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MT. OLIVE NEW CITY LAKE


Lake Information

County: Macoupin

Acreage: 36

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Electric Only

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

600


Additional information for stocking on Mt. Olive New City Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

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).

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.

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.

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.

Location: Mt. Olive New City Lake is located in southeastern Macoupin County, 2.7 miles northwest of Mt. Olive, IL. The boat ramp can be accessed from New Reservoir Lane.

Description: This lake is 47.8 acres. This is one of two water supply lakes for the City of Mt. Olive.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: 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 – 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.

Additional Lake Information: Site Regulations:
All Fish – 2 pole and line fishing only
Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass - 15" Minimum Length Limit, 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Channel Catfish – 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Contact Information:
City of Mt. Olive Water Works
217-999-2651
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Eric Ratcliff
618-931-4217