 2003
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
RESERVOIRS FISHING PROSPECTS
LAKE
SHELBYVILLE
Largemouth
Bass –good- The average legal-sized bass is 2 lbs with most legal
fish being 1.3-3.5 lbs. Bass up to 6 lbs were taken in the 2002 fall population
survey.
Muskellunge
–good- Judging by the reports of last years and the recent stocking
history, a good 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, The future
looks bright with a strong 2001 year class developing. 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. A good
spawn occurred in 2002, indicating a good fishery may develop in a couple
of years. Most white bass will be 0.3 to 1 lb. Average size is 10.5"
- 0.6 lbs.
Catfish–fair
to good – 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 1/4 lb. There
are some good sized bluegill in the upper Kaskaskia arm.
Top
REND LAKE
Largemouth
Bass – fair – The bass population is still dominated by a large
number of sub-legal 10"-13" fish. However, the number of legal-sized
fish has increased from last year. Most of these fish are 14" - 16"
in length and weigh 1.5 to 2.6 lbs. Larger bass up to 4.5 lbs are present,
but less abundant than last year.
Crappie –
good to excellent – Data collected from the fall trapnet survey indicate
the size structure of the crappie population is improving. White crappie
8"-11" in length and averaging 1/4 to 3/4 of a pound are abundant,
and should provide excellent angling opportunities this spring. The new
crappie regulations initiated last spring remain in effect, and include
a daily creel limit of 25 white, black, or hybrid crappie (singly or collectively)
of which no more than 5 may be 10" or longer in length.
White Bass – good – The size structure of the population should
be similar to last year with a slight increase in the numbers of larger
fish > 15" in length. The majority of white bass will range from
10" - 15" in length and weigh 0.4 - 1.4 lbs.
Hybrid Striped
Bass – fair to poor – Based on data from the fall survey, numbers
are expected to be down. This is due in part to the large number of fish
that were lost over the spillway during the extended period of high water
last spring and summer. Hybrids collected during the fall survey ranged
from 1.5 - 7 lbs.
Catfish –
excellent – Channel catfish from 1 - 2.5 lbs are abundant, and larger
fish up to 7 lbs are common. The numbers of small flathead catfish increased,
while the numbers and size structure of the larger flatheads remains stable.
Most flathead catfish will range from 1 - 20 lbs.
Bluegill
– fair – Most keepers will be 6"-8" fish averaging
1/4 lb.
Top
CARLYLE LAKE
Largemouth
bass - good - Angling should be about the same as last year. The average
legal-sized bass will be 2.3 pounds, with most being 1.5 to 4.0 pounds.
Sauger -
fair - The average size of legal sauger will be 2.2 pounds, with fish
to 4 pounds available for harvest. The tailwater supports the largest
concentration of fish.
Crappie -
fair - Numbers remain very low. Angler success will be similar in 2002.
Average Spring crappie will be 10 to 12 inches in length. Quality is excellent,
quantity is low.
White bass
- excellent - Numbers are about the same as last year. Good number of
1/3 to 1 pound fish are present with some reaching 2 pounds. Expect average
to be 11.0 inches and 0.65 pounds.
Catfish -
good - There is an abundance of 2 to 5 pound channel catfish. Flathead
catfish are numerous in the 5 to 10 pound category, with 20 to 50 pound
fish common.
Bluegill
- good - Keepers will be 6 to 8 inches and average 0.25 to 0.40 pounds.
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