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WILLOW LAKE (FVPD)


Lake Information

County: Kane

Acreage: 3

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? No

Boat Ramps? No

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? No

Camping? No




Maps are not intended for navigation.


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Lake Status Summary  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Very Good

While not as abundant as they were in the previous survey, Bluegill were captured at a rate of 188 fish per hour. Bluegill ranged in length from 2.1 to 7.3 inches, with an average size of 5.3 inches. Nineteen percent of the catch was longer than six inches.

CARP

Poor

Common carp were not captured in the most recent survey, but they are present in Willow Lake. Carp tend to stir up sediments through their feeding behavior. This tends to increase turbidity which can lead to many other problems in small lakes. Carp should be removed from the lake whenever possible.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Developing

No Channel Catfish were captured in this survey. This pond is scheduled to receive Channel Catfish every other year from the IDNR’s catfish stocking program. Channel catfish are difficult to sample with our electrofishing gear as they are typically using deeper habitat than we sample. Since catfish stocking began in 2012, there should be plenty of large Channel in Willow Lake.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Excellent

Largemouth bass were very abundant and caught at a rate of 224 fish per hour. The average bass was 10.3 inches long. Multiple sizes indicate successful reproduction in this lake and plenty of small fish were observed. Abundant forage species (bluegill, gizzard shad and golden shiner) keep the bass in this lake fat and healthy.

Location: Willow Lake is located on the west side of North Aurora. From Randall Road, head east on Dogwood Drive, then turn south (right) on North Juniper Drive. Park on the street at Willow Lake Park.

Description: Willow Lake is a 3 acre dug retention pond. The lake is owned and maintained by the Fox Valley Park District (FVPD) as a community park in a residential setting. Flow through from adjacent storm sewers help keep this lake from serious winter kill. The shoreline is mowed in several areas to allow access for shore fishing and a path encircles the lake. A playground is located at the adjacent park.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The FVPD has entered into a cooperative management agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to facilitate fisheries management activities. A 15-minute electrofishing survey took place on September 16th, 2020. An IDNR channel catfish stocking program (600 four-inch catfish every other year) should offer great fishing for this species in the future.

Abundant largemouth bass and bluegill should offer anglers plenty of action in this residential park. Easy access at Willow Lake Park makes the Lake a family friendly fishing location with the chance at catching some nice fish!

Additional Lake Information: Site-specific regulations apply:
Six fish daily creel on channel catfish
Three fish, 15 inch minimum limit on largemouth bass

Contact Information:
Fox Valley Park District
630-897-0516
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Andy Plauck
815-675-2386 ext. 214