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MAYS LAKE
Lake Information
County: DUPAGE
Acreage: 8
Average Depth: 8.00 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? No
Boat Ramps? No
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? No
Camping? 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 |
Excellent | Bluegill catch rate was high at 169 fish per hour. This is higher than the management goal, but Bluegills were in good condition and not stunted. Forty-five percent of the Bluegills in the sample measured longer than six inches. Site Regulations: 25 fish daily harvest limit. | |
Excellent | In our 2020 electrofishing survey, catch rate was 188 fish per hour. This rate is higher than the management goal of 60 fish per hour that we see in a healthy bass population but not high enough to cause concern. the bass population showed signs of trending toward a stunted population. Anglers are encouraged to harvest smaller bass (less than 14 inches) on occasion to keep numbers from getting too high. Site Regulations: 14-18 protected slot limit, 4 fish limit; 3 fish under 14 inches; 1 over 18 inches. | |
Location: Mays Lake is located in the Mayslake Forest Preserve (Peabody Estate). The preserve is located in Oak Brook, south of 31st St. Mays Lake is accessible from a parking lot off St. Paschal’s Drive, 0.5 miles south of 31st Street.
Description: Mays Lake is a 9.5 acre dug pond with a maximum depth of 15 feet and an average depth of 8 feet. Mays Lake is one of 30 lakes and ponds owned and maintained for sport fishing by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (FPDDC). The District owns about 8 acres of Mays Lake. There is a 75 yard gravel trail from the parking lot that leads to fishing access. There is shoreline fishing access available on the north and east sides of the lake.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: These waters have been under management by the FPDDC Fishery Ecologist to provide quality sport fishing opportunities. In 1984, the FPDDC entered into a cooperative management agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to facilitate management activities. Largemouth bass and channel catfish are occasionally stocked to supplement the population. New sportfishing regulations for all DuPage County Forest Preserve lakes and ponds went into effect April 1st, 2017 – most notable being a 14-18 inch protected slot length for largemouth bass. Anglers will be allowed to harvest three bass under 14 inches and one trophy (over 18 inches), if desired. This regulation is designed to increase numbers of preferred size bass as well as increase the size of bluegill (more large bass to feed on small bluegill). A 25-minute electrofishing survey of Mays Lake took place on June 4th, 2020.
The Largemouth Bass and Bluegill have rebounded from a 2014 winterkill. The last survey in 2016 showed a more abundant bass population with a good proportion of large fish (over 15 inches). Bluegill abundance is down to a healthy level and plenty of fish over six inches were present. The 2020 survey mirrored the 2016 in many ways but numbers of bass over 15 inches are down.
Additional Lake Information: Site Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: 14-18 protected slot limit. 4 fish possession limit; 3 under 14 inches; 1 fish over 18 inches.
Channel Catfish: 6 fish per day, 12 inch minimum length limit.
Crappie: 15 fish per day, no minimum length limit
Bluegill and Redear Sunfish: 25 fish daily harvest limit.
Contact Information: Forest Preserve District of DuPage CountyDan Grigas 630-933-7668IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Andy Plauck815-675-2386 ext. 214
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