Mt. Olive New City Lake
Info / Macoupin County
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
Yes - Electric motors only
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
No
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 36 acres
Fishing Outlook
Bluegill
Good
The Bluegill fishery in this lake has improved and should provide good fishing. In our survey, 27% of Bluegill were longer than 7”, and 3% were longer than 8” (based on Bluegill that were 3 inches or longer).
Largemouth Bass
Very Good
The 2021 survey yielded a catch rate of 66 Largemouth Bass/hour of electrofishing, which indicates a strong bass population. The size structure of the bass population is good, with 50% of the bass over 12 inches in length, 33% over 15 inches, and 13% over 18 inches (based on bass collected that were 8 inches or longer). Bass ranged in length from 5 to 21 inches, and the heaviest bass was 5 lbs.
Channel Catfish
Good
A Channel Catfish population is maintained in this lake through biennial supplemental stockings from IDNR hatcheries. The most recent stocking was July of 2020. Only 4 Channel Catfish/hour of electrofishing were captured in the 2021 survey, but low numbers are expected because the electrofishing gear used is not calibrated to target catfish. The largest catfish collected was 28.5 inches and weighed 10 pounds.
White Crappie
Very Good
White Crappie were numerous and ranged in length from 4.3 to 9.7 inches. Of the crappie collected that were over 5 inches, 65% were longer than 8 inches, and 8% were longer than 9 inches.
Contact
217-999-2651
Description
This lake is 47.8 acres. This is one of two water supply lakes for the City of Mt. Olive.Fishery History
The lake has excessive organic sediment that has caused parts of the lake to become shallow. The lake is also fertile, which has caused aquatic plant problems and fish kills in the past. Despite these impairments, the status of the sport-fishery in this lake is good. Largemouth Bass numbers and size distribution are good, and more Bluegill are reaching 7 to 8 inches than in the past. Common Carp, while generally considered a nuisance species, are numerous enough to provide an additional fishing opportunity for those interested in that species. Other species collected in the survey included Bluegill x Green Sunfish Hybrid, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, Redear Sunfish, Yellow Bass, and Black Crappie. These species were collected in low numbers except for Common Carp, Yellow Bass and Golden Shiner.Site Regulations
Mt. Olive New City Lake has an electric trolling motor only regulation.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit