Fishing
We encourage homeowners to fish. We must keep the lakes fished to prevent stunted fish. At one time, we had 6 – 8 pound bass. The Illinois Department of Conservation recommends that lakes remove 400-600 bluegill per acre. We have 15 acres!
Please remove and discard (bury in your yard or put into your compost pile) all of the small fish that you catch. Please do not return them (dead or alive) into our lakes (this affects our water quality). Also, please return all of the larger, breeder fish to the lakes.
Ice fishing from the lakes is permitted at the risk of the individual involved in such activity, and subject to the guidelines established by the Board of Directors.
Please direct all comments to our Lake Chair using the Contact Us link. Please refer to our Outside Links page for a link to the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources for their Fishing Digest, other information, and also identifying photos of fish found in Illinois.
Variety of Fish
Typical fish found in our lakes include: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and unconfirmed reports of “Big Elmer”.
In early May, 2009, both lakes were “shocked” in an effort to provide us with an inventory of our existing fish and to look at the quality of our inventory. This information is needed so we may assess the condition of our lakes.
Water Quality and Treatment
We do treat our lakes with chemicals and natural and biological products to improve water quality and to reduce undesirable water vegetation and algae. We do want our lakes to have at least 20% vegetation for use by our fish (fishery). Why does our water appear blue? Aqua Shade when applied, gives it a blue-ish color. This chemical helps to keep the sun rays reaching the bottom of the lake where it triggers weed growth.
Creatures found in/near our lakes often include: ducks, geese (many of us consider these as undesirable so please DO NOT feed), an occasional swan, muskrat, mink, fox, frogs, bullfrogs and tadpoles, to name a few. The mink has helped with geese control. Please report any other animals of interest to our Lake Chair, through our link.
Relevant (Lake) Bylaws
Our By-Laws detail our Lake Regulations under Article VII (please refer to your By-Laws for additional information).
Section 1: General: Our two lakes serve as private lakes for the use of the members (home owners) of the Association and their guests. The Board requests that a “member” be present with their member guests, as they fish.
Section 2: Lake Activities:
A. Those NOT permitted (are prohibited) include: swimming, floating, tuba, scuba diving, wading or other activities involving primary contact with the lake water.
B. Those which are permitted: row boats, paddle boats and sailboats (not to exceed 15 feet in length) and canoes (not to exceed 18 feet in length) are permitted. Fishing from the lakes is permitted at the risk of the individual involved in such activity and subject to the guidelines established by the Board of Directors.
C. Fishing from the lakes will be permitted only with the use of a conventional hook and reel. Each member or guest of a member fishing in the lakes shall comply with all requirements of the State of Illinois.
D. Ice skating on the lakes is permitted at the risk of the individual involved in such activity and subject to the guidelines established by the Board of Directors.
E. The use of snowmobiles on or around the lakes is prohibited.