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DU QUOIN CITY LAKE


Lake Information

County: Perry

Acreage: 210

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? yes

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? No

Camping? No


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

3000

2022

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

11727

2023

Redear Sunfish

Fingerling 1 - 3"

500


Additional information for stocking on Du Quoin City Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Very Good

The Bluegill fishery in Du Quoin City Lake is relatively good for a lake with an abundance of Gizzard Shad. During the 2023 fall survey, 121 Bluegill were collected while electrofishing, of which 24% were over 7 inches and 1% were over 8 inches. The high density of Gizzard Shad in the lake is likely a limiting factor for Bluegill growth.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

Over 11,000 Channel Catfish were stocked from 2020 through 2022 to supplement poor natural recruitment and increase angler satisfaction. For the first time, several catfish were collected while electrofishing during the fall survey, indicating that stockings have been effective at increasing abundance. In addition, baited hoop nets were also set during the fall survey to specifically target Channel Catfish. A total of 53 Channel Catfish were collected in hoop nets. Catfish in the sample ranged from 12 to 26 inches in length, the largest weighing nearly 8 lbs. In summary, survey results suggest the catfish population has been improving due to stocking efforts. In addition to enhancing angling opportunities, it is hoped that larger Channel Catfish will utilize the abundant stock of Gizzard Shad as prey. Catfish stockings will continue to occur each year that surplus fish are available from the state hatchery system.

CRAPPIE

Good

Du Quoin City Lake contains a good crappie fishery consisting of Black, White, and Hybrid Crappie. During the 2023 fall survey, a total of 147 crappie were collected in trap nets, which exceeded the management goal of 10/net night). Of crappie in the sample, 8 were Black Crappie, 130 were White Crappie, and 9 were hybrids. About 60% of crappie collected in trap nets were over 9 inches and 31% were over 10 inches. Otolith age data collected during previous surveys showed that growth rates for both Black and White Crappie were relatively good. In summary, the crappie population is in good condition and anglers should expect quality fishing opportunities.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

Bass abundance in Du Quoin City Lake is still relatively low, although size structure is favorable. During the 2023 fall electrofishing survey, bass were collected at a rate of 62/hour, barely exceeding the management goal of 60/hour. Of the bass collected, 17% were at least 15 inches and 5% were at least 18 inches. Body condition of bass in the sample was relatively good with the mean relative weight at 93. Given that bass abundance is relatively low, but size structure and growth are favorable, regulations will be changing to a reduced creel limit of 3/day and a 15” minimum length limit, effective April 1, 2024.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Excellent

The Redear Sunfish population in Du Quoin City Lake is among the best in southern Illinois, containing an abundance of adults in the 9–11” range. Of the 44 Redear collected during the 2023 electrofishing survey, 39% were over 9 inches, and 16% were over 10 inches. Mean relative weight was excellent at 100, indicating an ample forage base of mollusks in the lake. Anglers should expect excellent angling opportunities for Redear.

SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

Developing

The primary reason for stocking Saugeye is to provide an additional predator of Gizzard Shad. Over 11,000 Saugeye fingerlings were stocked in Du Quoin City Lake during 2022. However, insufficient numbers were available from the state hatchery system for a repeat stocking in 2023. During the 2023 fall survey, one 15" Saugeye was collected. Additional year classes of Saugeye will be stocked if adequate numbers are available from the state hatchery system.

Location: DuQuoin City Lake is located in Perry County north of Du Quoin. From center of town take State Route 51 North for approximately 4 miles and turn east onto City Lake Road.

Description: This 210-acre impoundment has a shoreline length of 12 miles and a maximum depth of 16 feet. Much of the lake is relatively shallow and is surrounded by spatterdock (yellow cow lily) along the shoreline, which provides excellent fish habitat. There is a gravel boat ramp, but no docks, restrooms or concessions are available and parking in the gravel lot is limited. The city of Du Quoin now requires payment of a daily use fee or purchase of an annual pass to use the public boat ramp.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: A multi-gear sampling approach has been implemented to assess the fish community in Du Quoin City Lake since 2020, before which only electrofishing was utilized. Channel Catfish are stocked when available to supplement poor natural recruitment. An initial year class of Saugeye fingerlings were stocked during 2022 in an effort to increase predation on Gizzard Shad.

2023 survey data suggests that quality fisheries continue to exist for Bluegill, Redear, and Crappie. In addition, successive catfish stockings seem to be improving the population and should enhance opportunities for catfish anglers. Although the Largemouth Bass population appears stable, survey data and angler reports suggest that management actions should occur to increase bass abundance and improve the fishery. Therefore, bass regulations are slated to change to a reduced harvest limit of 3/day and 15" minimum length limit. In addition, supplemental bass stockings will occur if fish can be obtained. The primary management goal at Du Quoin City Lake is to maintain a quality multispecies fishery. Therefore, maximizing piscivore abundance to prey on Gizzard Shad, which directly compete with Bluegill and other sport fish, is a priority.

Additional Lake Information: Site Regulations:
Crappie: 25 fish daily limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish daily limit
Largemouth Bass: 3 fish daily limit, 15" minimum length limit (effective 4/1/2024)
Walleye, Sauger, and Saugeye: 6 fish daily limit, 14" minimum length limit

Contact Information:
City of DuQuoin:
618-542-3841
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Nick Abell
618-967-0952

There were 3 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.

Species Total Fish Caught
Largemouth Bass 233

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1     6.38 lbs
2     6.17 lbs
3     5.64 lbs
4     5.61 lbs
5     5.39 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1 148.81 lbs
2 146.38 lbs
3 79.97 lbs


Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.

Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.

2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
April-2026132ApprovedRamp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0926423ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-03
*August-04
26713ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-0725951ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoNo