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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.


Lake Status Summary  ( Full PDF Report )

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Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

The bluegill size structure remained low according to the 2022 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

In 2022, the black and white populations were sampled by the collection of 31 black crappie and 10 white crappies. The average relative weights for these fish were 100 and 93 respectively. The black crappie indices showed 30% of the fish over 11 inches, and the white crappie indices showed 83% of the fish over 11 inches. A low-density crappie population is currently present with large fish available to anglers. The established regulation is a minimum size limit of 10 inches and a creel limit of 25 fish per day.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

The Largemouth bass population was sampled by 36 stock size fish in 2022. 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 2022 sample, the PSD was 86, the RSD14 was 50, the RSD 16 was 22 and the RSD18 was 3. The RSD16 and RSD18 values were well below the yearly average since 2013. This may have been a sampling challenge for the 2022 survey. The largemouth bass indices since 2013 have been very high for a bass population. The catch rate was .9 in 2022 and has ranged from .6 to 1.8 fish per minute over the last 10 years. The average Wr was good at 92 in 2022.

MUSKELLUNGE

Good

In 2022, 4 muskie were collected in the spring trap survey. These fish ranged in size from 36 to 43.4 inches long. The average body condition was good with a Wr value of 99. 66 fish were stocked in 2017 and 2021. The muskie stocking for Double T Lake was adapted to a stocking once every 3rd year starting in 2017. The goal is to maintain a low density of muskie that can grow fast and maintain good body condition.

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
309-370-5296