EVERGREEN LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY

CHANNEL CATFISH: Channel catfish fishing continues to be fair at this lake. The fish population is self sustaining. In order to improve the catfish fishery, recent stockings have taken place. In 2004, approximately 40, 100 3" channel catfish were stocked. In 2003, approximately 89,700 3" channel catfish were stocked into Evergreen Lake. Good number of catfish ranging in size from 8 to 16 pounds are caught each year. Evergreen Lake has a two pole and line only restriction. Evergreen Lake has two boat ramps and has a 10 horsepower limit on all boats. In order to launch a boat on Evergreen Lake, a sticker must be purchased. The stickers can be purchased at the boat ramps, Comlara Park Visitor’s Center, or by calling 309/726-2022.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: EVERGREEN LAKE The City of Bloomington, the Bloomington Normal Bass Club, the McLean County Parks and Recreation Department and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, through a cooperative largemouth bass stocking program, have maintained a bass population that provides excellent angling opportunities. The stocking program began in 1990 and has proven beneficial in helping to maintain bass numbers in the lake. In 2002 and 2003, 2400 eight inch largemouth bass were stocked. Electrofishing catch rates have increased from 18 bass per hour in 1990 to a high of 128 bass per hour in 1998. Since 1998, the catch rate has decreased to 60 bass per hour in 2002. This is still a good catch rate.

The size structure is dominated by larger bass with 77% of the bass being over 12 inches and 62% over 15 inches in length. Approximately 6% of the bass were larger than 20 inches. The low natural production of bass in recent years has reduced the number of small bass, but with the stocking program we are maintaining a good bass fishery. The bass regulation on Evergreen Lake is a 15" minimum length limit with a 6 fish daily creel limit.

MUSKIE: EVERGREEN LAKE This lake was first stocked with muskie in 1990. In 2003, 1852 10 inch muskie were stocked from the State Hatchery System. During the fall night survey in 2002, the catch per hour of muskie was 10.0. In 2002, 75% of the muskie were over 30 inches in length, and 25% were over 38 inches. None of the fish collected exceeded the 48 inch length limit.
In 2002, a netting survey was initiated to monitor the muskie population. Each spring frame nets are used for three days to collect muskie. The muskie are tagged with an internal tag. The tag has an individual number so each fish can be tracked over time. From this information we can determine growth rates and condition of the fish over time. It has also provided some information on escapement from the lake for certain muskie. The McLean Co. Parks and Recreation Department has worked with local anglers to erect a barrier below the spillway to lower the escapement potential of muskie downstream
.
We captured 1.2 muskie per net in 2002 and 2.6 per net in 2003, with a total of 95 muskie captured in 2003. Approximately 18% of the muskie captured in 2003 were larger than 38 inches and 3% were larger than 42 inches. The muskie exhibited ideal weights at all sizes. Muskie have now been in Evergreen Lake long enough to allow them to reach a large size. The muskie population in this lake is developing nicely and starting to show its true potential.

WALLEYE AND SAUGER: Home of the current State Record Saugeye! The State Record Saugeye was caught in 2001. The lake still holds fish capable of breaking the new record. This lake was selected for experimental stocking of saugeye. The saugeye is a hybrid made by crossing female walleye with male sauger. The saugeye is suppose to be more adaptable to turbid conditions and easier to catch than walleye. The saugeye appear to have adapted quite well to Evergreen Lake. Stocking of this hybrid started in 1992 and the lake has been stocked every year since. Anglers really started catching saugeye in 1998. In 2002, a night survey was conducted and resulted in 45 saugeye per hour of electrofishing. Of the saugeye collected in the survey, 21 percent were larger than 15", 15 percent were larger than 20" and 6 percent were larger than 25". Evergreen will continue to provide excellent fishing for saugeye in 2005. In 2002 a spring netting survey was initiated to collect muskie and saugeye. In 2002, 1.9 saugeye were collected per net. Approximately 66% were larger than 20 inches. In 2003, 1.5 saugeye were collected per net. Approximately 77% were larger than 20 inches. In 2004, 1.9 saugeye were collected per net. Approximately 47% were longer than 20 inches. A strong group of saugeye in the 10 to 15 inch range will keep the saugeye population robust. It appears the nets fail to collect smaller fish, but the nets indicate the saugeye population has a large number of big saugeye in the population. Three of the saugeye collected were larger than the current state record! The fishing regulation for saugeye is a 14" minimum length limit with a 6 fish daily creel limit. Evergreen Lake has two boat ramps and has a 10 horsepower limit on all boats. In order to launch a boat on Evergreen Lake, a sticker must be purchased. The stickers can be purchased at the boat ramps, Comlara Park Visitor’s Center, or by calling 309/726-2022.

RETURN TO EVERGREEN LAKE