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PRATTS WAYNE WOODS CATFISH POND
Lake Information
County: DuPage
Acreage: 5
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? No
Boat Ramps? No
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? No
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Poor | Black Crappie were not present in this survey. We caught 26 Crappie in the 2015 survey. Black Crappies tend to be very cyclical in their population numbers. We typically don’t manage for or stock Crappies in small ponds as they can become over-abundant and compete with young of year Largemouth Bass. | |
Average | Bluegill catch rate was quite low at only 81 fish per hour. This is most likely due to the timing of the survey or the steep sided morphology of this pond which makes bluegill difficult to catch via electrofishing. Bluegill ranged in size from 1.2 to 6.4 inches, with an average length of 4.0 inches. Only four percent of the catch was longer than six inches. | |
Good | Largemouth bass were captured at a rate of 129 fish per hour. This rate is higher than the management goal of 60 fish per hour, and higher than it has been in the previous three surveys. Bass ranged in size from 3.9 to 17.76 inches, the largest weighing 3.2 pounds. The average length bass in the sample was 10.0 inches. A good proportion of the sample, 28% was longer than 15 inches. Catfish Pond offers anglers a good shot at a quality outing. | |
Location: Catfish Pond is located in DuPage County at the Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve. Parking is available off Powis Road, one mile south of Stearns Road in Wayne. Catfish Pond is northwest of the main lake (Pickerel Lake).
Description: Catfish Pond is a 5 acre gravel pit with a maximum depth of 16 feet and an average depth of 7 feet. Catfish pond is one of 30 lakes and ponds owned and maintained for sport fishing by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (FPDDC). There is good shoreline fishing access available close to the north parking area via a gravel trail around the lake. No watercraft allowed.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Abundant largemouth bass should offer anglers plenty of action in this “easy to access” pond. Bluegill, black crappie, redear sunfish, channel catfish and northern pike are also present. Several riverine species are present in this lake due to connectivity with Brewster Creek during flood events. Easy access and proximity to the parking area make this a family friendly fishing spot!
These waters have been under management by the FPDDC Biologist to provide quality sport fishing opportunities. In 1984, the FPDDC entered into a cooperative management agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to facilitate management activities. Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish are occasionally stocked to supplement the population. Northern Pike and Redear Sunfish have been stocked in the past. A fish survey was conducted on April 24th, 2023.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only.
District Wide Sportfishing Regulations
Largemouth bass: 14-18" protected slot limit; 4 fish daily creel limit with 3 fish that can be harvested under 14" and 1 fish longer than 18"
Bluegill: No minimum length limit; 25 fish daily creel limit
White and black crappie: No minimum length limit; 15 fish daily creel limit
Yellow perch: 9" inch minimum length limit; 5 fish daily creel limit
Northern pike: 24" inch minimum length limit; 3 fish daily creel limit
Channel catfish: 12" minimum length limit; 3 fish daily creel limit.
Contact Information: Forest Preserve District of DuPage County 630-933-7200Andrew Plauck IDNR815-675-2386 ext 214
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