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LAKE STOREY
Lake Information
County: Knox
Acreage: 133
Average Depth: 0.00 feet
Shoreline Length: 5.8 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Electric only
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? Yes
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2023 |
Channel Catfish |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
3900 |
2023 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
138 |
2023 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
6706 |
2024 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
135 |
2024 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
8462 |
Additional information for stocking on Lake Storey
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Average | In 2023, the bluegill population was sampled by 109 fish in fall electrofishing survey. The current bluegill population is rated as average with the larger fish up to 7.0 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in below average body condition. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 will continue to decrease the growth and body condition of the bluegill population. | |
Good | The channel catfish population was sampled by 15 fish in fall electrofishing survey and 23 fish in the spring trap net survey. The current channel catfish population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 27 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition. Little Grassy hatchery stocked 3,900 fish at 8.0 inches in 2023. An annual stocking of non-vulnerable channel catfish has occurred in the recent past. These stockings have established a population with anticipated high angler harvest pressure. | |
Average | The white and black crappie populations have been an average rating in recent years. The black crappie population has become the dominant species. In 2023, the white crappie population was sampled by 23 stock-size fish in spring trap net survey. The black crappie population was sampled by 282 stock size fish in spring trap net survey. The white crappie indices have improved over the last 5 years, while the black crappie have remained low. Anglers can continue to apply harvest pressure upon the dense black crappie population that is from 7.5 to 9 inches in length. | |
Good | In 2023, the fish population was sampled by 20 trap net nights in the spring and 67 minutes of fall D.C. electrofishing. The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 267 stock size bass from electrofishing. The largemouth bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 4 to 19 inches in length with good average Relative weights. In 2017, the bass regulation for Lake Storey was changed from a 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and/or 5 fish less than 12 inches daily, to a protected slot length limit from 12 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit. The goal of the regulation is to increase the density of the bass population from 14 to 18 inches. In 2023, the Largemouth Bass population was shown to have dramatically improved since 2020 and is now rated very good! The goal of the protected slot length limit is to create a high-density bass population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the panfish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 15 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to still harvest fish under 12 inches. From 2017 to 2020 the bass regulation had not improved this population’s indices. From 2021 thru 2023, the bass population showed dramatic improvements for the population over 15 inches in length. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 and maybe providing the additional forage base for the largemouth bass population. | |
Average | In 2023, 12 muskie were collected in the spring trap netting. These fish ranged from 25.2 to 44.1 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good. A moderate density of quality-size muskie are present. 43 muskie have been recaptured with PIT tag data from Lake Storey since 2002. The 2014 recapture growth rate for a male over 10 years old was .21 inches and .26 lbs per year. And the growth rate for 2 females over 10 years old was 1.1 inches and 1.40 lbs per year. Jake Wolf stocked 136 muskie at 10.75 inches in 2016. Jake Wolf stocked 135 at 12.5 inches in 2017, 136 fish at 12.5 inches in 2018, 142 fish at 13.5 inches in 2019, no stocking in 2020, 138 fish at 13 inches in 2021, 147 fish at 12.5 inches in 2022, and 138 fish at 12.25 inches in 2023. An annual stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy muskie. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 maybe provide an additional forage base for the muskie population. | |
Average | The redear sunfish population was sampled by 11 fish in fall electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as average with the larger fish up to 9.0 inches in length. This population is of low density and in average body condition. | |
Good | The walleye population was sampled by 10 fish in the spring trap nets and 60 fish in the fall electrofishing survey in 2023. The current walleye population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 27 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition. Jake Wolf hatchery stocked 6696 fish at 1.5 inches long in 2016. No walleye were stocked in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In 2020, 6,819 walleye at 1.4 inches were stocked. In 2021, 8,970 walleye at 1.5 inches were stocked. In 2022, 8,517 walleye at 1.5 inches were stocked. And in 2023, 6,706 walleye at 1.9 inches were stocked from Jake Wolf Hatchery. The expanding Gizzard Shad population that was first documented in the fall of 2020 maybe provide an additional forage base for the walleye population. | |
Location: Lake Storey is located in Knox County at the northwest edge of Galesburg with access to the lake off of U.S. Route 150.
Description: Lake Storey is a medium-sized watershed type impoundment owned by the City of Galesburg and managed for fishing by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Lake Storey is 132.5 acres in size and has a maximum depth of 32 feet. It has a shoreline length of 5.8 miles and is 1.5 miles in length from east to west. A boat ramp and parking lot is provided on each end of the lake. Other facilities provided at Lake Storey Park include: camping, swimming, golf, picnic areas and a 2.65 mile paved trail.
Lake Storey was constructed in 1928-29 by the Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe Railroad as their water supply reservoir. In 1952, the lake and surrounding land was gifted to the City of Galesburg for the development of Lake Storey Park.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The waterlevel at Lake Storey is drawn down annually 5 to 6 feet in early September as a major fish management practice. The annual fall drawdown increases the predation of small fish, which enhances the growth rates of both predator and prey species.
Additional species found in low density include carp, golden shiners, green sunfish and yellow bullhead.
Additional Lake Information: All Fish - 2 pole and line fishing only.
Recreational Use Restrictions:
- All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig.
- No gas motors to propel watercraft; electric motors only.
- Swimming is permitted only in designated area when lifeguard is on duty.
Site Regulations:
Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected slot length limit from 12 to 18 inches; 3 fish daily limit
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish fish daily limit
Pure Muskellunge: 42 inch minimum length limit with 1 fish daily limit
Channel Catfish or Blue Catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 3 fish daily limit
Contact Information: Galesburg Park District: 309-345-3630 IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Rob Hilsabeck309-370-5296
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