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MUSKRAT POND
Lake Information
County: DUPAGE
Acreage: 4
Average Depth: 12.01 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Ramps? No
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Map courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Poor | Four small Black Crappie were captured in the 2021 survey. Black Crappie up to 11.5 inches have been captured in previous surveys. Crappie numbers tend to fluctuate greatly in lakes and ponds in the area and this year seems to be one of the “down” years for Muskrat Pond. Site Regulation: White and black crappie: No minimum length limit; 15 fish daily limit. | |
Good | Bluegill catch rate was 139 fish per hour. This is slightly higher than the desired 120 fish per hour goal in the management plan. Bluegill ranged in length from 1.2 to 7.0 inches with an average length of 4.2 inches. Nine percent of the Bluegill sampled were longer than six inches. Site Regulation: No minimum length limit; 25 fish daily limit. | |
Good | Common Carp are abundant in Muskrat Pond. Nineteen Carp were caught, ranging in length from 14.9 to 27.2 inches. Common carp dislodge vegetation and cloud the water with their feeding behavior of “rooting” through the substrate. Unlimited harvest is encouraged for this detrimental species. | |
Fair | One 19-inch Channel Catfish was captured in the survey. They should be fairly abundant at this “off the beaten path” pond where harvest should be low. Channel Catfish are rarely sampled in our spring electrofishing surveys. Site Regulation: 12-inch minimum length limit; 3 fish daily limit. | |
Good | Largemouth bass abundance was rated as good during the most recent survey. Bass were captured at a rate of 94 fish per hour. This catch rate is higher than the 60 fish per hour management goal, but not high enough to cause stunting in the Bass population. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 3.9 to 20.9 inches, with the heaviest fish weighing 5.5 pounds. Over 50% of the sample was longer than twelve inches, while eleven percent were longer than 15 inches. 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: Muskrat Pond is located in the Hawk Hollow Forest Preserve. Walk-in access is available off Army Trail Road at Klein Road in Bartlett.
Description: Muskrat Pond is a 3.3-acre gravel pit pond with a maximum depth of 25 ft. at normal water level and average depth is 12.0 ft. The bottom drops rapidly from the shoreline around most of the pond and little shallow littoral habitat is present. Clear water allows submersed vegetation to grow throughout much of the lake. The pond and much of its watershed are contained within the forest preserve and the shoreline is undeveloped. No amenities are available at this location.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The fish community in this pond is sampled every four years. Largemouth bass and Channel Catfish are stocked occasionally to supplement natural reproduction. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has installed several fish attractors to provide additional fish cover and structure in this bowl-shaped lake. An electrofishing survey was conducted on April 28th, 2021. New regulations were added in 2017.
Steep sided ponds are difficult to sample due to the lack of shallow water habitat where electrofishing is most effective. The Spring electrofishing sample showed good catch rate and size structure for Largemouth Bass. Bluegill were abundant and size structure was similar to previous surveys. Access is an issue at Muskrat Pond, so it is a destination for the more adventurous angler who is willing to do some walking to get to a secluded spot.
Gizzard Shad, Green Sunfish and Hybrid Sunfish have also been sampled from Muskrat Pond.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only.
Site 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 limit
Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum length limit; 3 fish daily limit
White and black crappie: No minimum length limit; 15 fish daily limit
Contact Information: Forest Preserve District of DuPage County 630-933-7200IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Andy Plauck815-675-2386 ext. 214
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