Mill Creek Lake

Bluegill

Good

Bluegill are abundant, however they rarely exceed 6-7 inches in length.

Muskellunge

Very Good

Muskie are stocked annually by IDNR hatcheries, which provides a healthy fishery with a good balance between numbers and growth. Most adult fish range from 32-42", though bigger fish are caught on occasion. Contrary to popular belief, muskie can actually help improve other sportfish populations by utilizing large gizzard shad as their primary prey, which are otherwise too large for other species to eat.

Redear Sunfish

Very Good

Redear Sunfish are present in good numbers from 8 to 10 inches long.

Largemouth Bass

Excellent

Largemouth Bass are very abundant, largely due to the ample aquatic vegetation found throughout the lake. During the most recent fisheries survey, 44% of adult (8"+) Largemouth Bass were 12"+, 20% were 15"+, and 7% were over 20"+. These numbers indicate the population has a healthy size structure. Relative weights were very good, with bass 15"+ exhibiting excellent body condition.

Channel Catfish

Good

Channel Catfish are stocked annually by IDNR hatcheries. A species-specific survey is needed to better quantify how these stocked fish are doing, however angler reports indicate that the population is doing well.

Crappie spp.

Fair

While both species of crappie are present in the lake, both also seem to be struggling. There appears to have been poor recruitment over the past several years, which seems to be correlated with the decrease in rainfall over the same time period. Water level and level fluctuation have both been correlated to recruitment success in research studies, and could be an underlying factor. Surveying efforts have been increased to continue to monitor the situation to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to inform management decisions.