CLINTON LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY 2004
CHANNEL CATFISH: Channel catfish have been a major part of the fishery in Clinton Lake. The population is self sustaining. Good numbers of catfish ranging in size from 8 to 16 pounds are caught each year. The majority of the catfish are caught in front of the discharge canal which opens to fishing on April 1 of each year. Also anglers will find catfish near the bridge openings that cross the lake. Water depth is good in these areas and there is a slight current coming through the openings. The discharge area of the lake is closed to fishing from October 10 through April 1. Trotline and jug fishing are restricted to the area eat of Parnell Bridge in the Salt Creek Arm of the lake, and to the area of the lake located north of the Davenport Bridge in the North Fork Arm of the lake. The trotlines must be attended at least once every 24 hours, and jug anglers must keep their jugs under constant surveillance, picking them up before leaving the lake. Both types of fishing are limited to 50 hooks per licensed angler and all devices must be clearly labeled with the name of the angler and their address This area serves as a refuge for fish and waterfowl during this time. Fishing off the bridges during this period is permitted, and does offer some good catches of channel and flathead catfish. 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, the spillway and dam areas east of the spillway, and the bank of 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.
LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BASS: CLINTON LAKE The largemouth bass population continues to show signs of recovery. The survey in 2002 resulted in the highest catch rate for largemouth bass in 10 years. The fall 2002 survey revealed a catch rate of 53.4 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing, which is an increase from 28.6 bass per hour collected in 2000. The fall 2003 surveyed resulted in 46.1 bass per hour being collected. There are good numbers of larger bass in the lake, with 55% being over 12 inches in length and 29% over 15 inches. Approximately 9% of the bass are over 16 inches. The increase in bass collected the past two surveys is due to the increase in bass under 8 inches. This is very encouraging for the future of the bass population.
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.
Unfortunately the catch rate declined in 2003, but anglers are still reporting
good catches of smallmouth bass. The bass regulation on Clinton Lake is
a 16" minimum length limit with a 3 fish daily creel limit. Bass
tournaments should continue to do well on this lake.
STRIPED BASS & HYBRIDS: CLINTON LAKE - This cooling
lake for Illinois Power Co. is 4895 acres. This was one of the first lakes
in the state to receive hybrid stripers, being first stocked in 1978.
The lake was also stocked with pure stripers starting in 1991. During
the 2004 survey, pure stripers were collected at a rate of 1.3 per hour,
all being less than 20 inches. These fish will quickly grow into the 20
to 30 inch range. Fishing below the spillway at Clinton Lake gives anglers
a great chance at a nice striper. A large number of stripers escape the
lake and stay in the catch basin area. Several years ago white bass were
introduced into Clinton Lake by an unknown source, but are producing an
excellent fishing opportunity. The fishing regulation for white bass,
striped bass, and hybrid striped bass is a 10 fish daily creel with a
3 fish 17" or longer daily creel limit. This allows anglers to harvest
the white bass. 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, the spillway and dam areas east of the spillway,
and the bank of 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 water fowl 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.
WALLEYE AND SAUGER: In 2004, the State Hatchery System stocked approximately 172,463 two-inch walleye. Based on the 2004 survey, size structure is good with 78% over 15 inches and 29% over 20 inches in length. The catch rate for walleye during the 2003 survey was the second highest catch rate in 10 years. The catch rate in 2004 was the third highest catch rate in 11 years. Walleye fishing in 2005 looks good with a large number of medium-sized fish in the population. The fishing regulation for walleye is a 14" minimum length limit with a 6 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, the spillway and dam areas east of the spillway, and the bank of 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 water fowl 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.
