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BASS LAKE (FPDDC)
Lake Information
County: DuPage
Acreage: 15
Average Depth: 18.00 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? No
Boat Ramps? No
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? No
Camping? No
There are zebra mussels in this lake.
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Fair | Bluegill catch was low at 76 fish per hour. Forty percent of the bluegills sampled were longer than 6 inches. | |
Good | No Channel Catfish were captured during the survey. This lake receives regular stockings of Channel Catfish so they are much more abundant than this survey would suggest. Site regulation: 12-inch minimum length limit; 3 fish daily creel limit. | |
Excellent | In our most recent survey the catch rate was 116 fish per hour which is higher than it has been in recent surveys (since 2007) and is higher than goal of the management plan. Despite the moderately high catch rate, the population looked healthy and fat with no signs of stunting. Multiple year classes were present in the sample with 76% of the sample measuring between eight and twelve inches. Largemouth Bass size structure was most likely under-estimated due to the late sample date as most bass were not using shallow spawning habitat. Site regulation: 14-18-inch protected slot limit; 4 fish daily creel limit with 3 fish that can be harvested under 14 inches and 1 fish 18 inches and larger. | |
Location: Bass Lake is located in Bartlett (DuPage County) at the West Branch Forest Preserve on Army Trail Road, 1.6 miles east of Route 59.
Description: Bass Lake is a 15 acre gravel/clay pit with a maximum depth of 30 feet and an average depth of 18 feet. Bass Lake is one of 30 lakes and ponds owned and maintained for sport fishing by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (FPDDC). Bass Lake is a walk in only lake accessible via a 0.75 mile walk on gravel and mowed trails. There is shoreline fishing access available via mowed paths around the preserve. There are no fishing piers. No watercraft are allowed. The FPDDC has installed several fish attracting structures in this lake.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: These waters are under management of 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. Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, and Redear Sunfish have been stocked by the FPDDC. Redear sunfish were stocked beginning in 2012 to combat a newly discovered population of invasive zebra mussels. Electrofishing surveys take place every four years on district waters, the most recent occurring June 9th, 2020.
Largemouth Bass abundance was higher than previous surveys and some quality size fish are available. Catch rates for panfish (Bluegill, Black Crappie and Redear Sunfish) have been variable over time, but the opportunity for catching nice panfish exists in this lake. Crystal clear water, minimal access and abundant aquatic vegetation may make fishing Bass Lake a little tricky. Due to the presence of zebra mussels, gear used in this lake should be cleaned and dried before using it in other waters. Spring surveys are usually conducted in late April but were delayed in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only.
Site Specific Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: 14-18-inch protected slot limit; 4 fish daily creel limit with 3 fish that can be harvested under 14 inches and 1 fish 18 inches and larger.
Bluegill: No minimum length limit; 25 fish daily creel limit
Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum length limit; 3 fish daily creel limit.
White and Black Crappie: No minimum length limit; 15 fish daily creel limit.
Northern Pike: 24-inch minimum length limit; 3 fish daily creel limit (statewide regulation).
Contact Information: Forest Preserve District of DuPage CountyDan Grigas 630-933-7668IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Andy Plauck815-675-2386 ext. 214
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