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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
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 |
Poor | Size structure of the bluegill population remained stable and poor. Average body condition remained above the lake management plan target. Very few bluegill over 7” have been collected in recent years and no bluegill over 7” were collected in 2022. The precipitous decline in the quality of the bluegill population coincided with the 2005 appearance of gizzard shad, and the bluegill population will likely always be hindered by the presence shad. Anglers can expect most fish to range from 5” – 7” and weigh from 0.1 – 0.2 pounds. | |
Very Good | Catfish remain relatively abundant in Sam Parr Lake and should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Nearly 70% of adult catfish collected were 14” or longer and approximately 10% exceeded 18” long. Most fish in 2023 should range from 1 – 3 pounds with a few larger fish over 5 pounds. This lake provides many bank fishing opportunities. The best places to fish include the riprap along the dam, the upper ends of the two main arms of the lake, along the tent camping shoreline, and in the backs of coves. | |
Good | Sam Parr Lake contains both white and black crappie, but the size structures of the populations are different. Average body condition was below the lake management plan minimum target for both species. Black crappie have been the more dominant species in the past three surveys, but in 2022, white crappie were more numerous. Approximately 53% of the adult black crappie collected were in the 8” – 10” size range and only 11% exceeded 9”, while 55% of white crappie were in the 8” – 10” size range and 27% exceeded 9”. Crappie fishing should remain fair/good in the coming year with many black crappie in the 7” – 9” range and weighing 0.17 - 0.34 pounds, and a few larger white crappie exceeding 1 pounds. Small fish of both species will also be abundant, and harvest of these smaller fish is encouraged. | |
Very Good | The percentage of adult bass in the 12” – 15” size range decreased to below the lake management plan target in the 2022 survey. The electrofishing catch rate improved from the 2021 survey and it remained well above the minimum target. Approximately 24% of the adult bass in the sample were larger than the 14” minimum length limit, down from 27% in 2021. Approximately 18% of the adult bass collected were greater than 15” and 8% exceeded 18” in length. 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 60% 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 2023, anglers can expect most keeper bass to be 1.3 – 5 pounds with a few larger fish over 6 pounds. | |
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, and summaries are based on the results of the most recent population survey and four-year trends in the population indices.
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 20 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.
Species | Total Fish Caught |
Largemouth Bass | 337 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
1 7.18 lbs | 2 6.60 lbs | 3 6.38 lbs | 4 6.20 lbs | 5 6.08 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
1 | 75.38 lbs |
2 | 66.00 lbs |
3 | 61.32 lbs |
4 | 56.00 lbs |
5 | 48.06 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.
2023 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
May-31 | 24140 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-03 | 23246 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-08 | 23102 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-11 | 22863 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-14 | 24141 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-17 | 22867 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-24 | 22715 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-25 | 22726 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-28 | 24142 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-09 | 23031 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-13 | 23104 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-15*July-16 | 24118 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 12 | Blue Catfish Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish | No | Yes |
August-06 | 23041 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 8 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-12 | 22878 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-20 | 22886 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-24 | 23106 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-27 | 23365 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 8 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-17 | 23239 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 19 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-20 | 24143 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
September-23 | 24472 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-24 | 23794 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-30 | 22873 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-01 | 22789 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 17 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-08 | 22755 | Approved | Sam Parr SFWA | boathook | 17 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |