Wheel Lake - Banner Marsh

Channel Catfish

Good

The Channel Catfish population was represented by 4 fish in the spring trap nets and 10 fish in the fall electrofishing in 2024. These fish were in good body condition with an average Wr of 111. The PSD of 90 and RSD18 of 80 indicates a population of large fish is present. 700 Channel Catfish were stocked in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

White Bass

Poor

White Bass have been collected since 2010 in IDNR surveys. They were probably an introduction by anglers from the Illinois River. In 2020, a total of 1 White Bass was collected at 17 inches. In 2019, a total of 13 White Bass were collected from 12.6 to 17.7 inches. In 2022, a total of 6 White Bass were collected from 16.6 to 18.1 inches. In 2023, a total of 1 White Bass was collected at 17.5 inches in length. The body condition was good at a Wr of 95. No White Bass were collected in 2024. A low-density population will probably be maintained through natural reproduction and recruitment.

Flathead Catfish

Fair

A brood stock introduction of Flathead Catfish was completed in 2000. 126 fish were stocked at an average weight of 4.9 pounds each. These fish should reproduce and maintain a low-density population in the Marsh. Their diet has been shown to consist mainly of gizzard shad, bullheads, crawfish, carp, bluegill and crappie. 10 Flathead Catfish were collected by DC electrofishing in 2010, 1 in 2011, 4 in 2012, 9 in 2013, 1 in 2014, 8 in 2015 and 10 in 2016. In 2017, 6 fish from 20 to 46 inches were collected. In 2018, 3 fish from 22 to 32 inches were collected. In 2019, 6 fish from 18 to 37 inches were collected. And in 2020, 1 fish was collected at 19 inches in length. In 2022, 3 fish were collected from 26.3 to 40.6 inches in length. None were collected in 2023. In 2024, 8 fish were collected from 8.2 to 42.3 inches in length. Natural reproduction and recruitment have been occurring in Wheel Lake.

Muskellunge

Good

The muskie population was sampled by 1 fish in the spring trap net survey and 3 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. These fish ranged from 13.1 to 46.3 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good with an average Wr of 97. Muskie had been stocked annually in Wheel Lake since the fall of 1996 at a rate of 1/acre. No muskie were stocked in 2015 or 2016. In 2017, 352 fish at 12.4 inches were stocked. No muskie stocking occurred in 2020 due to COVID production issues at Jake Wolf Hatchery. In 2021, 2,787 fish at 3 inches were stocked in June, and 423 fish at 13 inches were stocked in September. In 2024, 352 fish at 12.85 inches were stocked on 9/17/2024. A triennial stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy muskie. Illinois (Jake Wolf) muskie strain appear to be doing very good in this lake.

Crappie spp.

Fair

In 2024, 59 black crappies were sampled in the spring trap nets with a PSD of 86, RSD9 of 42, RSD10 of 24, and an RSD11 of 9. 34 white crappies were sampled with a PSD of 82, RSD9 of 50, RSD10 of 38 and a RSD11 of 35. The body condition ratings were 92 and 95. Both crappie populations have seen a dramatic improvement in size indices since 2018. In 2018, the crappie harvest regulation changes to a harvest limit of 25 fish per day with only 10 fish over 10 inches allowed. Anglers should be able to concentrate on crappie with the flooded brush providing excellent habitat.

Largemouth Bass

Good

The Largemouth Bass population was evaluated by 149 stock size bass from electrofishing with 143 minutes of effort. The Largemouth Bass population indices showed a high percentage of fish from 4 to 20 inches with good relative weight values. In 2000, the bass regulation for the Marsh was changed from a 14-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish per day - to a 12 to 18 inch protected slot length with a harvest of 3 fish under or over the slot per day. The 2024 electrofishing survey indicated a size structure that is continuing to maintain a good level and stability since 2001. The PSD of 81, RSD14 of 60, RSD16 of 36 and the RSD18 of 11 have been consistent since 2012. The average body condition was a good at a value of 93. The goal of the protected slot length limit was to create a high density bass population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the high density of slow growing panfish and the rough fish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 14 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to harvest more fish.

Bluegill

Poor

The Bluegill and redear sunfish population were subsampled in 2024. The Bluegill and redear populations continue to have poor size structure and body condition. The food and space competition with gizzard shad and common carp have continued the slow growth of the panfish.