Lake Campton is an impoundment lake, created in 1953 by Bill Fisher, a local developer. The construction of a 15 foot high earthen dam across Ferson Creek created the lake, originally known as Fisher’s Lake. When this 39 surface acre lake was formed, its average depth was 15 feet at the west end and 25 feet on the east end. Lake Campton lies within the Ferson and Otter Creek watersheds of the Fox River basin, which then are part of the Illinois River and upper Mississippi River watersheds.
The lake is now owned and managed by the Lake Campton Property Owners Association (LCPOA), which was formed in the 1970s.
The lake is used recreationally for fishing, non-power or electric-powered boating, ice skating, and aesthetic enjoyment. Lake access
is available to LCPOA members and their guests. A limited amount of outside fishing memberships are available. The lake holds a healthy
population of bluegill, largemouth bass and crappie. Although not stocked, carious other species have been caught, including northern pike,
catfish, shad and carp (catch and release is required for all bass and northern pike).
Over the years, sediment from upstream, storm water run-off, and floods have contributed to a decrease in overall water depth. The lake
was drained and partially dredged in the late 1970's and early 1980’s. Presently the lake has been reduced to approximately 36
surface acres with 9 foot depth on the east end and 1 foot or less on the west end. Lake Campton has a mud bottom and a reasonable amount
of weeds, which are good for fish reproduction. However, warm weather and rich nutrients create aggressive weed and algae growth, which
the LCPOA currently controls with weekly chemical treatment during spring and summer months.
Lake management activities include periodic fish population surveys, fishery rehabilitations, fish stocking, water quality monitoring,
and annual nuisance/invasive aquatic plant control. LCPOA members are also active in environmental projects involving the Ferson Creek
Watershed Committee, Natural Resources Advisors Committee for the Kane County Green Infrastructure, and the Illinois EPA Water Quality
Monitoring Volunteer Program. Education is offered to Lake Campton property owners regarding lake buffers, septic system maintenance,
and native plantings.