POWERTON LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY
CATFISH - This 1426 acre lake was built in the early 1970s and opened for public use in 1983. It is a “perched” reservoir, completely surrounded by levees. Built in a drainage district in the Illinois River bottom, it inundated old drainage ditches. Fill water was pumped through the Commonwealth Edison Powerton Plant and dumped into the lake directly from the Illinois River. For these reasons, Powerton was initially good habitat for reproduction of channel catfish and recruitment into the fishery. Growth and condition of channel catfish is excellent. Powerton has all three of the most popular catfish species flathead, blue and channel catfish. Flathead catfish of up to 60 pounds have been caught this past year.
In October of 1999 - 35,000 - 4.4 inch blue catfish were stocked at Powerton for the first time. In keeping with the trophy fish management at Powerton, it is hoped that these fish will provide additional big catfish angling opportunity in the future. Blue catfish that have been stocked at Powerton in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, and are present up to 49 pounds in size. They are often confused with large channel catfish.
Recent population surveys have indicated a decrease in channel catfish population density. Condition and plumpness of all the channel catfish sampled has been much improved over the past several years due, in part, to the introduction of threadfin shad. Although numbers and growth of channel catfish were positively impacted by the introduction of smallmouth bass in the 1980's, recent mortality due to extreme warm water temperatures in May has had a major effect on population structure of channel catfish.
A recent creel census at Powerton Lake indicated that over 8 pounds of channel catfish are harvested per acre each year. Average size harvested is 1.1 pounds and the catch rate is .137 fish per hour. The percentage of all fishermen at Powerton Lake fishing for channel catfish is 21.8.
The best times to fish are mid-spring (April and May) and late summer (August - September). Best locations are in the warm water discharge in spring and the water intake in the later portions of the year. Best baits are shad and cheese bait. There is a pole and line fishing regulation in place (no multiple hooks). Powerton Lake has no food, fuel or services. There is no horsepower restriction on the lake. Powerton is closed for all fishing during the regular waterfowl season each year.
SMALLMOUTH BASS - In 1987, a stocking of smallmouth bass was made to ascertain if they would be able to reproduce, survive and create a black bass fishery. Since the available fish habitat includes large rock along most of the shoreline, and appropriate sized forage was available, this initial stocking prospered. Smallmouth bass were stocked at a rate of 10 fingerling fish per acre each year until 1991, when it was determined that the smallmouth bass population was being maintained by strong natural reproduction.
As a result of the initial stocking success, numerous smallmouth bass in excess of five pounds were caught during the 2007 fishing season. Fast growth and better body condition of smallmouth was promoted by the survival and reproduction of threadfin shad and brook silversides this year in Powerton Lake. During the fall population sample, 42% of all smallmouth collected were 16 inches long or longer. A collection rate of almost 1.00 fish per minute of electro-fishing indicates an excellent abundance of smallmouth bass. Reproduction of smallmouth bass was excellent! The strong reproduction and recruitment of smallmouth bass shown by this year’s sample bodes well for the smallmouth bass fishery in 2008. It takes three years growth in Powerton Lake to produce a “legal” fish (18").
As a result of the review of population survey data trends, the outlook for smallmouth bass fishing in 2008 is excellent. Because of the restrictive harvest regulations of 1 fish per day with a minimum size of 18 inches, Powertow Lake has a reputation as a trophy smallmouth bass fishery. Even shoreline casting is an effective way of fishing smallmouth at Powerton. Best months are March and April with early October also good. Best baits are jigs or shad imitators fished off the rock ledges along the levees in the coolest water available. Fly fishing has proven effective when a hatch of midges is occurring.
BLUEGILL - An emerging bluegill population has created an excellent fishery. Good numbers of 1/3 lb. bluegill up to 9" in length are caught by anglers.
WHITE BASS - The white bass population has, essentially disappeared. None are collected while electro-fishing and few are found in nets. The excellent white bass fishery of the past, no longer occurs at Powerton Lake. The reasons for this disappearance are not well understood.
