2002 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Reservoirs Fishing Prospects

Lake Shelbyville

Largemouth bass -- good -- The average legal-sized bass is 2.6 lbs. with most legal fish being 1.3 to 3.5 lbs. Bass to 4.8 lbs were taken in the 2001 fall population survey.

Muskellunge -- good to excellent -- Judging by the reports of last year and the recent stocking history, a good to excellent fishery is forecast.

Walleye -- good -- The average legal-sized walleye will be 3.4 lbs, with most legal fish being 0.8 to 4.5 lbs.

Crappie -- fair -- Abundance appears to be only half of that in recent years, although a strong yearclass was produced in 2001. The mean size of legal fish will be 11" - 0.7 lbs with most legal fish being 10" - 0.5 lb to 12" - 1 lb.

White bass -- fair to good -- The population appears to be improved over last year. Most whites will be 0.3 to 1 lb. Average size 11" - 0.6 lb.

Catfish -- fair -- Channel catfish 0.7 to 10.5 lbs were collected during the latest survey. Too few flathead catfish were sampled to make an estimate of mean size. Flatheads in excess of 70 lbs have been caught in the lake.

Bluegill -- fair to good -- Most keepers will be 6-8" fish, averaging ¼ lb. There are some good sized bluegill in the upper Kaskaskia arm.

Top

Carlyle Lake

Largemouth bass – good – The average legal-sized bass will be 2.3 lbs, with most being 1½ to 4 lbs.

Sauger – fair – The average size of legal sauger will be 2.2 lbs, with fish to 4 lbs present.

Crappie – poor – Numbers are very low. Average Spring legal crappie will be 11" - 0.7 lb, most 10" - 0.6 lb to 12.5" - 1.1 lbs. Expect fishing to improve somewhat by Fall as 8 to 9" crappie grow to legal size.

White bass – excellent – Numbers are improved over last year Large numbers of ⅓ to 1 lb fish are present with some to 2.3 lbs. Expect average to be 11.5" - 0.7 lb.

Catfish – good – There is an abundance of 2 to 5 lbs channel catfish (average 3.6 lbs). Flathead catfish 5 to 10 lbs dominated in the last survey.

Bluegill -- fair to good -- Most keepers will be 6-8" fish, averaging ¼ lb.

Top

Rend Lake

Largemouth bass – good – There are many sub-legal 9-13" bass in the population. The average legal-sized bass will weigh 2.3 lbs; most will be 1.4 to 2.9 lbs.

Crappie – good – The Spring fishery will be dominated by 10" - 0.5 lb white crappies, larger than last Spring. Most Spring keepers will be 8 to 11", although some 12.5" - 1 lb crappie are present. A new creel/size limit will take effect on April 1, 2002. The daily creel limit will be 25 white crappie, black crappie, and hybrid crappie (singly or in the aggregate) of which no more than 5 may be 10" or longer.

White bass – good – The 2001 fall surveys showed continued improvement in abundance. The daily creel limit for white bass, yellow bass, and hybrid striped bass will be remain at 20 (singly or in the aggregate). The limit of 3 - 17" or larger will remain in effect. Most whites will be 0.4 - 1.4 lbs; average 0.7 lb.

Hybrid striped bass – fair – The younger yearclasses are grouped as follows: 12" - 0.7 lb and 15" - 1.5 lbs. The largest hybrid taken in the latest survey was 7.4 lbs.

Catfish – excellent – The average channel catfish will be about 1.7 lbs; most 0.8 to 3 lbs. Limited data suggests most flathead catfish will be 1 to 22 lbs. Jugs must be attended.

Bluegill -- fair to good -- Most keepers will be 6-8" fish, averaging ¼ lb.

Top

Prepared by Harry L. Wight, Reservoirs Program Administrator

December 20, 2001