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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Jack Lake

Mason County, Illinois · about 1,310 acres (2 sq mi)

53°F water, calm tomorrow morning.

Water53°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today13 mphN
Best bite3:15 pmto 4:30 pm

About Jack Lake

Jack Lake spreads over about 1,310 acres in Mason County, Illinois.

From end to end it runs about 3 miles and its shoreline adds up to about 11.2 miles. The water sits about 440 ft above sea level. Havana lies about 8 miles to the northeast. The closest city is Springfield, about 38 miles away.

Size
About 1,310 acres (2 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 11.2 miles
End to end
About 3 miles
Elevation
About 440 ft
County
Mason County

The lake from above

1 1 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Good

  • 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise
  • 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 13 mph

Saturday Good

  • 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 2 mph
  • 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 2 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

For a lake of this size in Illinois, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish are the fish to expect. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. At 53°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.

  • Fair
    Largemouth bass

    Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.

  • Fair
    Crappie

    Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.

  • Slow
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.

  • Fair
    Catfish

    Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Back of a cove

    Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6

5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

53°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Friday 44° / —° 13 mph N Mostly Sunny
Saturday 48° / 24° 2 mph NNW Sunny
Sunday 51° / 24° 1 mph NNE Sunny

Sunrise 6:44 am · sunset 4:45 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Jack Lake

  • Havanaabout 8 mi northeast
  • Astoriaabout 9.2 mi west
  • Lewistownabout 13 mi north
  • Virginiaabout 15 mi south
  • Springfieldnearest city, about 38 mi southeast

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Questions about Jack Lake

What fish are in Jack Lake?

Lakes like Jack Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Jack Lake?

We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.

How big is Jack Lake?

About 1,310 acres, with about 11.2 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Jack Lake?

Havana is about 8 miles northeast; Astoria is about 9.2 miles west.

What is the water temperature at Jack Lake today?

The surface was about 53°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Jack Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

Get it on Google Play

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