Newton Lake Fishing
An IDNR lake of 1,750 acres, found in Jasper County.
Pick for white bassPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Newton Lake: Dan, CC BY 2.0
What an Illinois angler should know about Newton Lake
The IFishIllinois entry gives Newton Lake 1,750 acres; the lake sits in Jasper County. IDNR text gives a maximum depth of 40 feet. Count about 8 miles from the map point to Newton, the closest Census place.
IDNR maps 2 boat ramps along the shore. Statewide limits change here under a digest entry.
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Site notes IDNR prints for Newton Lake
- Location (IDNR)Newton Lake is located in Jasper County, approximately 6 miles southwest of Newton, Illinois and 18 miles southeast of Effingham, Illinois.
- Description (IDNR)Newton Lake is a cooling reservoir owned by Luminant. It was constructed by Central Illinois Power Company in 1975, and was leased by the IDNR and opened for fishing in 1980. Newton Lake has a surface area of 1,750 acres, an average depth of 16 feet, and a maximum depth of 40 feet. The lake has 52 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 30,720 acres.
Yes or no: what Newton Lake offers, per IDNR
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – 25 hp or less limit, except when launching/loading boats
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
Text and flags in this band repeat the IFishIllinois page for Newton Lake as printed.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What the electrofishing found at Newton Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| White Bass | Good | The White Bass population has successfully recruited each year since they were first discovered in 1994 and their numbers have remained relatively constant. However, sampling catch rates increased in 2021 and 2022, but… |
| Largemouth Bass | Good | The Largemouth Bass survey in 2025 showed mixed changes for the population’s size structure. The percentage of adult bass collected over 12” long decreased from 87% in 2024 to 81% in 2025. Along with this decrease, the… |
| Bluegill | Poor | The Bluegill population has been in poor condition and was not sampled in 2025. Historically high summer water temperatures and dense populations of shad contribute to poor reproduction and slow growth. This lake is not… |
For Newton Lake, the fish shown have an IDNR outlook line, stocking row or record behind them.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
For the white bass herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 How Newton Lake got to be the fishery it is
- IDNRThe sport fishery in Newton Lake is best known for the Largemouth Bass fishery. Other conventional sport fish include White Bass, Channel Catfish, crappie, and Bluegill. The lake also contains large numbers of Common Carp, Threadfin Shad, and Gizzard Shad. Newton Lake is open year-round* with the best fishing opportunities from fall through spring. The fish population is surveyed annually.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Trailer ramps that serve Newton Lake
Neighbouring ramps around Newton Lake
- Sam Parr Lake Boat Ramp – SouthwestSam Parr Lake, 12 miles northeast
- Sam Parr Lake Boat Ramp – NortheastSam Parr Lake, 12 miles northeast
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Docks and fish cleaning tables at Newton Lake
- Newton Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Newton Lake
The asset list behind these Newton Lake rows dates from 2019.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR depth maps of Newton Lake
- Newton LakeIDNR depth map
- Newton Lake Cold Water ArmIDNR depth map
- Newton Lake DamIDNR depth map
- Newton Lake Laws Creek ChannelIDNR depth map
- Newton Lake Warm Water ArmIDNR depth map
The IFishIllinois page for Newton Lake links 5 depth maps.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR hatchery trucks at Newton Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Black Crappie | 30,839 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Black Crappie | 79,830 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Black Crappie | 41,960 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Black Crappie | 86,284 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Blacknose Crappie | 16,484 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Black Crappie | 43,918 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
The IDNR table credits Newton Lake with these fish; release days are not published.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
The IDNR keep rules for Newton Lake
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Start with the statewide rows at Newton Lake, then check its own entry.
Digest lines written just for Newton Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Newton Lake | Recreational Use Restrictions The cold water (East) arm of Newton Lake shall be closed daily from one half hour before sunrise until 1:00 p.m. to all fishing and boat traffic except for legal waterfowl hunters during waterfowl season commencing with regular duck season through the close of the Canad | |
| Newton Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Newton Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Newton Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 10 inch Minimum Length Limit; 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
- Code 1Sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached (Alabama rigs not allowed) while fishing, except that legal size cast nets (in accordance with Section 810.50(a)(2)), shad scoops, and minnow …
- Code 5Sport fishermen may take carp, carpsuckers, buffalo, gar, bowfin and suckers by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices.
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 46, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
Sizing Newton Lake against other Illinois lakes
East Fork Lake tops this table with 935 IDNR acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton Lake | 1,750 | 40 | 2 | White Bass | |
| Sam Parr Lake | 12 miles northeast | 180 | 28 | 2 | Crappie spp. |
| Borah Lake | 16 miles southeast | 137 | 26 | 1 | Flathead Catfish |
| East Fork Lake | 17 miles southeast | 935 | 40 | 1 | Bluegill |
| Lake Sara | 24 miles northwest | 614 | 47 | 3 | Bluegill |
| Toledo Reservoir | 25 miles north | 3.0 | 7 | 0 |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Newton Lake
Nearby impoundments to try after Newton Lake
- Sam Parr Lake12 miles northeast
- Borah Lake16 miles southeast
- East Fork Lake17 miles southeast
- Lake Sara24 miles northwest
- Toledo Reservoir25 miles north
Bait counters on the drive to Newton Lake
- Rauch's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Newton, 2 miles
- Hotshots Bowfishingbait and tackle shop, Clay City, 20 miles
- J & J Marinamarina, Effingham, 24 miles
- Red Fox Landingmarina, Effingham, 24 miles
Places to sleep and eat near Newton Lake
- Newton8 miles
- Louisville15 miles
- Olney17 miles
Newton Lake, cut along Illinois county lines
- Jasper Countyseat: Newton
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Newton Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Timber, cornfield and water around Newton Lake through a lens
Photo: Dan, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Photo: Aaron Lucas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain
Newton Lake, sorted out question by question
Which counties border Newton Lake?
Newton Lake is located in Jasper County, approximately 6 miles southwest of Newton, Illinois and 18 miles southeast of Effingham, Illinois. Point the car at Jasper County, about 8 miles from Newton.
How many IDNR acres does Newton Lake spread over?
IDNR lists 1,750 acres, and the IDNR text gives a 40 foot maximum depth.
Which IDNR ramp is handiest for Newton Lake?
2 boat ramps are mapped, including Newton Lake East Boat Ramp.
Which fish turn up in IDNR surveys of Newton Lake?
white bass lead the IDNR outlook (good), with largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie also named.
What does the 2026 digest let me keep at Newton Lake?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. Site rules printed above take priority.
May a visitor from Indiana or Iowa fish Newton Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Does Newton Lake have shore access?
IDNR facility flags: Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes; piers are not listed.
Where do Newton Lake anglers buy tackle?
Rauch's Bait & Tackle, about 2 miles away, is the first shop on our list.
Make the drive to Newton Lake
IDNR fees and the statewide table are on one page.