Fishing Lake Shelbyville
Lake Shelbyville, located in Shelbyville, Illinois, offers world-class angling to fishermen and women throughout the Midwest. Its 11,000 acres makes it the second largest lake in northern Illinois, after Lake Michigan.
Its surface covers nearly double the acreage as that of the Chain O’Lakes. And, sportsmen and their families from all over the world know it for great fishing.
In addition, the Kaskaskia River, below its spillway, and the upstream West Okaw River and Kaskaskia River feed the lake from the North end. The “rivers” provide even more fishing opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and catfishing for monster flatheads.
lake Shelbyville Fish
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) says that “Lake Shelbyville is home to at least 32 species of fish.” And, it lists fifteen primary species of gamefish in its waters.
Crappie, bass, walleye, saugers, and muskies attract many anglers. In addition, the lake’s diverse fish species make it ideal for family fishing. With that many species, kids will always find something biting!
The All About Fishing website names the lake among the state’s best fishing lakes. It also lists it among the best lakes for walleye, bass, catfish, crappie, and panfish. Shelby County and Lake Shelbyville Area Tourism reported on a number of lake records, including a 4lb., 2 oz. white bass, 8 lb., 55 oz. black bass, a muskie weighing 38 lb., 8 oz., and a 62 lb., 10 oz. catfish!
And, Game and Fish Magazine lists it among its Illinois' Spring Crappie Hotspots. It’s Illinois Crappie Fishing Guide 2019, also pointed out that, “Anglers find hundreds of coves … that hold bait fish, structure in the form of standing and fallen timber and buck brush where crappie spawn in the spring.”
Bass fishermen will regularly find fish up to 21 inches in length and 5.2 pounds! And, Bassmaster magazine pointed out that Lake Shelbyville Habitat Alliance (LSHA) coordinates “an ambitious grassroots project to improve bass habitat at Lake Shelbyville.”
A Community of Lake Shelbyville Supporters
A whole community from the area supports Lake Shelbyville’s fish population and habitat. The Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance has united the IDNR, groups like the Central Illinois Crappie Club, the Springfield Crappie Club, and others. Anglers are catching limits of crappie and walleye are being caught regularly, as a result of the underwater structures built and maintained by the Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance continue to build and maintain structure down the lake.
The US Army Corps of Engineers posts maps and georeferences of cribs, or fish attractors, planted by the Alliance to help anglers locate the fishing structure place throughout the lake.
Fishing Lake Shelbyville All Year Long
The local population includes fishing enthusiasts like bass fishing enthusiast, John Wright. He has been fishing the lake since it opened. And, he guided there for more than a decade.
John said that, while spring and fall crappie fishing gets a lot of attention on the lake, he likes fishing them in the winter. “Sometimes we’ll limit out in an hour or two,” he added.
He also says that early June can yield excellent sauger and walleye fishing, “... especially with an influx of water that brings it up six- or eight-feet every other year or so.” It makes for great fishing, “when the [fish] get up in flooded shoreline vegetation. Then everybody can catch them without knowing all the hotspots.”
The lake, he says, even offers good deep water summer fishing. “It’s one of the best lakes in Illinois then because it doesn’t have oxygen problems like the shallower lakes.”
Staying Informed about Lake Shelbyville Fishing
Fishermen who want to know about Lake Shelbyville fishing can find some information online. The Greater Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce offers its Lake Shelbyville Fishing page. The IDNR’s long-standing, Lake Shelbyville Fishing Guide, also provides plenty of information. And, our own Lithia Resort regularly posts fishing photos and other information on its Facebook Page, @Lithiaonlakeshelbyville.
Lake expert, Lithia fishing guide, Ken Wilson has also fished there since its opening. And, for over 20 years, he has been professionally guiding anglers visiting the lake.
Ken spends a lot of time informing Illinoisans about Lake Shelbyville fishing. Ken’s expertise on the water has made him a key contributor to Dale Bowman’s Sun Times' Midwest Fishing Report. He also helps keep anglers informed through the monthly radio talk show, "Let's Go Fishing" with Al Crooker and his website’s Fishing Report.
Ken, as a guide, regularly takes individuals and groups to fish for crappies, smallmouth bass, white bass, walleyes, and other gamefish. “Tourists often don’t have time to explore all fishing holes on their own,” he explained, “So, when they want to make the best of their vacation time, they can hire a guide and get right on the fish.”
For lake level and lake information you may call 217-774-2020 for an automated message with current information.
Getting Bait and Fishing Tackle Around Lake Shelbyville
Of course, fishing parties coming to Lake Shelbyville can stock up on bait and even pick up tackle nearby. For example, Craig’s Sporting Goods, located at 105 E. Main, in Shelbyville, offers fishing supplies and live bait. They even offer an early morning hour live bait pick by simply calling 30 minutes. You can reach them at 217-296-2130 or, if you happen to be in the store, you can order a day ahead, right there. Otherwise, their regular hours are 9 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday through Saturday.
Closer to Lithia Resort, anglers can pick up live bait at the Lithia Springs Marina during their regular hours. They’re open from Monday through Friday, from 8 AM - 7 PM.
Opportunities for Everyone Fishing Lake Shelbyville
Lake Shelbyville’s large size and fish population make it a tournament favorite in this region, according to John. And pros regularly fish the lake.
Fishing Tournaments on Lake Shelbyville
The IDNR maintains a list of active fishing tournaments on its website, I Fish Illinois. Important tournaments at Lake Shelbyville have included the ...
Illini Division of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League at Lake Shelbyville
The Shelbyville Division of the Bass World Sports Tournament
T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League Tournament on Lake Shelbyville
Lake Shelbyville Kids Fishing Tournament
But, even the humblest of fishing setups can get anglers started fishing Lake Shelbyville. The lake has a number of boat launches and rentals. In addition, individuals can fish from the shore, and tourists gather along the spillway and tributaries to enjoy fishing the currents. Woods Lake, Opossum Pond, and the Dam East Recreation Area even have ADA fishing access for people with disabilities.
