Carlyle Lake

Sauger

Fair

The Sauger catch rate during the 2025 survey was approximately one fish per hour, which is consistent with the numbers collected in the past 10 years of surveys. The largest sauger collected was 18.9 inches and weighed 2.1 pounds. Although Sauger do not occur in high numbers in our surveys, they are an established species in the lake and should provide good fishing opportunities for anglers that know how to target them.

Bluegill

Fair

The Bluegill population in Carlyle Lake remains fair. Catch rates during the 2025 survey were 71 fish per hour of electrofishing compared to 76 fish per hour in 2024. 34 percent of the catchable sized Bluegill collected were over 6 inches but only 3 percent were over 7 inches. Anglers can expect to catch good numbers of Bluegill; however, the average size will be less than 6 inches.

Largemouth Bass

Fair

The Largemouth Bass population in Carlyle Lake remains fair. We collected 20 Largemouth Bass per hour during the 2025 electrofishing survey, which is up slightly from the 17 per hour collected in the 2024 survey. 39 percent of the catchable population exceeded the minimum length limit of 14 inches, and 33 percent were over 15 inches. 9 percent were over 18 inches. The largest bass collected was 20 inches and weighed 5.2 pounds. Young of the year fish were also collected indicating some spawning occurred in 2025. Fish of all sizes were in excellent body condition indicating an abundant forage base (primarily gizzard shad) and good growth.

Blue Catfish

Developing

Blue Catfish were stocked for the first time in 2021. 1 Blue Catfish was collected in our 2025 electrofishing survey. However, this marks the first time a Blue Catfish was collected in our electrofishing surveys since that stocking effort has started. It was 30 inches and weighed 8.7 pounds. Angler reports of catching Blue Catfish have been increasing in recent years and these stocked fish should provide additional angling opportunities for anglers for years to come.

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Developing

Three Hybrid Striped Bass were collected in our 2025 survey and ranged from 11 – 16 inches. Hybrids have been stocked into Carlyle Lake for the past few years to provide additional angling opportunities. Angler accounts along with the collections in our survey suggest that the population is doing well and providing good fishing opportunities.

Crappie spp.

Very Good

The crappie population in Carlyle Lake remains very good to excellent. The combined catch rate of White and Black crappie in our 2025 electrofishing survey was 26 fish per hour. These numbers are fairly consistent with previous surveys. 55 percent of the catchable sized White Crappie collected by electrofishing were over the minimum length limit of 10 inches, and 50 percent of the Black Crappie were over 10 inches. Supplemental spring trap netting surveys have been conducted on Carlyle Lake to better evaluate the crappie fishery in the lake. White Crappie made up 83 percent of the total catch and Black Crappie made up 17 percent. 62 percent of the catchable sized White Crappie exceeded 8 inches, 33 percent exceeded 10 inches, and 8 percent exceeded 12 inches. 64 percent of the catchable sized Black Crappie exceeded 8 inches, 33 percent exceeded 10 inches, and 5 percent were 12 inches or greater. Our spring netting survey had very high catch rates of White Crappie in the 7–8-inch range. This size class should continue to provide very good fishing opportunities in the next couple years for crappie in Carlyle Lake.

Flathead Catfish

Fair

The Flathead Catfish population is very consistent in Carlyle Lake. We collected 4 Flathead Catfish per hour in 2025 which is very similar to the numbers collected in the past 10 years of surveys. Lengths ranged from 8–25 inches and the biggest Flathead weighed 7.7lbs. There is an abundance of large fish in the population that should provide good angling opportunities for quality sized fish.

Channel Catfish

Excellent

The Channel Catfish population is very consistent in Carlyle Lake. Although catfish do not appear in high numbers in our surveys due to sampling equipment limitations, Channel Catfish are abundant as evidenced by angler reports, social media, catfish tournaments, guide services, etc. We collected 5 Channel Catfish per hour which is very similar to the numbers collected in the past 10 years of surveys. Fish measured from 15 to 26.8 inches and the heaviest fish weighed 6.1 pounds. There is an abundance of large fish in the population that should provide good angling opportunities for quality sized fish.

Redear Sunfish

Developing

The IDNR is stocking Redear Sunfish.

White Bass

Excellent

White Bass remain very abundant in Carlyle Lake. We collected 160 White Bass per hour compared to 97 in 2024. This marks a 65 percent increase in catch rates from 2024 to 2025. Multiple size classes and age classes were collected however fish in the 8–9-inch range dominated our catches in 2025. 79 percent of the catchable population was over 9 inches, and 18 percent was over 12 inches. Hopefully the 8-9 inch fish recruit to larger sizes and provide great fishing in the next couple years at Carlyle.