West Frankfort New City Lake Fishing
Franklin County holds this 214-acre IDNR-listed lake.
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West Frankfort New City Lake, the Prairie State snapshot
With 214 acres on the IDNR listing, West Frankfort New City Lake is a lake in Franklin County. Thompsonville is the nearest Census place, roughly 2 miles from the IDNR map point.
You can put in at 1 boat ramp on the IDNR map. The digest prints site-specific rules for it.
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.
Amenities IDNR lists at West Frankfort New City Lake
- Location (IDNR)West Frankfort New City Lake is located approximately 5 miles east of West Frankfort, Illinois and just south of Route 149 in Franklin County.
- Description (IDNR)West Frankfort New City Lake is a 214-acre city-owned impoundment. The lake is mostly surrounded by homes and has an improved boat ramp.
The IDNR amenity list for West Frankfort New City Lake
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – 25 hp limit
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingNo
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
This band carries the IFishIllinois text on West Frankfort New City Lake word for word.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
The IDNR outlook for West Frankfort New City Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Bass | Good | Yellow Bass were collected in West Frankfort New City Lake in spring 2021, and these fish compete for food with sunfish and other small predators. In order to reduce the Yellow Bass population, anglers are encouraged to… |
| White Crappie | Good | Good numbers of White Crappie (104 per hour) were included in the 2021 West Frankfort New City Lake sample. Average body condition was substandard, an indication of an overcrowded condition relative to the available… |
| Bluegill | Excellent | Bluegill abundance in West Frankfort New City Lake in 2021 was high, as evidenced by a catch rate of 462 per hour of electrofishing. Quality of these fish was good with 36% larger than 6 inches. Bluegill body condition… |
For West Frankfort New City Lake, IDNR gives bluegill a excellent outlook.
Names above trace to IDNR for West Frankfort New City Lake, not to angler reports.
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.
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- West Frankfort New City Lake Boat Ramppaved ramp, Paved ramp, gravel parking
More public launches that reach West Frankfort New City Lake
- Arrowhead Lake Boat RampArrowhead Lake, 8 miles southwest
- Rend Lake South Marcum Boat RampRend Lake, 12 miles northwest
- Buckner City Reservoir Boat RampBuckner City Reservoir, 13 miles northwest
- Rend Lake North Marcum Boat RampRend Lake, 13 miles northwest
- Rend Lake Dam West Boat RampRend Lake, 14 miles northwest
- Rend Lake Gun Creek South Boat RampRend Lake, 14 miles northwest
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Fish IDNR stocked in West Frankfort New City Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Channel Catfish | 3,000 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | 3,000 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Channel Catfish | 3,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
Rows for West Frankfort New City Lake come from the IDNR stocking table, which gives the year but not the day.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Illinois limits that apply on West Frankfort New City 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 |
Those statewide digest rows apply on West Frankfort New City Lake wherever no site-specific line overrides them.
Digest regulations printed for West Frankfort New City Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| West Frankfort New City Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| West Frankfort New City Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| West Frankfort New City Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 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 …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 60, 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.
West Frankfort New City Lake among its neighbours
On size, Harrisburg New City Reservoir leads the nearby lakes at 209 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Frankfort New City Lake | 214 | 1 | Yellow Bass | ||
| West Frankfort Old City Lake | 1 mile southwest | 147 | 0 | ||
| Arrowhead Lake | 8 miles southwest | 30 | 1 | Crappie spp. | |
| Harrisburg New City Reservoir | 12 miles east | 209 | 30 | 1 | Redear Sunfish |
| Buckner City Reservoir | 12 miles northwest | 17 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Sahara Lake | 14 miles southeast | not printed | 2 | Bluegill |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from West Frankfort New City Lake
Lakes in the same corner of the state as West Frankfort New City Lake
- West Frankfort Old City Lake1 mile southwest
- Arrowhead Lake8 miles southwest
- Harrisburg New City Reservoir12 miles east
- Buckner City Reservoir12 miles northwest
- Sahara Lake14 miles southeast
Filling the bait bucket near West Frankfort New City Lake
- Rend Lake Fishing Guidesbait and tackle shop, Benton, 10 miles
- G & S Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Benton, 10 miles
- Dunn's Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Marion, 14 miles
- Just Add Water Bait Tackle & Morebait and tackle shop, Marion, 21 miles
- Egyptian Hills Marina Incmarina, Creal Springs, 23 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Carbondalesporting goods store, Carbondale, 25 miles
Guided outings that launch on West Frankfort New City Lake
- Rend Lake Fishing Guidesfishing guide, Benton, (618) 472-4763
Tackle loaner sites near West Frankfort New City Lake
- West Frankfort Public LibraryWest Frankfort, 7 miles
- Benton Public LibraryBenton, 9 miles
- Galatia Public LibraryGalatia, 11 miles
- Harrisburg Parks and RecreationHarrisburg, 17 miles
Illinois towns close to West Frankfort New City Lake
- West Frankfort7 miles
- Johnston City9 miles
- Benton10 miles
County guides linked to West Frankfort New City Lake
- Franklin Countyseat: Benton
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for West Frankfort New City Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the West Frankfort New City Lake fish apart by photo
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Straight replies on West Frankfort New City Lake
How do I find West Frankfort New City Lake on an Illinois map?
West Frankfort New City Lake is located approximately 5 miles east of West Frankfort, Illinois and just south of Route 149 in Franklin County. Its county listing is Franklin County, about 2 miles from Thompsonville.
Is West Frankfort New City Lake a large lake for Illinois?
IDNR gives 214 acres.
Can I tow a bass boat to West Frankfort New City Lake and launch?
IDNR maps one: West Frankfort New City Lake Boat Ramp.
Which fish does IDNR list for West Frankfort New City Lake?
The IDNR outlook gives yellow bass a good; other fish listed include white crappie, bluegill and channel catfish.
How many black bass does the digest allow at West Frankfort New City 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. The limits band adds this water's digest entry.
Is an Illinois license required at West Frankfort New City Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Where can I bank fish at West Frankfort New City Lake?
No pier on file; IDNR flags Family Friendly No; Handicap Access No.
Can I get bait on the way to West Frankfort New City Lake?
Our list starts with Rend Lake Fishing Guides, about 10 miles away,.
Pack the rods for West Frankfort New City Lake
Fees, stamps and site rules sit on the license page.