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MILLIKEN, LAKE
Lake Information
County: Will
Acreage: 25
Average Depth: 0.00 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? NO BOATS allowed
Boat Ramps? No
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? No
Trout stocked in spring
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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2024 |
Channel Catfish |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
633 |
2024 |
Largemouth Bass |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
473 |
2024 |
Largemouth Bass |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
2754 |
2024 |
Rainbow Trout |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
1158 |
Additional information for stocking on Milliken, Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Average | The Fall 2023 Crappie trap netting survey resulted in a total of 131 Black Crappie collected ranging from 3.1 in to 10.5 in, with 127 of those fish > 5.0 in. Average length was 7.4 in. Black Crappie catch rates were pretty good (13.1/net-night) but nowhere near as high as pre-Winterkill levels. The proportion of adult fish over 8 inches was 52% (which is good), though the proportion of fish over 10 inches was quite low (1%). Length-frequency distribution suggests that natural reproduction and recruitment are taking place. | |
Improving | The Spring 2023 electrofishing survey resulted in a total of 137 Bluegill collected ranging from 1.6 in to 6.2 in, with 124 of those fish > 3.0 in. Average length was 4.6 in. Catch rates drastically improved from the 2021 survey to 4.6 fish/minute. The proportion of adult fish over 6 inches rose from 2% to 7%, but fish over 8 inches are still absent. The number of fish over 3 inches rose since 202 and many smaller fish indicate natural reproduction and recruitment are taking place. | |
Good | Due to an extended period of high water, Common Carp gained access to the lake from the nearby creek. Efforts have been initiated to remove/reduce the Common Carp population due to their negative impacts to the aquatic vegetation and sportfish population (through increased siltation). Targeted electrofishing has been conducted since 2015 to remove these fish from the lake, and over 60 fish were removed in 2023 (52 in the Spring and 14 in the Fall). Removal efforts will be an ongoing management activity. | |
Average | Channel Catfish are requested from the State Hatchery System on an annual basis. These fish are typically 8 – 10 inches and immediately provide anglers the opportunity to bring home their catch. A baited-hoop netting survey needs to be conducted to formally evaluate this fishery. Fishing Regulation: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit | |
Developing | The Spring 2023 electrofishing survey resulted in a total of 21 Largemouth Bass collected ranging from 4.1 in to 22.7 in, with 18 of those fish > 8.0 in. Average length was 12.1 in. The catch rate of Largemouth Bass remained largely unchanged from the 2021 survey (0.70 fish/minute). The proportion of adults over 15 inches (PSD-P) decreased from the previous survey and the actual number of fish over 15 inches remained low (n = 6). While the overall number of fish over 8 inches remained about the same, two fish over 18 inches were collected. Length-frequency distribution suggests that natural reproduction is taking place but there could be issues with fish recruitment. Vegetation enhancement efforts are currently underway to help this fishery develop. Fishing Regulation: 15-inch Minimum Length Limit (6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit) | |
Average | The Fall 2023 Crappie trap netting survey resulted in a total a total of 133 White Crappie collected ranging from 4.1 in to 11 in, with 129 of those fish > 5.0 in. Average length was 7.5 in. White Crappie catch rates were pretty good (13.3/net-night) and much higher than pre-Winterkill levels. The proportion of adult fish over 8 inches was 26% (which is low), and the proportion of adult fish over 10 inches was also quite low (5%). Length-frequency distribution suggests that natural reproduction and recruitment are taking place. | |
Location: Lake Milliken is located in Will County within the confines of the Des Plaines Conservation Area, 3 miles west of Wilmington off River Road and just minutes from Interstate 55.
Description: Lake Milliken was constructed in 1961, a borrow pit resulting from the construction of Interstate 55. A fairly shallow, fertile lake, Milliken has a maximum depth of 8 feet and an average depth of 4 feet. Intensified management of aquatic vegetation is required to provide fishermen with easier angling opportunity on the main basin. The South end, which is relatively shallow, generally supports very lush aquatic plant growth. There is no boat access and watercraft is not permitted.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Due to the severity of the winter of 2013-14, Lake Milliken experienced a near-complete fish kill. Currently the lake is in a “recovery mode” which has involved an aggressive restocking and vegetation enhancement program. The sport fishery is evaluated through routine, periodic fish population surveys utilizing a DC-electrofishing boat (Spring) and trap nets (Fall). Other routine management activities include stocking catchable Rainbow Trout for the Spring trout season and removing nuisance Common Carp from the lake.
No special mercury advisory or other contaminant-related consumption advisories pertain. However, the statewide methylmercury advisory for sensitive populations is in effect (one meal per week of predatory sportfish for the most sensitive populations).
Additional Lake Information: Statewide Fishing Regulation Apply
Additional Site-Specific Fishing Regulations
All Fish Species: 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only
Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Large or Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch Minimum Length Limit (6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit)
Rainbow Trout: Spring Closed Season
Contact Information: Des Plaines Conservation Area24621 North River Road815-423-5326IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Seth Love630-360-4772
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