Poss Lake
Info / DuPage County
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
No
Boat Ramps
No
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
No
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 9 acres
Fishing Outlook
Common Carp
Good
Common Carp are abundant in Poss Lake. Twenty-four Carp were caught during the 45-minute sample. Carp ranged in length from 6.1 to 20.7 inches. Common Carp dislodge vegetation and cloud the water with their feeding behavior of “rooting” through the substrate. Unlimited harvest is encouraged for this detrimental species. Removal efforts will take place in the future.
Bluegill
Poor
The Bluegill catch rate of was 52 fish per hour, which is extremely low for Bluegill in area lakes and ponds. We like to see a catch rate around 120 fish per hour in a healthy Bluegill population. In 2012, the catch rate was 290 fish per hour. No Bluegill over six inches were caught in either sample.
Yellow Bass
Fair
Fourteen Yellow Bass were collected. They ranged in length from 3.9 to 6.8 inches. This population will be monitored closely as this species can reach nuisance levels very quickly without a proper predator population.
Channel Catfish
Good
Nine Channel Catfish were collected in the sample. They ranged in length from 14.6 to 24.0 inches long. Channel Catfish were stocked in 2012 and will be stocked again when the Bass and Bluegill populations have had time to stabilize.
Largemouth Bass
Poor
Twenty-seven Largemouth Bass were captured at a rate of 36 fish per hour (45 minutes of electrofishing). This is a small sample size to make population-level speculations from, however 25% of the bass were over 15 inches. The largest Bass in the 2021 sample weighed three pounds. When Poss Lake was sampled in 2012, Bass were caught at a rate of 121 fish per hour. The size structure of the Largemouth Bass in 2012 also looked good, with 55% of the sample measuring longer than 15 inches and the largest weighing close to five pounds. Poss Lake’s connection to an un-named creek has allowed multiple forage species (Black Crappie, Bluntnose Minnow, Gizzard Shad, and White Sucker) entry into the lake to help diversify the diet of the Largemouth Bass. Relative weight (a measure of the fish’s “plumpness”) is not an issue in Poss Lake.
Contact
General Inquiries
630-933-7200
Description
Poss Lake is a 9-acre dug flood control pond in the Big Woods Forest Preserve. It receives road runoff from I-88 and nearby shopping malls. Poss Lake has a kidney-bean shape, a maximum depth of 9 ft., and an average depth of 4.0 ft. The lake is located about 150 yards off the Illinois Prairie Path bike trail. A few areas are cleared for shore access. No amenities are available at this location. No watercraft are allowed.Fishery History
In 1984, the FPDDC entered into a Cooperative Management Agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to facilitate management activities on their lakes and ponds. These waters have been under management by the FPDDC Fishery Ecologist and IDNR to provide quality sport fishing opportunities. Poss Lake had not been sampled since 2012 due to poor access. The FPDDC recently improved access to allow for a survey boat to sample the lake. The fish community in this pond will be sampled every 4 years. Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass will be stocked when needed. Removal of over-abundant Common Carp is planned for the future. An electrofishing survey was conducted on April 29th of 2021 when the water warmed to 62° F. When sampled in 2012, Poss Lake had a good Largemouth Bass population and an over-abundance of small Bluegill. It seems that there was an unreported fish kill as the bass and Bluegill populations were not nearly as robust when sampled in 2021. Supplemental stocking at Poss Lake is planned for the future.Site Regulations
Watercraft are not allowed on Poss Lake.
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: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Channel Catfish: 12 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Largemouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of fish greater than or equal to 14 inches and less than 18 inches; 4 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and 3 fish less than 14 inches
- White, Black or Hybrid Crappie: 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Yellow Perch: 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit