Du Quoin City Lake

Redear Sunfish

Excellent

The fishery for Redear Sunfish in Du Quoin City Lake is of high quality, containing an abundance of fish between 9 and 11 inches. A total of 124 Redear were captured during the 2025 spring electrofishing survey, of which 63% were over 9 inches and 19% were over 10 inches. Mean relative weight remained excellent at 108, indicating an ample forage base of mollusks in the lake. The abundance of emergent vegetation (Spatterdock) in the lake provides excellent habitat and harbors a plentiful supply of aquatic snails, which Redear utilize as a primary food source.

Crappie spp.

Very Good

Du Quoin City Lake supports a quality crappie fishery consisting of Black, White, and Hybrid Crappie. During the 2025 fall trap net survey, a total of 286 crappie (35.8/net night) were captured in trap nets set overnight, greatly exceeding the management target of 10/net night. Of the crappie sampled, 22 were Black Crappie, 248 were White Crappie, and 16 were hybrids. About 55% of crappie were over 9 inches and 34% were over 10 inches. The largest crappie in the sample was a hybrid measuring 15.5 inches and weighing 2.1 lbs. Otolith age data collected during previous surveys demonstrated that growth rates for both Black and White Crappie were relatively good. In summary, the crappie population is in good condition and anglers should expect quality fishing opportunities.

Largemouth Bass

Good

The bass population is showing signs of improvement. Largemouth Bass were captured at a record high rate of 97/hour during the 2025 spring electrofishing survey, which exceeded the management target of 60/hour and was up significantly from the 10-year average of 63/hour. Of the bass in the sample, 26% were at least 15 inches and 10% were at least 18 inches. Body condition of bass in the sample was relatively good with a relative weight of 96. In summary, the bass population is in relatively good condition and should provide quality angling opportunities.

Channel Catfish

Very Good

A total of 70 Channel Catfish were captured during the 2025 fall hoop net survey. Hoop nets were baited with Zote Soap and allowed to soak for 2 nights. The size structure of catfish collected in the sample indicates a quality fishery, with catfish over 10 lbs present. Length-at-age data derived from pectoral spines indicates fast growth, as age-2.5 fish ranged from 16-20 inches and age-3.5 fish generally ranged between 20-24 inches. Roughly 11,000 Channel Catfish were stocked from 2020-2022 by IDNR. We have been observing these cohorts of fish as they have grown and bolstered the population. We will continue to monitor the population on a biennial basis as these stocked fish dwindle from harvest and natural mortality. Although surveys have documented natural reproduction, overall numbers may decline as stocked fish die off over time.

Bluegill

Very Good

Du Quoin City Lake continues to support a quality fishery for Bluegill. During the 2025 spring electrofishing survey, 208 Bluegill were captured, of which 8.6% were over 8 inches. The largest Bluegill in the sample measured 8.5 inches in length. Although the abundance of emergent vegetation (Spatterdock) in the lake provides excellent habitat and positively influences Bluegill growth, competitive interactions with Gizzard Shad, Yellow Bass, and other panfishes is a limiting factor of Bluegill growth. In addition, overharvest of large, breeding male Bluegill can have a direct negative impact on Bluegill growth rates. In instances of overharvest, smaller male Bluegill often mature earlier at smaller sizes, after which growth slows significantly as energy is directed to reproduction. Thus anglers are encouraged to be conservative when harvesting large male Bluegill on spawning beds.