Lake Jacksonville is about three miles south of Jacksonville east of Route 67 on New Lake Road. Information on Lake Jacksonville can be obtained by calling (217) 479-4646. Contact the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce at (217) 245-2174, or at JacksonvilleAreaChamber.

Siloam Springs Lake
The smallest lake in our channel catfish overview is the 58-acre Siloam Springs Lake in Adams County.

Although small, stockings from the DNR fish hatchery system keep the channel catfishery in great shape here. Angler pressure is strong, but the fishery continues to provide great catfishing.

There is ample access at this lake and several amenities are available at the Siloam Springs State Park. Bank-fishing is abundant, and there are six fishing piers as well. Boaters are limited to electric motors only, but you can find great catfishing by targeting the shallow flats near Cattail Cove.

There is a six-catfish-per-day creel limit here. Anglers can only use two poles and lines, with a maximum of four hooks. A concession with bait and boat rentals is on site.

Siloam Springs Lake is located about three miles from Kellerville off County Road 2873. More information is available at (217) 894-6205. The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce is online at QuincyChamber.org, and its phone number is (217) 222-7980.

REGION V
Newton Lake
Newton Lake is a 1,750-acre reservoir with a tremendously dense channel catfish population located eight miles southwest of Newton in Jasper County.

The smaller catfish in Crab Orchard are not as abundant as Newton Lake, and this leads to an average catch between 2 to 4 pounds. Larger fish are also caught.

This is a cooling lake, so the warm water leads to year-round fishing opportunities. However, a portion of the lake is closed during winter for waterfowl season.

But the channel catfish don't take any time off. They are thriving here, and the lake is actually overpopulated with smaller-sized cats. Reproduction is always high in Newton Lake, and the catfish do not grow particularly fast until after they attain a weight of around 1 1/2 pounds, and then they take off. This has produced a bunch of cats less than 1 pound, but once the fish get "over the hump," so to speak, they grow much better and there are plenty of fish in the 2- to 4-pound range. Bigger fish are present as well.

You have great chances from shore and boat here. Bank-anglers now have expanded opportunity to fish due to additional shoreline being opened to fishing. There is one boat launch located at the south access area, but motors are restricted to 25 horsepower. There is a two-pole and two-line regulation, but there aren't any size or creel limits on catfish.

To reach Newton Lake from I-57 and I-70, take exit 160 at Effingham. Take Route 33 east to Dieterich and turn right at the stoplight. Travel south approximately 12 miles and turn left at the Newton Lake Entrance sign. For more info, call the Newton Lake State FWA at (618) 783-3478, or go online to www.dnr.state.il.us/ lands/Landmgt/parks/r5/newton. The Jasper County Chamber of Commerce Web site address is www. newtonillinois.com/chamber, or call them at (618) 783-3399.