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DOUBLE T SFWA


Lake Information

County: Fulton

Acreage: 64

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.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2021

Muskellunge

Adult

66


Additional information for stocking on Double T Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

The bluegill size structure remained low according to the 2020 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.

CRAPPIE

Good

The black and white populations were sampled by the collection of 4 black crappie and 3 white crappie in 2020. The average relative weights for these fish were 81 and 83 respectively. In 2019, The black and white populations were sampled by the collection of 138 black crappie and 43 white crappie. The average relative weights for these fish were 86 and 90 respectively. 16 hybrid crappie were also sampled from 11.8 to 17.5 inches long. Quality white and hybrid crappie populations are present at a low density. A bacterial fish kill was reported in June of 2009 with a large number of crappie killed. And in late May of 2013, another crappie specific fish kill occurred. The established regulation is a minimum size limit of 10 inches and a creel limit of 25 fish per day.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

The Largemouth bass population was sampled by 76 stock size fish in 2020. The current bass regulation of a 21 inch minimum size limit and 1 fish per day was an effort to protect the initial population in the lake and to build this population up. In the 2020 sample, the PSD was 71, the RSD14 was 49, the RSD 16 was 24 and the RSD18 was 11. All of these values have been steady since 2010. These are all high values for a bass population. The catch rate was 1.8 in 2020 and has ranged from 1.1 to 4 fish per minute. The average Wr was good at 95 in 2020.

MUSKELLUNGE

Developing

In 2020, no muskie were collected and no spring trap netting occurred due to COVID work restrictions. In 2019, 17 muskie were collected by spring trapnets. These fish ranged in size from 25.5 to 48.2 inches long. The average body condition was average with a Wr value of 89. No muskie were stocked in 2004 or 2013, but 64 fish were stocked in each year from 2005 through 2016. 66 fish were stocked in 2017 and none in 2018, 2019 or 2020.

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/day*
Channel or blue catfish: fish/day
White, black or hybrid crappie: 10 inch minimum, 25 fish/day
Bluegill or redear sunfish: 25 fish/day
Muskie: 42 inch minimum, 1 fish/day

*daily limit includes all largemouth and smallmouth bass, either singly or in the aggregate.

Contact Information:
Double T SFWA
309-647-9184
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Rob Hilsabeck
309-446-9143