North West Lake - SHFWA
Info / Knox County
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
Yes - Carry in only; Electric motors only
Boat Ramps
No
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
No
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 6.5 acres
Fishing Outlook
Redear Sunfish
Excellent
In 2023, The Redear Sunfish population was sampled by 3 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 12 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in very good body condition.
Bluegill
Very Good
In 2023, The Bluegill population was sampled by 60 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current Bluegill population is rated as very good with the larger fish over 9.0 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition.
Black Crappie
Good
In 2023, the Black Crappie population was sampled by 17 fish from 2 to 12 inches in the electrofishing survey. The body condition was good. In 2017, the crappie regulation was changed from a 5 fish daily harvest limit to a 25 fish daily harvest limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches. The goal of the regulation is to allow the harvest of more of the slower growing Black Crappie, while maintaining and promoting the population structure of crappie over 10 inches in length.
Largemouth Bass
Good
In 2023, a late summer D.C. electrofishing survey was used to evaluate the fish population. The Largemouth Bass population was evaluated by 56 stock size bass from electrofishing. The Largemouth Bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 2 to 15 inches in length with average Relative weights. In 2017, the bass regulation for Snakeden Hollow SFWA waters were changed from a 3 fish daily harvest limit with only 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches to a protected slot length limit from 14 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit. The goal of the regulation is to increase the density of the bass population from 14 to 18 inches. And in 2023, the bass percentage had remained at 20% over 14 inches. This increased bass density should help create a population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the panfish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 15 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to still harvest fish under 14 inches.
Contact
309-879-2607
Description
Northwest Lake is a 7-acre strip-mine lake with a maximum depth of 29 feet and an average depth of 12 feet.Fishery History
The current Bluegill population is rated as very good with the larger fish over 8.0 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition. The current Redear Sunfish population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 11 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in very good body condition. The Channel Catfish population was not sampled in the electrofishing survey. This population is of low density. The last stocking of non-vulnerable Channel Catfish was in 2008. None are scheduled for the future.Site Regulations
All use other than waterfowl hunting is prohibited from 14 days prior to the start of the regular duck season through the end of the central zone Canada goose season.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- Recreational Use Restriction: Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (see above)
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing
- All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig
- Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- 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 14 inches and less than 18 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Muskie: Protected Slot Length Limit with 1 fish greater than or equal to 36 inches and less than 42 inches or 1 fish greater than or equal to 48 inches
- Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit (statewide regulation); 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches