LAKE LE-AQUA-NA STATUS REPORT SUMMARY
CHANNEL CATFISH: This 43-acre impoundment is located
in northwestern Stephenson County, three miles north of the village of
Lena. The lake was constructed in 1955 and is situated in the 715-acre
Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park.
Lake Le-Aqua-Na has been stocked with a total of 11,258 non-vulnerable
catfish from 1985 to 1991 (6 years) or 43.6 fish per acre per year. From
1991 through 2000 (10 years) 20,744 catfish or 48 catfish per acre per
year have been stocked. From 2001 to the present, 9,444 or 55 per acre
catfish have been stocked.
A 1989 creel census found a harvest of 11.3 pounds per acre of catfish that weighed 1.3 pounds. The ratio of kept-to-caught fish was 87%.
The 1994 creel census found 20.4 pounds per acre caught with 84% kept or 17.1 pounds per acre. These fish weighed 1.26 pounds.
Channel catfish angling has always had an excellent reputation at Lake
Le-Aqua-Na and this year should be another ideal one.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: LAKE LE-AQUA-NA - This 43-acre lake
was built in 1955 and first opened to fishing in 1957. It was rehabilitated
and restocked in 1977 following a severe winter fish kill. In addition
to largemouth bass, northern pike is the only other predator. The forage
base is comprised of warmouth sunfish, bullheads, brook silversides, bluegill,
black crappie, golden shiners, and shad.
The 1989 creel survey documented an effort of 545 man-hours per acre with
a harvest of 3.23 largemouth bass per acre weighing 2.2 pounds. The overall
harvest of bass was 7.2 pounds per acre. The combined harvest and catch-and-release
was found to be 23.9 bass per acre weighing 23.7 pounds per acre.
The 1994 creel found an increase in fishing pressure to 742 man-hours per acre with a decline in harvest of bass to 2.13 bass per acre again weighing 2.2 pounds. The overall harvest of bass was 4.7 pounds per acre. The combined harvest and catch-and-release was found to be 47.34 bass per acre weighing 20.1 pounds per acre.
Fall electrofishing data 1995 through 1998 found an average catch rate
of 8" and larger bass at 16 per hour. From 1999 to the present, the
fall surveys found an average catch rate of 8" and larger bass at
26 per hour.
A statewide bluegill study beginning in 1999 involves this lake with no
catch or size limit on bluegill and a yearly stocking of bass. From 1999
to the present, 6,089 - 4" bass with a distinctive fin clip have
been stocked.
A 14" minimum size limit was enacted in the 1970's and a daily creel limit of one bass was implemented in 1990. Although large bass are not common in this lake, they can always be found by the dedicated angler.
NORTHERN PIKE: Lake Le-Aqua-Na Has a strong pike population
estimated to be near 5 per acre of pike ranging in size up to 38"
at 13 pounds.
