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POSS LAKE
Lake Information
County: DUPAGE
Acreage: 9
Average Depth: 4.99 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Ramps? No
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 |
Poor | The Bluegill catch rate of was 52 fish per hour, which is extremely low for Bluegill in area lakes and ponds. We like to see a catch rate around 120 fish per hour in a healthy Bluegill population. In 2012, the catch rate was 290 fish per hour. No Bluegill over six inches were caught in either sample. | |
Good | Common Carp are abundant in Poss Lake. Twenty-four Carp were caught during the 45-minute sample. Carp ranged in length from 6.1 to 20.7 inches. Common carp dislodge vegetation and cloud the water with their feeding behavior of “rooting” through the substrate. Unlimited harvest is encouraged for this detrimental species. Removal efforts will take place in the future. | |
Good | Nine Channel Catfish were collected in the sample. They ranged in length from 14.6 to 24.0 inches long. Channel Catfish were stocked in 2012 and will be stocked again when the Bass and Bluegill populations have had time to stabilize. | |
Poor | Twenty-seven Largemouth Bass were captured at a rate of 36 fish per hour (45 minutes of electrofishing). This is a small sample size to make population-level speculations from, however 25% of the bass were over 15 inches. The largest Bass in the 2021 sample weighed three pounds. When Poss Lake was sampled in 2012, Bass were caught at a rate of 121 fish per hour. The size structure of the Largemouth Bass in 2012 also looked good, with 55% of the sample measuring longer than 15 inches and the largest weighing close to five pounds. Poss Lake’s connection to an un-named creek has allowed multiple forage species (Black Crappie, Bluntnose Minnow, Gizzard Shad, and White Sucker) entry into the lake to help diversify the diet of the Largemouth Bass. Relative weight (a measure of the fish’s “plumpness”) is not an issue in Poss Lake. | |
Fair | Fourteen Yellow Bass were collected. They ranged in length from 3.9 to 6.8 inches. This population will be monitored closely as this species can reach nuisance levels very quickly without a proper predator population. | |
Location: Poss Lake is located in the Big Woods Forest Preserve off Bilter Road near the Batavia Spur of the Illinois Prairie Path in Warrenville. No parking. (GPS 41.802621, -88.254014)
Description: Poss Lake is a 9-acre dug flood control pond in the Big Woods Forest Preserve. It receives road runoff from I-88 and nearby shopping malls. Poss Lake has a kidney-been shape a maximum depth of 9 ft., an average depth of 4.0 ft. The lake is located about 150 yards off the Illinois Prairie Path bike trail. A few areas are cleared for shore access. No amenities are available at this location. No watercraft are allowed.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: In 1984, the FPDDC entered into a cooperative management agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to facilitate management activities on their lakes and ponds. These waters have been under management by the FPDDC Fishery Ecologist and IDNR to provide quality sport fishing opportunities. Poss Lake had not been sampled since 2012 due to poor access. The FPDDC recently improved access to allow for a survey boat to sample the lake. The fish community in this pond will be sampled every four years. Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass will be stocked when needed. An effort will be made to remove over-abundant Common Carp in the future. An electrofishing survey was conducted on April 29th of 2021 when the water had warmed to 62°F.
When sampled in 2012, Poss Lake had a nice Largemouth Bass population and an over-abundance of small Bluegill. It seems that there was an unreported fish kill as the Bass and Bluegill populations were not nearly as robust when sampled in 2021. Supplemental stocking will be in the future for Poss Lake.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: 14–18-inch protected slot limit; 4 fish daily creel limit with 3 fish that can be harvested under 14 inches and 1 fish 18 inches and larger
Bluegill: No minimum length limit; 25 fish daily limit
Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum length limit; 3 fish daily limit
White and black crappie: No minimum length limit; 15 fish daily limit
Contact Information: Forest Preserve District of DuPage County 630-933-7200IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Andy Plauck815-675-2386 ext. 214