Willow Lake

Common Carp

Poor

Common Carp were not captured in the most recent survey, but they are present in Willow Lake. Carp tend to stir up sediments through their feeding behavior. This tends to increase turbidity which can lead to many other problems in small lakes. Carp should be removed from the lake whenever possible.

Bluegill

Very Good

While not as abundant as they were in the previous survey, Bluegill were captured at a rate of 188 fish per hour. Bluegill ranged in length from 2.1 to 7.3 inches, with an average size of 5.3 inches. Nineteen percent of the catch was longer than six inches.

Largemouth Bass

Excellent

Largemouth Bass were very abundant and caught at a rate of 224 fish per hour. The average bass was 10.3 inches long. Multiple sizes indicate successful reproduction in this lake and plenty of small fish were observed. Abundant forage species (bluegill, gizzard shad and golden shiner) keep the bass in this lake fat and healthy.

Channel Catfish

Developing

No Channel Catfish were captured in this survey. This pond is scheduled to receive Channel Catfish every other year from the IDNR’s catfish stocking program. Channel Catfish are difficult to sample with our electrofishing gear as they are typically using deeper habitat than we sample. Since catfish stocking began in 2012, there should be plenty of large Channel in Willow Lake.