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DOUBLE T SFWA
October 1 is the fall boat fishing closure date.
Lake Information
County: Fulton
Acreage: 64
Average Depth: 0.00 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Yes, no wake zone
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
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 | The bluegill size structure remained low according to the 2023 electrofishing survey results. The five-year trend appears to be a bluegill population with a top size under 7.0 inches in length. The competition from the current gizzard shad and carp population may limit the ability of the bluegill population to improve to a good status. | |
Good | In 2023, the black and white populations were sampled by the collection of 225 black crappie and 37 white crappie in the spring trapnet survey. The black crappie indices showed 50% of the fish over 11 inches, and the white crappie indices showed 54% of the fish over 11 inches. A low-density crappie population is currently present with large fish available to anglers. The established regulation is a minimum size limit of 10 inches and a creel limit of 25 fish per day. | |
Very Good | The Largemouth bass population was sampled by 54 stock size fish in 2023. The current bass regulation of a 21-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish per day is an effort to protect the initial population in the lake and to build this population up. The largemouth bass indices since 2013 have been very high for a bass population. The catch rate was 1.2 in 2023 and has ranged from .6 to 1.8 fish per minute over the last 10 years. | |
Good | In 2023, only 1 muskie was collected in the spring trap survey. This fish was 25.2 inches long. The average body condition was good. 66 fish were stocked in 2017 and 2021. The muskie stocking for Double T Lake was adapted to a stocking once every 3rd year starting in 2017. The goal is to maintain a low density of muskie that can grow fast and maintain good body condition. | |
Location: The Double T State Fish and Wildlife Area is located 3 miles north west of Canton in Fulton County.
Description: Double T Lake is a 64 surface acre lake that was formed in 1983 by coal mining. This site was obtained by the State of Illinois in September 2001. The maiximum depth of the lake is approximately 65 feet. The lake is a long and linear final cut stripmine that form the shape of a double T. The basin topography is very steep shorelines with a fringe of submerged aquatic plants. Woody structure is limited to several beaver houses and the eastern end has the input of Put Creek. Water clarity has varied from 2 feet to over 7 feet.
The concrete boat ramp is accessible from Cypress Road.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The sport fishery of Double T Lake is highlighted by a quality largemouth bass and black crappie populations with a developing muskie population. Pure muskie have been stocked since 2002 at a rate of up to 3 fish per acre at 10 to 14 inches long. In addition, Double T Lake has a strong population of carp and gizzard shad with small numbers of green sunfish and yellow bullheads present.
Additional Lake Information: 2 pole and line fishing only.
Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area. All use other than waterfowl hunting is prohibited from October 1 through the end of the central zone Canada Goose Season.
Site regulations:
Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass: 21 inch minimum; 1 fish daily limit*
Channel or Blue Catfish: fish/day
White, Black or Hybrid Crappie: 10 inch minimum, 25 fish daily limit
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish daily limit
Muskie: 42 inch minimum, 1 fish daily limit
*daily limit includes all largemouth and smallmouth bass, either singly or in the aggregate.
Contact Information: Double T SFWA 309-647-9184IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Rob Hilsabeck309-370-5296
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