MILL CREEK STATUS REPORT SUMMARY
CHANNEL CATFISH: The lake is located approximately eight miles west of Marshall, in Clark County. The lake covers 811 surface acres with a maximum depth of 60 feet and average depth of 22.7 feet. Public boat launching facilities are available. The Clark County Park District (217-889-3901) collects a boating access fee. From 1996 through 2003 the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Clark County Park District have both stocked channel catfish. This fishery has developed very well and numerous anglers have reported that they have been able to catch limits of channel catfish. A six catfish/day creel limit exists.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: MILL CREEK LAKE - is located approximately
eight miles west of Marshall, in Clark County. The lake covers 811 surface
acres with a maximum depth of 60 feet and average depth of 22.7 feet.
Public boat launching facilities are available and the Clark County Park
District (217 889 3901) collects a boating access fee. A 12 15 inch protected
length limit is in effect.
Largemouth bass in this lake have excellent natural recruitment of bass fry due to abundant aquatic vegetation, resulting in a self sustaining bass fishery. Historically, an excellent largemouth bass population exists with the average catch ranging from 1 to 2 pounds. Bass over 10 lbs have been reported on an annual basis. A good catch and release fishery exists for bass within and above the protected slot length limit of 12 15 inches.
Angling pressure on this lake, non organized and tournament and from both Illinois and Indiana, is very heavy, attesting to this lake’s popularity. A significant fish kill, comprised primarily of largemouth bass, occurred in late summer 1999. The fishery has recovered very well and catch rates by fishermen have improved significantly during the ‘02 and ‘03 fishing seasons.
The results of the 2003 fall fish population survey resulted in a catch rate of 56 bass, age 1 or older, per hour which is good for this lake due to clear water and less than ideal conductivity levels. Bass fishing prospects are rated as good to very good. This bass population is expected to recover completely within the next couple of years, as catch rates of bass slightly exceeded those in 1997 prior to the fish kill. When this recovery is complete this fishery will rank with the best in the state.
MUSKIE: MILL CREEK LAKE Located approximately 8 miles
west of Marshall, in Clark County. This lake has a surface area of 731
acres, with a maximum depth of 60 feet, and an average depth of 22 feet.
Public boat launching facilities are available and the Clark County Park
District (217 889 3901) collects a boating access fee. A 42 inch minimum
length limit with a one (1) fish per day creel limit is in effect.
This lake was stocked initially in fall of 1999 with pure muskellunge to diversify the fishery and take advantage of outstanding habitat, water quality, and abundant adult gizzard shad and white suckers for forage. Recent reports indicate that this fishery is beginning to develop well, with numerous fish over 36" being caught in ‘03. A 40" fish was reported in summer 2001, attesting to potential growth rates. Although due only to recent initiation of annual stockings, muskie fishing prospects are rated as fair. This fishery is expected to develop into a high quality trophy fishery in the near future.
