Choose another lake

SULE, LAKE


Lake Information

County: Ogle

Acreage: 77

Average Depth: 8.5 feet

Shoreline Length: 1.4 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? 10 HP or less

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? No


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

1400

2022

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

1325

2022

Muskellunge

Adult

82

2022

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

5832

2023

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

966

2023

Muskellunge

Adult

77


Additional information for stocking on Sule, Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Average

A total of 270 Bluegills were collected ranging from 20 – 183 mm (0.8 – 7.2 in), with 62 > Stock size (80 mm [3.1 in]). This survey did meet the minimum required number of fish > Stock size (n = 50) to quantify population demographics as set forth in the Lake Management Plan (LMP). The PSD fell within its respective target ranges, while RSD-7 fish only collected 1 fish. Body condition (as indexed by relative weight) exceeded the 90th percentile for Quality and Preferred sized fish. A high body condition indicates sufficient forage for fish growth. Despite Bluegill densities being high, and good Bluegill body condition, very few larger Bluegill were collected (as indicated by low the RSD-7 value). It’s possible that larger fish are present but were difficult to collect due to water clarity and water levels being low at the time of the survey.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Improving

A total of 55 Largemouth Bass were collected ranging from 80 – 313 mm (3.1 – 12.3 in), with 27 of those fish > Stock size (200 mm [7.9 in]). Unfortunately, this survey did not meet the minimum required number of fish > Stock size (n = 30) to quantify population demographics as set forth in the lake management plan (LMP). However, I believed 27 fish > Stock size sufficient to continue with the analysis. Both the PSD and RSD-14 fell below their respective target ranges. A lower PSD and RSD-14 value could indicate a growth bottleneck due to an overabundance of Stock and Quality-sized Largemouth Bass which limits forage availability and/or overabundant vegetation making foraging difficult. This may be due to the Largemouth bass stocking program that was started a couple years ago. Also, larger sized bass could have been missed due to the water level being very low during sampling.

MUSKELLUNGE

Improving

The Muskie population at Lake Sule has been historically good but no Muskie were collected in the 2022 trap net survey. Muskie were also observed in the August 2020 fish kill which could have reduced or killed off the population. Annual stocking is still ongoing and smaller Muskie were observed in 2022 electrofishing surveys.

SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

Developing

Saugeye were initially stocked in 2022 and will be stocked every year. Future population surveys will be conducted to evaluate stocking success.

Location: Lake Sule is located at the junction of I39 and I88 southeast of Rochelle in Ogle County Illinois.

Description: The lake has a maximum depth of 15 feet with an average depth of 8.5 feet. The lake is nearly rectangular in shape with a shoreline of 1.4 miles and no bays or indentations. With 76.6 acres the lake contains 653.7-acre feet of water or nearly 213 million gallons.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Lake Sule is a dug borrow pit whose fill was used for overpass construction of I-39 and the junction of I-88 southeast of Rochelle. Digging commenced in 1979 and the lake was formed in January 1982 after digging had stopped in the fall of 1981. An incoming ditch drains the interstate highway and agricultural land to the east. The outflow forms a major eastern tributary of the Kyte Creek system. Through the efforts of Mike Sule and Lyle Kundy the Flagg-Rochelle Park District was deeded this property in 1982 as a future fishing lake and recreational area. In 1991 a boating grant was awarded to the park district for development of facilities and a boat launch. By 1994 a boat launch and an access road were in place. In October 1996 the lake was dedicated as Lake Sule in the Lyle Kundy recreational area in a well-attended outdoor ceremony.

Additional Lake Information: SPORT FISH REGULATIONS IN EFFECT:

All Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Pole and Line Fishing Only
Large or Smallmouth Bass . . . . . . . . . . .1 Fish Daily Creel Limit (14˝ Minimum Length Limit)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish . . . . . . . . . . .5 Fish Daily Creel Limit (No Minimum Length Limit)
Channel Catfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Fish Daily Creel Limit (No Minimum Length Limit)
Pure Muskellunge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Fish Daily Creel Limit (36˝ Minimum Length Limit)
Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass > 17”. .3 Fish Daily Creel Limit (17˝ Length or Longer)
Walleye, Sauger, or Saugeye . . . . . . . . . 6 Fish Daily Creel Limit (14˝ Minimum Length Limit)
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie . . . . . . 10 Fish Daily Creel Limit (No Minimum Length Limit)

Contact Information:
Flagg-Rochelle Park District
815-562-7813
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Brennan Caputo
630-360-4181