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PYRAMID-BOULDER
Lake Information
County: Perry
Acreage: 40
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? No HP limit/No wake only
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2022 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1000 |
Additional information for stocking on Pyramid - Boulder Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Fair | Only one Black Crappie was collected in a gill net. However, crappie abundance is likely much higher than survey results would suggest. During the summer of 2020, multiple Black Crappie were collected in trap nets set to collect fish for contaminant analysis. However, trap net catches are notoriously inconsistent in strip mine lakes due to their unnatural bathymetry. | |
Fair | Size structure and relative weights were also poor for Bluegill. None were over 8 inches and mean relative weights were poor at 81. Similar to bass, poor growth is likely a consequence of extremely low fertility and dense aquatic vegetation. | |
Good | A small number of Channel Catfish were collected during the 2022 survey. Catfish ranged in size from 11-27 inches, the largest weighing nearly 6 lbs. Mean relative weight of fall-sampled catfish was decent at 88, although below the goal of 90. Given that Channel Catfish exhibit a moderate level of growth potential, non-vulnerable size catfish will be stocked annually to maintain adequate recruitment and maintain the fishery. Natural recruitment may not be adequate to maintain the population in such a small lake. | |
Poor | The Largemouth Bass fishery in Boulder Lake is poor and contains very few larger fish. Out of 57 bass collected during the electrofishing survey, only one quality-size bass was collected, which was about 19 inches. All other bass in the sample were under 10.5 inches and demonstrated stunted growth and poor relative weight (plumpness). All 57 bass were retained for otolith extraction and aging; stunted growth was evident. In this case, poor bass growth is likely a consequence of extremely low fertility and dense aquatic vegetation. Intensive herbicide treatments and lake fertilization would likely be necessary to improve bass growth. | |
Fair | Size structure and relative weights were also poor for Redear. None were over 8 inches and mean relative weights were poor at 86. Similar to bass and bluegill, poor growth is likely a consequence of extremely low fertility and dense aquatic vegetation. | |
Location: Pyramid State Park is located south of Pinckneyville in Perry County. To reach Boulder Lake, head west past the park office after entering Pyramid State Park
Description: Boulder Lake is a 40-acre strip mine lake that has existed since the 1950s. There is a concrete boat launch and dock at this lake. Water clarity is very high and submerged aquatic vegetation is dense throughout the lake.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Fisheries surveys conducted during 2022 consisted of a nocturnal spring electrofishing survey and fall netting survey. Survey results indicate that fish growth among all species is severely limited by the infertility of this lake and the high density of aquatic plants. Overabundant aquatic vegetation impedes the ability of predators (bass) to thin the fish population, resulting in an overabundance of small, slow-growing fish. Overabundant aquatic plants also soak up much of the suspended nutrients and particulate matter in the water column, which reduces overall lake fertility and plankton biomass and results in poor fish growth. Intensive herbicide treatments and lake fertilization would likely be necessary to improve fish growth in Boulder Lake, which may be attempted if efforts to do this are successful in smaller lakes at Pyramid State Park.
Additional Lake Information: Note: There is no motor HP limit, but all boats must be operated at no wake speed.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth bass: statewide limit of 6 fish/day
Channel catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish daily limit
Crappie: 25 fish daily limit
2 pole and line fishing only and bowfishing is allowed.
Fishing is allowed on this lake year-round.
Contact Information: Pyramid State Park: 618-357-2574 IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Nick Abell618-967-0952
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