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TURNER LAKE - COLSP
Lake Information
County: Lake
Acreage: 45
Average Depth: 5.00 feet
Shoreline Length: 1.1 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Electric only
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? Yes
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2023 |
Channel Catfish |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
850 |
2023 |
Largemouth Bass |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1164 |
2023 |
Northern Pike |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
136 |
2024 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
450 |
2024 |
Largemouth Bass |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1507 |
2024 |
Northern Pike |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
136 |
Additional information for stocking on Turner Lake - COLSP
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Developing | Three black crappie were collected in our surve, with the largest being 9.3” long and weighing 0.5 lbs. IDNR preference is that anglers keep every crappie they catch and remove them from the lake until the bass population becomes established. Crappie can become very abundant, very fast, so until a strong predator base is established it’s best they aren’t allowed to establish! | |
Improving | Some breeder size fish are present, but their abundance is low. Bluegill reproduce well and their abundance is expanding nicely. | |
Developing | Present via stocking, but the population is still developing. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit. | |
Developing | 14 bass were collected in 30 minutes of DC electrofishing. Fish measured up to 19.2” long and weighed up to 4.4 lbs. Most bass collected were less than 12” long and from supplemental stockings, but a few were breeder-size fish added to the lake following the winterkill to promote reproduction. Site Regulation: 15” length limit, 1 fish daily limit. | |
Good | Northern pike survived the winterkill. Fish have been stocked since and were collected up to 27” long. Northern pike are a good predator to help balance the predator/prey ratios in a lake. Site Regulation: 24” length limit, 3 fish daily limit. | |
Location: Turner Lake is located in Chain O Lakes State Park in Spring Grove, Illinois in Lake County.
Description: Turner Lake is a relatively shallow natural/glacial depression characterized as a bog lake. In 1974, a stop small dam and fish weir were installed to expand and stabilize water levels in the marsh adjacent to the lake to facilitate northern pike reproduction and prevent rough fish contamination via the Fox River/Chain O' Lakes system. An aeration system was installed in 1979 and is run each winter to keep an area open so noxious gases don’t build up under the ice causing a fish kill. The aeration line was replaced in 2011. Turner Lake is 45 acres; maintains a maximum depth of 10.0 ft. with an average depth of 5.0 ft.; storage capacity is 228 acre-feet. There is a single, gravel boat ramp on the northeast end of the lake for primitive access and 2 fishing piers. Shorefishing opportunities are limited due to the nature of the shoreline. Rental boats are available through a concessionaire at the main boat launch (electric motors only); live bait, tackle, ice, food, and soft drinks also available at the main boat launch. No fish cleaning station is available. Other amenities in the park include: camping, picnic areas, playgrounds, crushed rock bike paths, and horseback riding and trails.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Turner Lake receives regular fish surveys to evaluate stocked species, access points and fishing piers are occasionally treated with aquatic herbicides to reduce abundance of Eurasian milfoil (an Aquatic Nuisance Species). Turner Lake receives annual stockings of 8” to 10” channel catfish, 8” northern pike, and periodic stockings of 4” largemouth bass. Turner Lake experienced a winter fishkill in 2013 (the blizzard year).
Other species collected were lake chubsucker, grass pickerel, brown bullhead, golden shiner, pupkinseed sunfish, yellow bullhead, green sunfish, warmouth and Iowa Darter (an endangered and threatened species).
Additional Lake Information: 2 pole and line only fishing. Electric motors only; there is a non-developed gravel launch.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth bass: 15” length limit, 1 fish daily limit
Channel catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Northern pike: 24” length limit, 3 fish daily limit
Contact Information: Chain O Lakes State Park 847-587-5512IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Andy Plauck815-675-2386 ext. 214
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