Fox Chain O' Lakes

Bluegill

Very Good

In 2021, 55% of the Bluegill collected (n = 966) were longer than 6”. Fish ranged from 1.2” to 8.7” and topped the scale at 0.47 lbs.; 25% of the Bluegill collected were over 7” long and 3.3% exceeded 8” long. Bluegills are a bread and butter species in the Chain — if anglers aren’t targeting the big predators they’re probably catching Bluegills!

Crappie spp.

Excellent

Both Black Crappie (n=84) and White Crappie (n=63) catches have increased since 2015, but fish measured about the same across recent surveys, and were between 2” and 18” long and weighed up to 2.1 lbs. Good numbers of Black Crappie (43%) and White Crappie (61%) exceeded 9”, and 1.3% of Black Crappie and 21% of White Crappie exceeded 11” long. Crappie fishing remains popular in the Chain, especially in the spring. Fish beyond 16” are possible!

Smallmouth Bass

Fair

Smallmouth Bass make up about 10% of the total bass catch. They maintain themselves with natural reproduction. Fish up to 18" are collected during surveys.

Channel Catfish

Excellent

This species is maintained through natural reproduction, and they are common in river systems. Since the Chain is part of a river system these fish are a significant predator, relatively abundant and caught by a lot of fishermen. Channel Catfish ranged in size from 10” to 28” long and weighed up to 9.5 lbs. In 2021, 72% of the Channel Catfish collected exceeded 18” in length, 39% were over 22” long and 16% were over 24” long.

Largemouth Bass

Good

In 2021, Largemouth Bass were collected at a rate of 41.2 fish/hr., which is above the long-term average of 21.8 fish/hr. Fish measured from 2.5” to 20” long and weighed up to 4.4 lbs.; 50% of the bass collected were over 12” long and sexually mature, 24% exceeded 14 inches (legal size), 17% were over 15” long, 10% were over 16” long, and 1% were over 18”. The population appears to be well balanced and supports our goals to provide predation on panfish species and maximize bass angling opportunities.

Flathead Catfish

Fair

Flathead Catfish are present up and down the entire Fox River/Fox Chain O’ Lakes system but are more common the further you go below the McHenry Dam and all the way south to Dayton.

Northern Pike

Improving

Northern Pike are present in the system and are maintained through natural reproduction.

Muskellunge

Very Good

Muskie are managed for high catch rates and the longevity of the stocking program has allowed females to grow LARGE! The average Muskie is 36” long but fish up to 51” are reported by anglers almost annually. In the Chain, it takes at least 12 years for a Muskie to reach 48” (legal length) and about 15 years to reach 51”+. Male Muskie occasionally grow beyond 40” long but females easily grow through that size and are the biggest Muskie in the system. Muskie are surveyed each year with spring nets to track tagged fish and measure growth. Females weighing over 30 lbs. are regularly collected with our largest fish ever sampled weighing 36.2 lbs. (in 2007)! There are some really nice fish in the Chain!! The American Fisheries Society values Muskie at $50/lb., so have the right gear and practice good handling techniques. To put it in perspective: A 20 lb. Muskie is valued at $1000, a 48” fish weighing 30+ lbs. would be valued at over $2400!