CARLYLE LAKE – With spring right around the corner, it is time to begin thinking about the big fish you’re going to catch this year at Carlyle Lake. Carlyle Lake provides a diverse and bountiful freshwater game fish population. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division recently provided the results of the annual 2013 fall survey of Carlyle Lake and these results indicate that fishing prospects are outstanding for the upcoming season.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources survey data summary and fishing prospects follow:
LARGEMOUTH BASS – VERY GOOD –Survival and recruitment of the bass spawn from 2012 was poor, resulting in reduced numbers of fish between 8 to 12 inches in our 2013 fish population survey. Despite this, bass numbers are still relatively high and 68% of the stock is 14 inches and greater in length. Bass exhibit strong year classes in the 12 to 17 inch length range, with lesser numbers running around 18 to 20 inches in length. Fifteen inch fish average well over 2 lbs. We also picked up larger fish weighing a little over 5 lbs. Six pound bass exist in the lake and have been collected numerous times. Most of the bass appeared to be in excellent condition due to an abundant shad population, however, a disease affecting approximately 10% of the bass was observed. Symptoms are large, oval lesions on the sides of the fish. Plenty of young of the year bass were observed, part from a natural spawn and part from stocked fish. Expect good fishing for this species in 2014. A 14” minimum length limit/6 fish per day creel applies.
WHITE BASS – EXCELLENT - White bass are very abundant and exhibit a superb population structure. We observed multiple year classes including many young of the year fishes as well. White bass are very numerous in the 10 to 15 inch length range, peaking around 12 -14 inches. Sixty-two percent of the stock is 12 inches or greater in length. Thirteen inch fish average over a pound in weight. The fish appear to be in excellent condition. Look for great white bass fishing in 2014 as they continue to feed and grow.
CRAPPIE –FANTASTIC –The crappie population is just incredible! We collected 97 fish per hour, the second highest number during a population survey. Crappie show multiple year classes, a good spawn, and excellent condition. Forty-five percent of the stock is 10 inches or greater in length. Twelve inch fish average well over a pound. Fishing for crappie should be crazy good in 2014. A 10 inch minimum/15 fish per day creel applies.
SAUGER – GOOD – Sauger are doing well in the lake. The average legal fish collected weighed 2.3 lbs. while the largest sauger observed weighed 3 lbs. Sauger in the lake came from our annual spring fry stocking program, where the IDNR typically releases 8 to 12 million fry. Trolling with deep diving lures produces some nice catches in the lake, while the spillway offers excellent seasonal fishing. A 14 inch minimum length limit/6 fish per day creel applies.
BLUEGILL - VERY GOOD – Bluegill continue to show good population structure, combining abundance, excellent condition, and desirable size. Seven inch fish are common and robust. Expect good fishing for this species in 2014. The Dept. of Natural Resources is also stocking redear sunfish. It is hoped that these fish develop into a quality pan-fishery as well. Redear sunfish feed heavily upon snails and tend to stay closer to the bottom than bluegill. They are large sunfish, often averaging one half to one pound in weight.
For additional information, please contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office at (618) 594-2484 or email at carlylelake@usace.army.mil