Walnut Point Lake
Location 52 acres
Fishing Outlook
Largemouth Bass
Good
Largemouth Bass are abundant and fishing prospects are rated as good. Anglers are allowed to keep smaller bass to help thin the population. All bass between 12-15 inches must be released immediately to ensure a high quality fishery and sufficient predation pressure on bluegill. Good numbers of bass from 1/2 – 2 lbs. are present with fish over 5 pounds are caught occasionally. Fishing prospects are rated as good for 2016. Site Regulation: Both largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 6 fish daily creel limit and 12-15 inch slot length limit.
Bluegill
Excellent
Bluegill fishing is excellent and there are many fish exceeding 8 inches (some even 9 inches) ranging from 1/4 – 3/4+ lbs. A maximum length limit is in effect and providing outstanding results in developing a quality fishery. The daily harvest limit is 20 fish per day, of which only 5 Bluegill or redear can be 8-inches or larger. A brochure is available which explains the history of Bluegill management and research leading to the utilization of this regulation at Walnut Point. Anglers are encouraged to practice catch-and- release of the largest Bluegill to further increase the quality of this fishery. Site Regulation: 20 fish daily limit; only 5 fish out of the 20 daily limit can be 8 inches or longer.
Redear Sunfish
Good
Redear Sunfish numbers are moderate and fishing fair-good. Anglers may catch redear over 10 inches and 3/4+ pounds. Site Regulation: 20 fish daily limit; only 5 fish out of the 20 daily limit can be 8 inches or longer.
Black Crappie
Good
Black Crappie are generally abundant and fishing prospects rated as good for 2016. Anglers may catch crappie up to 13 inches and 1+ pound.
Channel Catfish
Very Good
Channel Catfish are maintained through annual stockings from IDNR hatcheries. Fishing is rated as good to excellent for 2016. The average catch is from 3/4 - 2 lbs., with some catfish 10+ pounds caught. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit, no length limit.
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 2371 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 1418 |
| 2023 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 2360 |
Contact
Description
The lake covers 52 surface acres with a maximum depth of 32 feet and average depth of 12.5 feet. Numerous bank fishing sites are available with many fishing piers/docks recently built. Several handicap accessible piers are present. Public boat launching facilities are available with handicap accessibility. This site has facilities for camping, hiking, hunting, and picnicking. An onsite concession offers food, bait and tackle, boat rental, ice and firewood.Fishery History
The fish population in Walnut Point Lake is surveyed intensively every 2 years. Special surveys are conducted on alternate years. Fish are collected by electrofishing, then measured and weighed before releasing the fish alive back in the lake. Aquatic vegetation is monitored annually. Desirable species of aquatic plants are being introduced to help compete for nutrients against undesirable plants like filamentous algae and to prevent shoreline erosion and provide valuable fish habitat. Fish attractors have been created and placed in various locations, some on the left edges of fishing piers. Green Sunfish, Common Carp, and Flathead Catfish are present in low to moderate numbers. It is very unfortunate that carp and Flathead Catfish were introduced by anglers. Common Carp degrade water quality, compete for desirable and limited food items, and reduce angling quality for all species. Flathead Catfish compete with anglers for quality-size panfish and are not desirable in a lake of this size. Please never release fish, including minnows, from any other source/location into this lake.Site Regulations
Boats can be powered manually or by electric trolling motors only; no gas engines allowed on boats. No swimming is allowed.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing
- Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 5 greater than or equal to 8 inches
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 15 inches; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
