Turner Lake - COLSP
Location 45 acres
Fishing Outlook
Black Crappie
Developing
Three Black Crappie were collected in our surve, with the largest being 9.3” long and weighing 0.5 lbs. IDNR preference is that anglers keep every crappie they catch and remove them from the lake until the bass population becomes established. Crappie can become very abundant, very fast, so until a strong predator base is established it’s best they aren’t allowed to establish!
Channel Catfish
Developing
Present via stocking, but the population is still developing. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit.
Largemouth Bass
Developing
14 bass were collected in 30 minutes of DC electrofishing. Fish measured up to 19.2” long and weighed up to 4.4 lbs. Most bass collected were less than 12” long and from supplemental stockings, but a few were breeder-size fish added to the lake following the winterkill to promote reproduction. Site Regulation: 15” length limit, 1 fish daily limit.
Northern Pike
Good
Northern Pike survived the winterkill. Fish have been stocked since and were collected up to 27” long. Northern Pike are a good predator to help balance the predator/prey ratios in a lake. Site Regulation: 24” length limit, 3 fish daily limit.
Bluegill
Improving
Some breeder size fish are present, but their abundance is low. Bluegill reproduce well and their abundance is expanding nicely.
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 860 |
| 2025 | Largemouth Bass | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 799 |
| 2025 | Northern Pike | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 136 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 450 |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 715 |
Contact
847-587-5512
Description
Turner Lake is a relatively shallow natural, glacial depression characterized as a bog lake. In 1974, a stoplog small dam and fish weir were installed to expand and stabilize water levels in the marsh adjacent to the lake to facilitate Northern Pike reproduction and prevent rough fish contamination via the Fox River/Chain O' Lakes system. An aeration system was installed in 1979 and is run each winter to keep an area open so noxious gases don’t build up under the ice causing a fish kill. The aeration line was replaced in 2011. Turner Lake is 45 acres and has a maximum depth of 10.0 feet with an average depth of 5.0 feet. The storage capacity is 228 acre-feet. There is a single, gravel boat ramp on the northeast end of the lake for primitive access and two fishing piers. Shore fishing opportunities are limited due to the nature of the shoreline. Rental boats are available through a concessionaire at the park's main boat launch (electric motors only), as are live bait, tackle, ice, food, and soft drinks. No fish cleaning station is available. Other amenities in the park include camping, picnic areas, playgrounds, crushed rock bike paths, and horseback riding and trails.Fishery History
Turner Lake receives regular fish surveys to evaluate stocked species and areas around access points and fishing piers are occasionally treated with aquatic herbicides to reduce abundance of Eurasian milfoil (an Aquatic Nuisance Species). Turner Lake receives annual stockings of 8- to 10-inch Channel Catfish, 8-inch Northern Pike, and periodic stockings of 4-inch Largemouth Bass. Turner Lake experienced a winter fish kill in 2013 (the blizzard year). Other species collected in surveys include Lake Chubsucker, Grass Pickerel, Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Warmouth and Iowa Darter (an endangered and threatened species).Site Regulations
Only electric trolling motors are allowed on watercraft in Turner Lake.
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
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Northern Pike: 24 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
