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GCSP - TURKEY POND


Lake Information

County: Union

Acreage: 1

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

BLUEGILL

Very Good

The survey yielded low Bluegill numbers, as only 9 were collected. However, growth potential appears to very good, as the largest Bluegill collected was 10 inches long and weighed nearly 1 lb. Shore anglers should expect to find big Bluegills in this lake, although they appear few in number.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Improving

Channel Catfish are stocked annually. However, no Channel Catfish were collected during the survey.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

Turkey Pond has a relatively good bass size structure for a small pond. Of the 21 bass collected, several were over 14 inches in length. The largest bass was 16.6 inches and weighed 2 lbs. The current population structure for bass is desirable given that high bass abundance helps drive Bluegill growth and leads to a quality size structure.

Location: Giant City State Park is located in Jackson and Union Counties south of Carbondale, IL. Turkey Pond is located on the southeast side of the park and can be reached after a short walk from the parking area.

Description: Turkey Pond is a 0.75-acre impoundment managed for quality Bluegill fishing. The perimeter of the pond is grown up with willows, although there are some clearings where shore anglers can fish. There are no docks or restrooms on site, although restrooms are available at the Giant City Visitors Center.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The most recent electrofishing survey of Turkey Pond occurred during spring of 2022. Turkey Pond contains a fish community that is typical for a small pond, which harbors an abundance of bass that drive fast Bluegill growth. To protect the fishery from overexploitation during the spawning season, a 15/day combined harvest limit for Bluegill/Redear went into effect April 1, 2023.

Channel Catfish are stocked annually in Turkey Pond to maintain a fishery for them.

Additional Lake Information: Site Regulations:
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Largemouth Bass: 15" minimum length limit
Bluegill/Redear: 15 fish daily limit

Contact Information:
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Nick Abell
618-967-0952