Mays Lake
Info / DuPage County
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
No
Boat Ramps
No
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
Yes - More Info
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 8 acres
Fishing Outlook
Bluegill
Excellent
Bluegill catch rate was high at 169 fish per hour. This is higher than the management goal, but Bluegills were in good condition and not stunted. Forty-five percent of the Bluegills in the sample measured longer than six inches. Site Regulations: 25 fish daily harvest limit.
Largemouth Bass
Excellent
In our 2020 electrofishing survey, catch rate was 188 fish per hour. This rate is higher than the management goal of 60 fish per hour that we see in a healthy bass population but not high enough to cause concern. the bass population showed signs of trending toward a stunted population. Anglers are encouraged to harvest smaller bass (less than 14 inches) on occasion to keep numbers from getting too high. Site Regulations: 14-18 protected slot limit, 4 fish limit; 3 fish under 14 inches; 1 over 18 inches.
Contact
630-933-7200
Description
Mays Lake is a 9.5-acre dug pond with a maximum depth of 15 feet and an average depth of 8 feet. Mays Lake is one of 30 lakes and ponds owned and maintained for sport fishing by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (FPDDC). The District owns about 8 acres of Mays Lake. There is a 75 yard gravel trail from the parking lot that leads to fishing access. There is shoreline fishing access available on the north and east sides of the lake.Fishery History
These waters have been under management by 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. Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish are occasionally stocked to supplement the population. A 25-minute electrofishing survey of Mays Lake took place on June 4th, 2020. The Largemouth Bass and Bluegill populations have rebounded from a 2014 winterkill. The last survey in 2016 showed a more abundant bass population with a good proportion of large fish (over 15 inches). Bluegill abundance is down to a healthy level and plenty of fish over 6 inches were present. The 2020 survey mirrored the 2016 survey in many ways but numbers of bass over 15 inches are down.Site Regulations
No watercraft allowed.
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
- Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- White, Black or Hybrid Crappie: 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Yellow Perch: 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit