LAKE SULE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY
Lake Sule is a 77 acre, former borrow pit that is owned by the Rochelle Park District. The fishery is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Maximum depth of the lake is 20.0 feet with an average depth of 12.0 feet. Lake Sule has a shoreline length of 1.4 miles. It is in the watershed of Kite Creek, which is a tributary to the Rock River. The lake is nearly rectangular in shape. Winds from all directions cause shoreline erosion. The shifting sands create long, shallow shoreline beaches. Little shoreline cover, other than broken concrete and occasional clumps of aquatic vegetation occur at Lake Sule.
The fishery at Lake Sule consists of riverine fishes from contamination via Kite Creek. Numerous fish have also been stocked by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources since 1990. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, muskie and channel catfish were stocked in 2006. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and muskie were stocked in 2007.
LARGEMOUTH BASS - The fall population survey of 2007, revealed good populations of fast growing largemouth bass. The forage base at Lake Sule is gizzard shad. All collected largemouth were in excellent condition and exhibited fast growth. A fair number of largemouth are now larger than the minimum size (14.0 inches).
SMALLMOUTH BASS - Good numbers of smallmouth bass were collected during the 2007 population survey. These fish should provide an excellent fishery in 2008. Good baits to use for both largemouth and smallmouth would be shad imitators.
MUSKIE - Over 1,300 - 10.0" - 11.0" muskie have been stocked in Lake Sule over the past two years. These fish will take advantage of the available shad forage base, and should be of catchable size by 2009.
BLUEGILL - Sunfish are present at Lake Sule and growth and condition was found to be excellent for these fish in the 2007 fall population sample. The average size bluegill that fishermen will be able to catch in 2008 is 6.5 inches.
CHANNEL CATFISH - An excellent population of channel catfish is present in Lake Sule. Many 2 pound plus fish are present in the population. A very abundant population of small gizzard shad serves as forage for channel catfish. Best fishing is from the rock-rip-rap shoreline using cut shad as bait.
