Carlyle Lake. We picked up many young fish during our surveys. Flatheads occur in all sizes, from fish weighing less than a pound, to monsters weighing 50 or more lbs.
Sauger - good - Sauger are doing well in the lake. Several year classes are present and condition is good. During our population survey, we collected fish ranging in length from 6 to 20 inches. Thirty-five percent of the adult fish are 15 inches or more in length. The largest sauger observed during our survey weighed 3 lbs. Most of these fish originally came from our annual spring fry stocking program. The spillway area has a dense concentration of sauger and offers excellent fishing. A 14 inch minimum length limit/6 fish per day creel applies.
Bluegill - good to very good - Due to the past high water years, the bluegill population has experienced a substantial increase in numbers as well as a better population structure. During our current population survey, two hundred and twenty fish were collected per hour compared to a past average of 59. At present, forty-nine percent of the adult fish are 6 inches or more in length, which is a substantial gain from the past 4 years where the average was 34%. The majority of bluegill range in length from 4.7 to 7.1 inches, with a substantial number of fish just at or slightly below 7 inches. Bluegill condition remains good, and spring fishing should be better in 2010.
