Annual assessments of sport and prey fish populations are necessary for effective management, protection and enhancement of fisheries

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) received a Formula Grant award of $393,333 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI) under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The award funds annual assessment surveys of sport and prey fish populations across the Illinois portion of Lake Michigan (976,640 acres). The project delivers ongoing population monitoring and condition assessments for lake trout, yellow perch, stocked salmon and trout, various prey fish stocks, and non-salmonine nearshore fish communities including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and sunfishes.

The data collected through these assessments directly supports fisheries management decision-making by providing timely information on fish stock status, abundance trends, and condition indicators. IDNR will utilize survey findings to inform critical management actions including stocking level adjustments, sport harvest regulation modifications, and predator-prey relationship management. The information will be shared with agency partners to support trend monitoring and analysis, ultimately benefiting anglers through evidence-based fisheries management aligned with Illinois' Strategic Plan for the Conservation of Fisheries Resources.

In this project, we propose a series of annual assessment surveys targeting important sport and prey fish populations in the illinois portion of lake michigan (976,640 acres). Specifically, we will assess the relative abundance and condition of lake trout, yellow perch, stocked salmon and trout, various prey fish stocks, and the non-salmonine nearshore fish community (e.g., largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass and other sunfishes). This project addresses specific needs identified in the lake michigan management portion of the strategic plan for the conservation of illinois fisheries resources (illinois department of natural resources) and will provide managers with timely information on the status of important sport and prey fish populations in the illinois portion of lake michigan. This information will be shared with other agency partners and used to monitor trends and changes of abundance or condition of fish stocks. Department fisheries managers will be better able to institute effective management decisions and actions for the betterment of the angling public regarding stocking levels, sport harvest regulations and predator-prey relationships.