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SAM PARR LAKE
Lake Information
County: Jasper
Acreage: 180
Average Depth: 10.04 feet
Shoreline Length: 9.6 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Unrestricted; No Wake
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2021 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
4000 |
2022 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
4105 |
Additional information for stocking on Sam Parr Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Average | Black crappie have become the more numerous/dominant species in recent years. Black crappie average body condition was at the lake management plan minimum target. Nearly 60% of the adult black crappie were in the 8” – 10” size range and 20% exceeded 9”. Anglers can expect to see most fish in the 8” – 10” range, with black crappie being the more prevalent species. However, small fish of both species will also be abundant. Most black crappie caught will likely weigh between 0.25 and 0.5 pounds and larger white crappie may weigh more than 1 pound. Harvest of smaller crappie at Sam Parr Lake is encouraged. | |
Poor | Size structure of the bluegill population remained stable and poor. Average body condition remained above the lake management plan target. The bluegill sample collected in 2021 continued to be comprised almost entirely of fish under 7” in length. The precipitous decline in the quality of the bluegill population coincided with the 2005 appearance of gizzard shad. Anglers can expect most fish to range from 5” – 7” and weigh from 0.1 – 0.22 pounds. | |
Very Good | Catfish remain relatively abundant in Sam Parr Lake and should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Most fish will range from 1 – 4 pounds with a few larger fish over 5 pounds. This lake provides many bank fishing opportunities. The best places to fish include the rip-rap along the dam, the upper ends of the two main arms of the lake, and in the backs of coves. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit. | |
Very Good | All of the largemouth bass size structure indices met their lake management plan goals. The electrofishing catch rate decreased from the 2020 survey but remained well above the target. Approximately 27% of the adult bass in the sample were larger than the 14” minimum length limit. Average body condition remained below the lake management plan target, but the body condition of bass over 16” was very good. The discrepancy in body condition is likely a result of the strong gizzard shad population in the lake. Nearly 50% of the gizzard shad collected in recent surveys have exceeded 7” in length and have not been available as a prey source for the smaller bass. In 2022, anglers can expect most keeper bass to be 1.3 – 5 pounds with a few larger fish over 6 pounds. | |
Fair | The white crappie sample collected in 2021 was comprised mostly of a few larger and older fish and a strong class of fish below 8”. Harvest of smaller crappie at Sam Parr Lake is encouraged. | |
Location: Sam Parr Lake is located in Jasper County, approximately 3 miles northeast of Newton Illinois on IL Rt 33.
Description: Sam Parr Lake was constructed in Sam Parr State Park near Newton in 1971 through the cooperative efforts of the Illinois Department of Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Federal funds for construction of the lake were provided through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. Sam Parr Lake has a surface area of 180 acres, a maximum depth of 28 feet, and a mean depth of 10 feet. The lake has 9.5 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 3,950 acres.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The sport fish population in Sam Parr Lake is comprised of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, white crappie, and channel catfish. The lake also contains common carp and gizzard shad. The fish population is surveyed annually.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only. Boats with outboard motors must operate at No-Wake/Idle speed in all parts of the lake, regardless of motor size (no horsepower limit).
Site Regulations:
Largemouth bass: 6 fish daily limit, 14" minimum length limit
Channel catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Contact Information: Sam Parr State Park 618-783-2661 IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood618-393-6732
There were 26 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2021.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Channel Catfish | 37 |
| Largemouth Bass | 493 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2021 tournaments:
| 1 7.29 lbs | 2 6.85 lbs | 3 6.52 lbs | 4 6.05 lbs | 5 6.00 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2021 tournaments:
| 1 | 62500.00 lbs |
| 2 | 100.01 lbs |
| 3 | 95.00 lbs |
| 4 | 75.50 lbs |
| 5 | 69.13 lbs |
Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.
Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.
| 2022 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
| Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
| October-01 | 20874 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| October-08 | 22269 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| October-09 | 22389 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| October-22 | 22378 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 9 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
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