Bluff Lake

Bluff Lake

Size
101ac
Boat Launch
No
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Bluff Lake
Walleye
Walleye
White bass
White bass
Perch
Perch
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Channel catfish
Channel catfish

Overview

Large shallow lakes with excellent channels. Bass, catfish and panfish tops. Shoreline docks, piers, and weeds provide the most cover.

Bluff Lake Map

Features

The Fox Chain O’ Lakes consists of nine major lake basins connected by a series of navigable channels. The chain is considered the largest inland water recreational area in northeastern Illinois. Recreational boat traffic is extremely heavy on weekends. Weekday fishing is suggested, if possible. In recent years the Chain has developed into a major fishery with outstanding walleye, channel catfish and muskie resources. The south part of the Fox Chain O’ Lakes does not have any public boat accesses, all of the accesses are private and charge fees. There are many full service marinas on the lake as well as restaurants.

Forage

Walleye and northern pike feed heavily on perch, juvenile panfish, and gizzard shad. Freshwater drum are important prey for muskie and northern pike. Gizzard shad, emerald shiner, bluntnose minnow, golden shiner, carp, sucker, small carp and juvenile panfish, including bluegill, are significant to the forage base. Rusty crayfish are present in the Chain.

Seasonal Movements

The largest concentrations of spawning walleye occur in Lake Marie and Bluff Lake. After spawning, a downstream movement into Grass Lake and the Fox River have been reported. Northern pike make seasonal spawning movements into tributary creeks or into shallow weedy areas for spawning, often just after ice-out.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
13-27 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2017
Sep
2021
Sep
2023
Sep
Channel catfish
fish
10-16 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Sep
Crappie
fish
13-27 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
Largemouth bass
fish
13-27 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2017
Sep
2021
Sep
2023
Sep
Muskellunge
fish
13-27 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2019
Mar
2023
Sep
Northern pike
fish
10-16 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2019
Mar
2021
Sep
Perch
fish
13-27 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Sep
2023
Sep
Smallmouth bass
fish
13-27 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2017
Sep
2021
Sep
2023
Sep
Walleye
fish
13-27 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2017
Sep
2021
Sep
2023
Sep
White bass
fish
10-16 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Sep