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SHELBYVILLE, LAKE
SHELBYVILLE, LAKE FISHING GUIDE
Lake Information
County: Shelby
Acreage: 11100
Average Depth: 18.90 feet
Shoreline Length: 120 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Unrestricted
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? Yes
Skiing? Yes
Swimming? Yes
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
Click on area names for a more detailed map.
Coal Shaft Bridge,
Coon Creek,
Eagle Creek,
Kaskaskia River Access,
Lithia Springs,
Lone Point,
Oppossum Creek,
Shelbyville Dam,
Whitley Creek,
Wilborn Creek,
Wolf Creek
Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2023 |
Black Crappie |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
75000 |
2023 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
6167 |
2023 |
Striped Bass |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
68210 |
2023 |
Striped Bass |
Fry |
1068 |
2023 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
98035 |
2024 |
Sauger |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
63292 |
2024 |
Striped Bass |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
3853 |
2024 |
Striped Bass |
Fry |
89072 |
2024 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
299734 |
Additional information for stocking on Shelbyville, Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Very Good | Abundance has been decreasing slightly. Fish up to 11-12 inches can be found with the occasional larger fish. | |
Fair | Fishing is fair. Few fish exceed 7 inches. | |
Good | Are fairly abundant with 8+ pound fish present. Catfish spawning boxes will soon be placed in the lake in the hopes it will improve natural recruitment. | |
Fair | Are low in abundance, but large fish are present. | |
Average | Population is relatively stable. The 2022 year-class appears to have been a bit weaker than average, however 2020, 2021, and 2023 were all at or above average. The lack of aquatic vegetation and continued loss of coarse woody debris continues to be the biggest hinderance to the population. We are frequently asked about stocking of bass. Research has shown that stocked largemouth bass contribute very little to an established population, especially in a reservoir this large. | |
Developing | Recent efforts have begun to successfully restore the muskie population in Lake Shelbyville. The 2022 and 2023 year-classes are particularly strong, with muskie over 30 inches expected to be moderately abundant in 2024. A decent fishery still exists below the spillway, with an abundance of 25–40-inch muskie. | |
Very Good | Annual stocking began in 2020 (only periodic stocking before that) and the population is doing well with most fish in the 12-16 inch range. | |
Poor | Abundance is low as we attempt to develop a population through stocking. Brood stock are collected from the Kaskaskia River, transported to Jake Wolf Hatchery where they spawn, and fry are then reared on-site at the Fin-and-Feather rearing pond. The occasional fish is reported caught by anglers. No evidence of natural recruitment has been observed. Catch and release is encouraged. | |
Developing | In moderate abundance thanks to annual stockings. Walleye up to 8 lbs. have been collected, as well as good numbers of intermediate sized fish. | |
Very Good | In moderate abundance thanks to annual stockings. Walleye up to 8 lbs. have been collected, as well as good numbers of intermediate sized fish. | |
Excellent | Numbers have recovered rapidly over the last several years after a die-off in the mid 2010’s. White bass are abundant with 12-15 inch fish common. | |
Excellent | Recruitment and growth rates have been great over the last 5+ years. Catch rates and length distributions are in the ideal range. Anglers can expect to find White Crappie up to 13 inches, with the occasional larger fish. | |
Location: Lake Shelbyville is located in Shelby and Moultrie Counties in east-central Illinois, with the dam situated on the Kaskaskia River, east of the City of Shelbyville, Illinois.
Description: This lake has a surface area of 11,100 acres, with a maximum depth of 65 feet, and an average depth of 18 feet. Numerous public boat launching facilities are available, with a fee assessed on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers developed access area boat ramps, and free access on state park or Corps gravel boat ramps. All tournaments must be scheduled through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (217-774-3951).
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The fish population in Lake Shelbyville is surveyed annually. Lake Shelbyville is home to at least 32 species of fish. In addition to the lake, a popular fishery exists in the Kaskaskia River just below the spillway and in the West Okaw and Kaskaskia Rivers upstream of the lake. The USACE and IDNR manage two nursery ponds, 6.5 and 0.7 acres, which are currently used to raise walleye, sauger, and smallmouth bass to stock into the lake.
Additional Lake Information: See the Illinois Fishing Information guide for a complete list of regulations for Lake Shelbyville and other USACE and IDNR project ponds and lakes. Regulation signs are posted at all boat ramps and major access points. All fishing tournaments on USACE ramps require a permit from the USACE office.
Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance: The Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance (LSFHA) was formed in 2017 in an effort to improve habitat in the lake. To date, the LSFHA, USACE, and IDNR have placed over 2,000 artificial structures in the lake, as well as over 350 tons of offshore rock pile habitat. To keep up to date with habitat builds and other volunteer opportunities, follow the LSFHA at https://www.facebook.com/fishlakeshelbyville/
Artificial Habitat Maps can be found at:
https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lake-Shelbyville/Recreation/Fish-Attractor-Maps/
Contact Information: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 217-774-3951IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Jim Garavaglia217-345-2420
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.
2024–2025 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
November-24 | 27092 | Approved | Forrest "Bo" Wood Rec. Area | boathook | 40 | Crappie | No | No |
April-26 | 27911 | Pending | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 100 | Crappie | No | No |
May-03 | 27456 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 120 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-03 | 28109 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
May-04 | 27557 | Pending | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Crappie | No | No |
May-12 | 27264 | Pending | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 50 | Crappie | No | Yes |
May-17 | 27207 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
May-17 | 27829 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-14 | 27734 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-14 | 28104 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-21 | 27467 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 120 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-21*June-22 | 27508 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-22 | 27331 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 17 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-28 | 27212 | Pending | Opossum Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-29 | 27332 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 17 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-12 | 27213 | Pending | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-12*July-13 | 27300 | Pending | Opossum Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-02 | 27215 | Pending | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-16 | 27208 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-17 | 27621 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-06*September-07 | 28147 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-14 | 27580 | Pending | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Crappie | No | No |
September-21 | 27218 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 100 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-27 | 27228 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 80 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
October-04*October-05 | 27515 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-04*October-05 | 27888 | Pending | Lithia Springs Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-11*October-12 | 27299 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 90 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-11 | 27269 | Pending | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 25 | Crappie | No | Yes |
October-18*October-19 | 27353 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 17 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-25*October-26 | 27355 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 17 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |