Bass 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
Location 15 acres
Fishing Outlook
Bluegill
Fair
Bluegill catch was low at 76 fish per hour of electrofishing. Forty percent of the Bluegills sampled were longer than 6 inches.
Largemouth Bass
Excellent
In our most recent survey the catch rate was 116 fish per hour which is higher than it has been in recent surveys (since 2007), and is higher than the management goal. Despite the moderately high catch rate, the population looked healthy and fat with no signs of stunting. Multiple year classes were present in the sample with 76% of the sample measuring between 8 and 12 inches. Largemouth Bass size structure was most likely underestimated due to the late sample date, as most bass were not using shallow spawning habitat.
Channel Catfish
Good
No Channel Catfish were captured during the last survey. This lake receives regular stockings of Channel Catfish so they are much more abundant than this survey would suggest.
Contact
630-933-7200
Description
Bass Lake is a 15 acre gravel/clay pit with a maximum depth of 30 feet and an average depth of 18 feet. Bass Lake is one of 30 lakes and ponds owned and maintained for sport fishing by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (FPDDC). Bass Lake is a walk in only lake accessible via a 0.75 mile walk on gravel and mowed trails. There is shoreline fishing access available via mowed paths around the preserve. There are no fishing piers. No watercraft are allowed. The FPDDC has installed several fish attracting structures in this lake.Fishery History
These waters are under management of the FPDDC Fishery Ecologist to provide quality sport fishing opportunities. In 1984, the FPDDC entered into a cooperative management agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to facilitate management activities. Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, and Redear Sunfish have been stocked by the FPDDC. Redear Sunfish were stocked beginning in 2012 to combat a newly discovered population of invasive zebra mussels. Electrofishing surveys take place every 4 years on district waters, the most recent occurring June 9th, 2020. Largemouth Bass abundance was higher than previous surveys and some quality-sized fish are available. Catch rates for panfish (Bluegill, Black Crappie and Redear Sunfish) have been variable over time, but the opportunity for catching nice panfish exists in this lake. Crystal clear water, minimal access and abundant aquatic vegetation may make fishing Bass Lake a little tricky. Due to the presence of zebra mussels, gear used in this lake should be cleaned and dried before using it in other waters. Spring surveys are usually conducted in late April.
Site Regulations
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
- Northern Pike: 24 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)
- White, Black or Hybrid Crappie: 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit