Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Blue Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

13603

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

13500

2022

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

12025

2022

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

49619

2022

Largemouth Bass

Fingerling 1 - 3"

47684

2022

Redear Sunfish

Fingerling 1 - 3"

165395

2022

Sauger

Fingerling 1 - 3"

135952

2022

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fry

5000

2023

Blue Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

6988

2023

Blue Catfish

Fingerling 1 - 3"

9820

2023

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

38643

2023

Largemouth Bass

Fingerling 1 - 3"

94819

2023

Redear Sunfish

Fingerling 1 - 3"

197217

2023

Sauger

Fingerling 1 - 3"

203153

2023

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

28585

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUE CATFISH

Developing

Blue catfish were stocked for the first time in 2021. These fish should grow well and add an additional trophy fish to the existing catfish fishery.

BLUEGILL

Fair

The Bluegill population in Carlyle Lake remains fair. Catch rates during the 2023 survey were up with 111 fish collected per hour of electrofishing compared to 97 fish per hour in 2022. Twenty-one percent of the stock-sized (adult) Bluegill collected were over 6 inches, but very few were over 7 inches. Bluegill fishing should be fair for medium-sized fish in Carlyle Lake.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

The Channel Catfish population is very consistent in Carlyle Lake. We collected 10 Channel Catfish per hour, which is very similar to the numbers collected in the past 10 years of surveys. Lengths ranged from 12–27 inches and weights ranged from 1–7 pounds. Channel Catfish are abundant in the lake and should provide good angling opportunities for quality-sized fish.

CRAPPIE

Excellent

The crappie population in Carlyle Lake remains excellent. The combined catch rate of White and Black Crappie in our 2023 electrofishing survey was 51 fish per hour. The combined catch rate of White and Black Crappie in our 2023 spring trap netting survey was 29 fish per net-night. These numbers are consistent with previous surveys. Sixty-nine percent of the stock sized (adult) White Crappie collected by electrofishing were over the minimum length limit of 10 inches, and 29 percent of the Black Crappie were over 10 inches. Our 2023 spring netting survey had positive results as well. 66% of the stock-sized White Crappie and 26 percent of Black Crappie netted were over 10 inches. Nine percent of stock sized White Crappie and 10 percent of Black Crappie netted were over 12 inches. This shows a high percentage of quality sized fish present. A good number of young crappie were also collected in the 2023 surveys which should help ensure the quality of the population in coming years. Crappie fishing should be excellent for numbers of fish and size quality. Site Regulation: 10 inch minimum length limit/15 fish per day creel limit

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Very Good

The Flathead Catfish population is very consistent in Carlyle Lake. We collected 5 Flathead Catfish per hour, which is very similar to the numbers collected in the past 10 years of surveys. Lengths ranged from 8–36 inches and weights ranged from less than a pound to 35 pounds. There is an abundance of large fish in the population that should provide good angling opportunities for quality sized fish. Flathead Catfish fishing should be very good in Carlyle Lake.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Fair

We collected 25 Largemouth Bass per hour during the 2023 electrofishing survey, which is very similar to the 27 per hour collected in the 2022 survey. Thirty-five percent of the stock-sized (adult) fish collected were longer than the minimum length limit of 14 inches, and 29 percent were over 15 inches. Four percent were over 18 inches. The largest bass collected was 20 inches and weighed 4.6 pounds. Young of the year fish were also collected indicating some spawning occurred in 2023. Fish of all sizes were in excellent body condition indicating an abundant forage base (primarily Gizzard Shad) and good growth. Angling opportunities for Largemouth Bass should be fair to good. Site Regulation: 14 inch minimum length limit, 6 fish per day creel limit.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Developing

The IDNR is stocking redear sunfish.

SAUGER

Good

The Sauger catch rate during the 2023 survey was one fish per hour, which is consistent with the numbers collected in the past 10 years of surveys. Lengths ranged from 7–21.5 inches. Although Sauger do not occur in high numbers in our surveys, they are an established species in Carlyle Lake and should provide good fishing opportunities for anglers that know how to target them.

WHITE BASS

Very Good

White Bass remain very abundant and exhibit a good population structure. The catch rate during our 2023 survey was 75 White Bass per hour, which is up from 59 per hour collected in 2022. Multiple year classes were collected including young of the year fish, indicating a successful spawning effort. The overall size is down a little from previous surveys. Thirty-six percent of the stock sized (adult) fish collected were over 12 inches; 16 percent were over 13 inches; and 7 percent were over 14 inches. Expect White Bass fishing to be very good with high numbers but slightly smaller sizes. Site Regulation: No creel limit if under 17 inches; 3 fish per day combined creel limit of White Bass, Striped Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids if 17 inches or longer.

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