DNR biologist Mike Hooe says of Newton “The lake produces large bass and always has” and there are many reasons for it. It is a cooling lake that helps fish to grow year around which is unusual in the Midwest. The legal limit is 18″ , there is abundant shad the predominant food source and it is in a great location. It is said about Newton Lake that it has everything, ditches, ledges, islands and flats, classic bass fishing structure. If you like to finesse’ fish with tubes, worms and jigs or if you like the higher speed of crank and spinner baits they will all work on this impound.
Lake Statistics:1775 water surface acres, the record fish pulled out is 10-6 one of three documented to be over ten- pounders. The maximum depth at full pool is 35 feet. It has been calculated that over 41% of the adult bass are 15″ or longer.
About Newton Lake
Where:
Is easily reached from anywhere in the Midwest. Located in South Central Illinois, southeast of Effingham in Jasper County, Newton Lake is near the town of Newton, IL. If you travel east on Highway 33 out of Effingham for 17 miles, then take Highway 4 south for nine miles you end up at Newton Lake in the 2,315-acre Newton Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area.
About The Area:
The IDNR (Illinois Department of Natural Resources) has been attempting since 1994 to reestablish the endangered river otter in Newton. Nature lovers can find bald eagles and spot ospreys, herons and wild turkeys. There are 12-miles of trail available for horseback riding, cross-country skiing and/or hikers. The Jasper County Prairie Chicken Sanctuary is next to the lake and also abuts 200 acres donated by AmerenCIPS to conserve and manage the greater prairie chicken. The Newton Lake Fish & Wildlife Area can be contacted at: phone: 618-783-3478 the address is 3490 E. 500th Ave., Newton, IL 62448
Places To Stay:
Outdoor Sportsman’s Lodge offers lodging and fully guided or semi-guided fishing, there are all-inclusive sportsman’s packages including meals, guided pheasant and quail shooting, whitetail deer hunts, they even have Cast and Blast combos. You can check them out at www.outdoorsportsmanslodge.comby calling Tab or Vicki Walker on 618-752-5075. For additional information contact the Effingham Convention & Visitors Bureau: 217-342-5310, www.effinghamil.com; or the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce: 618-783-3399.
Best Time To Fish:
September through June is the best time to fish. Once July and August roll around the high lake temperatures stress the largemouth bass population. During Illinois’ firearm deer season in November the lake is closed to fishing for seven days. From Thanksgiving until the end of January during the waterfowl season, fishing is restricted exclusively to the warm water arm of Newton Lake.
Tips & Tricks: Once summer patterns take effect, usually around the middle of may Texas or Carolina rigged soft plastic worms, craws or lizards provide good results. In the winter months topwater lures (spooks, torpedoes, Horny toads) work best on the warm water arm of the lake. If the bite is slow it is recommended by the locals to use a jig with white and chartreuse or a white marabou grub tail. Local Guide Tad Walker’s bait of choice especially for big pre-spawn bass in late winter and early spring is the skirted jig with a large plastic craw as a trailer; also you might try 1/4-ounce jigs to land one of the Newton Lake lunkers.
Bring Lots Of Other Baits:
Since Newton Lake bass feed all year on shad, your tacklebox should include a large selection of clear, chrome, pearl and white shad baits in different finishes. Include a variety of deep to shallow-running crankbaits as well as rattling lipless crankbaits such as those types sold by Rapala and Cotton Cordell.
Other information:
The Big Ten Bass Championship was held on Newton Lake March 2007.
Denny Brauer Bassmaster Classic Champion has filmed over 12 of his TV shows at Newton.
There is a 25-hp limit, you can have a larger motor you just cannot operate it.
It is not unusual to have days when an angler can boat 50 to 100 quality largemouth bass.
That my friends is just a little about Newton Lake, Illinois!