Fishing at Wildlife Prairie Park

• Fishing is open during Park hours. We open at 9 am every day. During the winter months we close at 4:30 p.m. and during warmer months we close at 6 p.m.

• 2 pole and line fishing only

• No alcohol

• No swimming or wading

• No open fires

• Please put trash in trash bins

• Trolling motors only

Daily catch limits vary by lake and are as follows:

• Largemouth Bass and/or Smallmouth Bass - 3

• Channel Catfish - 6

• Bluegill and/or Redear Sunfish - 25

• Crappie - 25

• Tiger and/or Muskie - 1

Beaver Lake is an 8-acre watershed lake which is primarily spring fed, with timber runoff. It has limited accessibility and no parking facilities. Much of the lake is relatively shallow, 2-3 feet, with deepest water at approximately 12 feet. Water is stained with about 16” of clarity.

It was electro-surveyed in 2020, which revealed a sizable number of trophy Largemouth Bass. However, also at that time, it had very heavy aquatic weed infestation of Duckweed, Eurasian Milfoil, and Coontail. As a result, Beaver Lake was deemed virtually “un-shable” and weed remediation was put “on hold” until the Park could afford to address this issue.

In 2021, Beaver Lake was stocked with Grass Carp to begin addressing the aquatic weed infestation, as well as forage fish for what was believed to be a significant Largemouth Bass population.

In Spring 2024, Beaver Lake was treated, and since then, there has been a remarkable improvement in the aquatic weed infestation level. Beaver Lake is scheduled for electrosurvey in 2024. Plans exist for the IDNR to assist with access to Beaver Lake parking, and possible expansion.

Beaver Lake has the potential to be an outstanding trophy bass lake. To promote this potential, Herman Bros. has recommended the following posted Daily Bag Limit:

Deep Lake was created in 1987 by damming up the end of a large timber ravine, through which ran a small creek that serviced a large watershed. As a result, this lake features a great deal of flooded timber. It is a 14-acre lake with a maximum depth of 30 feet by the dam and approximately 10 feet through the remainder. Water clarity is low, due to heavy planktonic algae blooms, which yield a very high water quality, feeding panfish throughout the year. Significant Coontail vegetation can also be found in Deep Lake.

Past fish stockings have included Muskie and Channel Catfish, as well as Bluegill and Largemouth Bass.

Deep Lake was electro-surveyed in 2020, stocked in 2021 and electro-surveyed again in 2023, prompted by VIA reports of poor fishing. A significant population of “stunted” Largemouth Bass was discovered in the 2023 survey, likely due to otter predation, overfishing, or both. The Herman Bros. recommended converting this lake largely to Black Crappie. To facilitate this transition, they advised the “creative removal” of all Largemouth Bass under 14”, immediately. In Spring 2024, stocking efforts for this initiative, along with supportive forage species, began and will continue annually for the next three years until established. Once established, future stocking plans include Walleye and Muskie.

As a result, the current fish species in the lake are diverse, but will eventually be predominantly Black Crappie. The removal of all Largemouth Bass under 14” is requested.

Daily bag limits are posted:

North Lake is primarily a watershed lake of approximately 4.5 acres and until recent years featured heavy vegetation, mainly Coontail, resulting in high water clarity and a large Bluegill population. There was no fishery management, and North Lake’s primary use was visual, as it features a popular overlook pavilion, often used for wedding ceremonies and by visitors of all kinds.

However, in 2021, a boat ramp was installed, and North Lake was electro-surveyed in 2022. The results of that survey yielded a limited Largemouth Bass population, supported by the very large Bluegill population resulting from the heavy aquatic weed infestation.

In 2024, North Lake became the headwaters for the Park’s Cascade Project. As a result of this project, North Lake’s water level has risen to almost 36”. Also in 2024, aquatic weeds in North Lake were successfully treated, and the existing fish population was enhanced by stocking additional Largemouth Bass. Two fish feeders have been installed, and fishing within 50 feet of the fish feeders is prohibited.

With a now maximum depth of 12 feet, North Lake is healthier than it ever has been, and will be an excellent resource for many years to come.

Daily Bag Limits are posted:

Built in the early 1950s, this 12 acre strip-mine lake is located on the West side of Taylor Rd. and includes a primitive boat ramp, dock, and some bank accessibility. With a maximum depth of 20 feet, Taylor Lake has excellent water quality featuring 6-8 feet of water clarity. There is minimal vegetation including some Eurasian Milfoil and Curly Leaf Pondweed, as well as two beaver dams.

Taylor Lake was electro-surveyed in 2020, re-stocked in 2021, and is scheduled for electrosurvey again in 2024.

Fish species present include Muskie, Catfish, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish and Bluegill

Daily bag limits are posted:

Built in the early 1950s, this 11-acre strip mine lake is located on the east side of Taylor Rd and is overlooked by Hazel’s Hill on its south arm. It features two boat ramps and the Park’s best bank fishing opportunity. The maximum depth in East Horseshoe is 10 feet with very high water clarity. Vegetation is minimal, mostly Eurasian Milfoil.

East Horseshoe was electro-surveyed in 2020, re-stocked in 2021, and is scheduled for electro-survey again in 2024. Plans exist to raise the water level on East Horseshoe by approximately 6 ft, depending on the outcome of a dam survey in late 2024.

A fish feeder has been installed, and fishing within 50 feet of the fish feeder is prohibited.

Daily bag limits are posted:

Catch & Release all species for 2025

West Horseshoe Lake is currently largely inaccessible, due to steep banks and no boat ramp. It has not been electro-surveyed, but those who have managed to fish it report excellent water clarity and fishing.

Plans exist to expand part of West Horseshoe and build a boat ramp, aer which an electro-survey and stocking plan will be implemented.

As a favorite lodging area for grandparents and their grandchildren, Caboose Lake had become underwhelming for guests. Lodging around Caboose Lake includes four railroad train cabooses, three grain silos, and the “stables”, all converted to excellent and unique lodging. This type of lodging was attractive to grandparents and grandchildren alike but lacked that one component for great inter-generation bonding - fishing.

As a watershed lake serving a large area, Caboose Lake had partially filled in over the past sixty years. Combined with increased fertilizer runoff and recent shifts in weather patterns, the lake had become shallow and overgrown with aquatic weeds, rendering it unable to effectively support a fish population.

There was little or no fishing until the Park implemented the Cascade Project, which raised the water level of Caboose Lake by 8 feet. This, along with the removal of 60 years worth of muck that had accumulated on the lakebed in 2023, aquatic weed treatment in 2024, and the subsequent stocking of Catfish and Panfish that same year, has transformed Caboose Lake into an outstanding destination for family fishing, both today and for many years to come.

A fish feeder has been installed, and fishing within 50 feet of the fish feeder is prohibited.

For 2025, Caboose Lake is posted as Catch & Release for all species.

Until 2024, fishing in Turtle Pond was prohibited. It had no access and was strictly scenic. However, thanks to the generous donation of labor by Carpenter’s Union Local #237, Turtle Pond now has an Americans with Disabilities certified dock. It has recently been stocked with large Channel Catfish, as well as the “stunted” Largemouth Bass “creatively” removed from Deep Lake, and the needed forage species to support them.

In addition, thanks to the Cascade Project, Turtle Pond’s water level has increased by 24”, and now provides fishing for ADA folks and fish feeding opportunities for all guests, with fish feed purchased at the Gift Shop inside the Visitor’s Center.

For 2025, Turtle Pond is posted as Catch and Release only until the fish population becomes well established.