Heidecke Lake
State Park and Muskie Status Report Info
The following is an excerpt from the IL State Parks website:
Located southeast of Morris, Heidecke Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is managed by the Department of Natural Resources for fishing and hunting. DNR has leased Heidecke Lake since 1978, when it was built as a cooling lake for the Collins power plant, which is now owned and operated by Midwest Generation. The lake provides more than 1,300 acres of prime fishing opportunities.
Fishing
Because of a comprehensive fish-stocking program, Heidecke Lake has a good fish
population producing trophy-size bass. Only pole-and-line fishing is permitted,
with each angler limited to using two poles. There are no fishing fees, but each
angler must have a valid Illinois fishing license unless exempted by law. To
avoid the possibility of overharvest and assure a good fishery, DNR's Fisheries
Division has established minimum length and daily catch limits at the lake.
Strict adherence to size and catch limits will result in Heidecke Lake providing
a quality fishing experience now and in the future.
Fish are measured while positioned flat on a ruler from the tip of the mouth
when closed to the tip of the tail when compressed. All sub-legal-size fish must
be released immediately after being caught to maximize their chance for
survival. Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged for
anglers who catch legal-size fish but don't want to keep them. Anglers should
handle fish with care and release them immediately after catching so the fish
can survive to later provide other anglers similar recreation.
The fishing season at Heidecke Lake opens on or about April 1 each year
and closes prior to the waterfowl season. Call the park at (815) 942-6352 for
exact dates.
The following is an excerpt from the IL DNR's
"STATUS OF MUSKIE FISHERY IN ILLINOIS 2004"
HEIDECKE LAKE - As part of a research project, 1,955 acre Heidecke Lake which is located in Grundy County near Morris received an initial stocking of pure muskellunge in 1980. Annual additions of these fish (which were extensively-reared, purchased fish) commenced in October of that year. Field data from these early stockings indicated slightly accelerated growth rates and fair recruitment. Tiger muskie were initially stocked in 1981 and were released on an almost annual basis through 1997. Tiger muskie released from 1993 through 1997 were "minnow-finished", larger in size and released later in the year. Pure muskellunge stockings ceased in 1986 with the completion of a research project. In 1999 when surplus fish produced by the state hatchery system became available, pure muskellunge were once again released into Heidecke and continue to be released on a biennial schedule. Spring trap netting conducted in 2003 yielded 24 pure muskellunge which ranged in length from 15.2 inches to nearly 38 inches and averaged 31 inches. While several year classes were represented, the majority of these muskies were cohorts of the 1999 stocking which saw the release of more than 4,600 fingerlings ranging from 11 to 13 inches. The incidence of anglers catching muskie has been increasing steadily as the population grows in both number and size. With the continued recruitment of young fish, it should not be long before this lake once again produces fish in the 30-pound class.A perched cooling lake, Heidecke came become very rough under windy conditions. Water temperature is influenced by the operation of Collins Generating Station, a fossil-fuel, peaking plant. There is no horsepower limit and a boat and motor rental are available at the lake concession. Heidecke Lake is open to fishing from April 1st to mid-October, closing ten days prior to the opening of the Central Zone waterfowl season.
Coming Soon !!!