Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

29447

2022

Largemouth Bass

Fingerling 1 - 3"

17350

2022

Muskellunge

Adult

2142

2022

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

292025

2022

Walleye

Fry

2450000

2023

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

26092

2023

Largemouth Bass

Fingerling 1 - 3"

22545

2023

Muskellunge

Adult

2004

2023

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

219276

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Very Good

In 2021, 55% of the bluegill collected (n = 966) were longer than 6”. Fish ranged from 1.2” to 8.7” and topped the scale at 0.47 lbs.; 25% of the bluegill collected were over 7” long and 3.3% exceeded 8” long. Bluegills are a bread and butter species in the Chain — if anglers aren’t targeting the big predators they’re probably catching bluegills!

CHANNEL CATFISH

Excellent

This species is maintained through natural reproduction and are common in river systems. Since the Chain is part of a river system these fish are a significant predator, relatively abundant and caught by a lot of fishermen. Channel catfish ranged in size from 10” to 28” long and weighed up to 9.5 lbs. In 2021, 72% of the channel catfish collected exceeded 18” in length, 39% were over 22” long and 16% were over 24” long.

CRAPPIE

Excellent

Both black crappie (n=84) and white crappie (n=63) catches increased since 2015 but fish measured about the same, between 2” and 18” long and weighed up to 2.1 lbs.; 43% of black crappie and 61% of white crappie exceeded 9”, and 1.3% of black crappie and 21% of white crappie exceeded 11” long. Crappie fishing remains popular in the Chain, especially in the spring: Fish beyond 16” are possible!

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Fair

Flathead catfish are present up and down the entire Fox River/Fox Chain O’ Lakes system but are more common the further you go below the McHenry Dam and all the way south to Dayton. Site Regulation: 3 fish daily limit; one fish greater than 28" and 2 fish less than 28".

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

In 2021, bass were collected at a rate of 41.2 fish/hr., this is slightly above the long-term average of 21.8 fish/hr. Fish measured from 2.5” to 20” long and weighed up to 4.4 lbs.; 50% of the bass collected were over 12” long and sexually mature, 24% exceeded 14 inches (legal size), 17% were over 15” long, 10% were over 16” long, and 1% were over 18”. The population appears to be well balanced and supports our goals to provide predation on panfish species and maximize bass angling opportunities.

MUSKELLUNGE

Very Good

Muskie are managed for high catch rates and the longevity of the stocking program has allowed females to grow LARGE! The average muskie is 36” long but fish up to 51” are reported by anglers almost annually. In the Chain, it takes at least 12 years for a muskie to reach 48” (legal length) and about 15 years to reach 51”+. Male muskie occasionally grow beyond 40” long but females easily grow through that size and are the biggest muskie in a system. Muskie are surveyed each year, in spring nets, to track tagged fish and growth. Females weighing over 30 lbs. are regularly collected with our largest fish ever weighing 36.2 lbs. (in 2007!). There are some really nice fish in the Chain!! The American Fisheries Society values muskie at $50/lb. so have the right gear and practice good handling techniques. To put it in perspective: A 20 lb. muskie is valued at $ 1000, a 48” fish weighing thirty pounds or more would be valued at over $2400! Site Regulation: 1 fish daily limit, 48" minimum length.

NORTHERN PIKE

Improving

Northern pike are present in the system and are maintained through natural reproduction. Site Regulation: 3 fish daily limit, 24" minimum length.

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Fair

Smallmouth bass make up about 10% of the total bass catch. They maintain themselves with natural reproduction. Fish up to 18" are collected during surveys. Site Regulation: Daily limit of 3 fish; smallmouth must be released immediately between April 1 to June 15 (no possession).

WALLEYE

Very Good

The Chain O Lakes is a brood source for the State Hatchery System, so it is managed to produce large walleye! During the biennial fall survey (2021), walleye were collected at a rate of 13.3 fish/hr. compared to 19 fish/hr. in 2017 and 16 fish/hr. in 2015. Fish ranged from 7” to 27” long and weighed up to 7.5 lbs. In spring 10+ lb. fish are collected. In 2016, a 12.5+ lb. female was collected. All brood fish were returned to Lake Marie after being processed at La Salle Fish Hatchery! Fall sample data (2021), (n=186) had 94% of the walleye >14”, 48% were >18”, 11% were >24”. The protective slot regulation keeps females with high egg quality in the system and promotes harvest of smaller male fish.

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