Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

700

2023

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

700

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

The bluegill and redear sunfish population were sampled in low numbers in 2022. The bluegill and redear populations continue to have poor size structure and body condition. The food and space competition with gizzard shad and common carp have continued the slow growth of the panfish.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

The channel catfish population was represented by 16 fish in the spring trap nets in 2022. These fish were in good body condition with an average Wr of 102. The PSD of 100 and RSD18 of 94 indicates a population of large fish is present. 700 channel catfish were stocked in 2022.

CRAPPIE

Fair

In 2022, 57 black crappie were sampled with a PSD of 93, RSD9 of 67, RSD10 of 49, and an RSD11 of 32. 70 white crappie were sampled with a PSD of 96, RSD9 of 81, RSD10 of 73 and a RSD11 of 54. The body condition ratings were 91 and 99. Both crappie populations have seen a dramatic improvement in size indices since 2018. In 2018, the crappie harvest regulation changes to a harvest limit of 25 fish per day with only 10 fish over 10 inches allowed. Anglers should be able to concentrate on crappie with the flooded brush providing excellent habitat.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Fair

A brood stock introduction of Flathead catfish was completed in 2000. 126 fish were stocked at an average weight of 4.9 pounds each. These fish should reproduce and maintain a low density population in the Marsh. Their diet has been shown to consist mainly of gizzard shad, bullheads, crawfish, carp, bluegill and crappie. 10 flathead catfish were collected by DC electrofishing in 2010, 1 in 2011, 4 in 2012, 9 in 2013, 1 in 2014, 8 in 2015 and 10 in 2016. In 2017, 6 fish from 20 to 46 inches were collected. In 2018, 3 fish from 22 to 32 inches were collected. In 2019, 6 fish from 18 to 37 inches were collected. And in 2020, 1 fish was collected at 19 inches in length. In 2022, 3 fish were collected from 26.3 to 40.6 inches in length. Natural reproduction and recruitment has been occurring in Wheel Lake.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

In 2022, a spring trap net survey and a fall D.C. electrofishing survey was used to evaluate the fish population. The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 203 stock size bass from electrofishing with 100 minutes of effort. The largemouth bass population indices showed a high percentage of fish from 4 to 20 inches with good relative weight values. In 2000, the bass regulation for the Marsh was changed from a 14 inch minimum size limit and 1 fish per day - to a 12 to 18 inch protected slot length with a harvest of 3 fish under or over the slot per day. The 2022 electofishing survey indicated a size structure that is continuing to maintain a good level and stability since 2001. The PSD of 73, RSD14 of 43, RSD16 of 21 and the RSD18 of 6 have been consistent since 2012. The average body condition was a little low at 93. The goal of the protected slot length limit was to create a high density bass population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the high density of slow growing panfish and the rough fish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 14 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to harvest more fish.

MUSKELLUNGE

Good

The muskie population was sampled by a total of 4 stock size muskie by the spring of 2022 trap net survey (.3 fish per net night). These fish ranged from 37 to 47.2 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good with an average Wr of 91. Muskie had been stocked annually in Wheel lake since the fall of 1996 at a rate of 1/acre. No muskie were stocked in 2015 or 2016. In 2017, 352 fish at 12.4 inches were stocked. No muskie stocking occurred in 2020 due to COVID production issues at Jake Wolf Hatchery. In 2021, 2,787 fish at 3 inches were stocked in June, and 423 fish at 13 inches were stocked in September. A triennial stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy muskie. Illinois (Jake Wolf) muskie strain appear to be doing very good in this lake.

WHITE BASS

Fair

White bass have been collected since 2010 in IDNR surveys. They were probably an introduction by anglers from the Illinois River. In 2020, a total of 1 white bass was collected at 17 inches. In 2019, a total of 13 white bass were collected from 12.6 to 17.7 inches. In 2022, a total of 6 white bass were collected from 16.6 to 18.1 inches. The body condition was okay at a Wr of 87. A low density population will probably be maintained through natural reproduction and recruitment.

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