Whalon Lake

Black Crappie

Average

The Fall 2023 electrofishing survey resulted in a total of 8 Black Crappie collected ranging from 2.8 in to 3.1 in, with none of those fish > 5.0 in. Average length was 75 mm (3.0 in). Electrofishing is not a standard gear for evaluating Crappie populations and Fall trap netting is typically conducted to understand these fisheries.

Channel Catfish

Average

Channel Catfish were absent from this survey and are typically collected in low numbers. Community electrofishing is not typically used to evaluate Channel Catfish populations, so Channel Catfish are likely more abundant than the survey indicates. Non-Vulnerable Channel Catfish (NVC) are requested from the state hatchery system on a rotational basis. Site Regulation: 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Walleye

Good

The Spring 2023 electrofishing survey resulted in a total of 22 Walleye collected ranging from 7.3 in to 24.3 in, with 13 of those fish > 10.0 in. Average length was 13.0 in. This was the first nighttime electrofishing survey conducted for Walleye on Whalon Lake, so benchmark data has not been collected yet. Catch rates were at the desired threshold, though not as high as other waterbodies in Northern Illinois. Part of the challenge is finding areas where adult Walleye congregate, but once those locations are found a higher sample size should be obtained. Body condition was good overall. Thirty-six percent of all fish were legal size, and 62% of fish > Stock-size were legal size. The number of Walleye stocked in 2023 was reduced substantially due to some water chemistry issues at the LaSalle State Hatchery. Site Regulation: Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 16-inch Minimum Length Limit (3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit).

Bluegill

Fair

The Fall 2023 electrofishing survey resulted in a total of 14 Bluegill collected ranging from 4.6 in to 6.9 in, with 14 of those fish > 3.0. Average length was 5.5 in. Bluegill catch declined from the 2021 survey, with only 14 fish collected. PSD and PSD-P remain below the target thresholds, though body condition of the few that were collected was quite good. This small collection is perplexing, though has been observed in past surveys. For example, only 8 fish were collected during electrofishing in 2015 though about 55 were collected in trap nets. A Spring panfish trap netting survey may be warranted to see what adult catches are like. Site Regulation: Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Largemouth Bass

Average

The Fall 2023 electrofishing survey resulted in a total of 155 Largemouth Bass collected ranging 2.4 in to 19.4 in, with 14 of those fish > 8.0. Average length was 5.3 in .Largemouth Bass CPUE was extraordinarily high for a Fall survey, due to the plethora of YOY fish collected (as evidenced by a low CPUE > 150 mm). Unfortunately, the number of fish over Stock-sized greatly declined. While all above the target ranges, the proportional size distribution indices are not informative given the small sample size of fish > Stock-size. Body condition was excellent for all size groups which should relate positively to fish growth but again, a small sample of larger, weighable fish was collected. The 2023 Year Class is strong and if survival is high, hopefully correlates to greater adult abundances. A nighttime electrofishing survey may be warranted in future surveys to increase sampling efficiency. Site Regulation: 18-inch Minimum Length Limit (1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit).

Smallmouth Bass

Fair

The Fall 2023 electrofishing survey resulted in a total of 5 Smallmouth Bass collected ranging from 3.1 in to 18.7 in, with 1 of those fish > 7.0 in. Average length was 185 mm (7.3 in) Site Regulation: 18-inch Minimum Length Limit (1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit).