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SHELBYVILLE, LAKE
SHELBYVILLE, LAKE FISHING GUIDE
Lake Information

County: Shelby
Acreage: 11100
Average Depth: 18.9 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 |
2021 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
8948 |
2021 |
Muskellunge |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
4945 |
2021 |
Muskellunge |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
20000 |
2021 |
Sauger |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
140639 |
2021 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
135251 |
2022 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
10353 |
2022 |
Sauger |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
112775 |
2022 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
145320 |
Additional information for stocking on Shelbyville, Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Fair | Fishing is fair. Few fish exceed 7 inches. | |
Good | Channel catfish are fair in abundance, with 8+lbs. fish present. | |
Excellent | Both white crappie and black crappie are abundant. Recruitment and growth rates have been good, in part due to recent flooding events. Anglers may catch crappie that are 15+ inches and 1+ lbs. | |
Good | Flathead catfish are low in abundance, but large fish are present. Fishing is better below the spillway. | |
Fair | Largemouth bass virus has had lasting effects on the population, as has the reduction of course woody debris and the lack of aquatic vegetation. Efforts to establish aquatic vegetation will hopefully improve the largemouth bass population. We are frequently asked about stocking of bass, however research has shown that stocked largemouth bass contribute very little to the population, especially in a reservoir this large. | |
Poor | Muskellunge catch rates in the lake have decreased drastically from previous years. This has been compounded by issues with stocking survival, though progress has recently been made in improving initial stocking survival. A decent fishery still exists below the spillway, with decent densities of 30-40+ inch fish present. | |
Fair | Sauger have been occasionally stocked since 2006 and are in fair to good abundance. | |
Poor | Smallmouth Bass are low in abundance as we attempt to develop a population through stockings. Brood stock are from the Kaskaskia River. The occasional fish is reported caught by anglers. No evidence of natural recruitment has been observed. Catch and immediate release is encouraged. | |
Developing | Striped Bass were stocked in 2018 and 2019 and are exhibiting exceptional growth rates. A new regulation is in place to help create a quality fishery. Please take the time to learn how to identify the difference between striped bass and white bass so that the striped bass can have a chance to grow to their maximum potential! A pocket-sized identification card will be available at local bait shops and businesses, or by emailing the IDNR biologist. | |
Good | Walleye are in high abundance, both due to stocking efforts as well as occasional (suspected) natural recruitment. Walleye up to 8 lbs. have been collected, as are good numbers of intermediate sized fish. | |
Good | White bass numbers have been down for several years but a decent fishery still exists. Most fish range from ½ to 1 lb. | |
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.
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. In cooperation between the USACE and the IDNR, two nursery ponds, 6.5 and 0.7 acres, are utilized to improve fishing quality in Lake Shelbyville.
An annual fish attractor project is coordinated by the USACE in coordination with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) on the third Saturday in March. Fish attractor maps can be found here: http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lake-Shelbyville/Recreation/Fish-Attractor-Maps/
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.
NEWS: The Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance (LSFHA) was formed in 2017 with the purpose to apply to granting agencies for funding to improve angling quality on Lake Shelbyville. Many individuals, fishing clubs, tournament organizers, businesses, non-governmental organizations, municipalities, and governmental agencies came together to form and successfully support the LSFHA.
Fundraising prior to and after organization, resulted in enough funds received to build ~800 Shelbyville and Georgia cube fish attractors, and an additional 100+ artificial stumps, which have all been placed in the lake through 2019. So far the cubes have been paying off very well, with numerous reports of good catches coming from the cubes. Large numbers of fish are congregating on the structures in as little as two days after deployment, including bass and walleye caught by anglers! Research results indicate good fish use on these structures.
The LSFHA successfully applied for grants through the “Friends of Reservoirs” and receives $30,000, plus an additional $17,000, in winter in 2018. An additional $40,000 FOR grant was won in fall 2019 and will be distributed to the LSFHA in fall/winter 2020! In addition to the cube and stump attractors, an aquatic plant nursery was developed by the USACE, and 1000s of plants produced and planted into Lake Shelbyville in 2017- 2019. These plantings are protected by wire-mesh “exclosures” which can be found in each of the major arms of the lake. Rip-rap is being ordered to develop some rock “reefs” for the near future. The LSFHA “adopt-a-cube” program has been very popular, with over $5,000 donated to name cubes after loved-ones and businesses. Results and activities can be followed on our Facebook page; Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance. Check us out and give us a “LIKE!” Watch for future structure building events this coming year, as several are planned! Maps of habitat locations can be found on the Facebook page or the USACE web site by using “Lake Shelbyville Habitat Maps”.
Contact Information: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 217-774-3951IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Jim Garavaglia217-345-2420
There were 74 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.
Species | Total Fish Caught |
Crappie | 1398 |
Largemouth Bass | 3244 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
1 7.41 lbs | 2 6.34 lbs | 3 6.09 lbs | 4 6.06 lbs | 5 6.00 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
1 | 821.19 lbs |
2 | 728.25 lbs |
3 | 396.64 lbs |
4 | 339.40 lbs |
5 | 303.97 lbs |
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.
2023 – 2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
April-06 | 25886 | Approved | Forrest "Bo" Wood Rec. Area | boathook | 25 | Crappie | No | Yes |
April-20 | 26074 | Approved | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
April-21 | 25898 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
April-27 | 26106 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 100 | Crappie | No | No |
April-28 | 25338 | Approved | Forrest "Bo" Wood Rec. Area | boathook | 45 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-04 | 25090 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-04 | 25158 | Pending | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
May-05 | 25092 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 45 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-05 | 25211 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
May-11 | 25167 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 25 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
May-11 | 25639 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 15 | Crappie | No | No |
May-18 | 25330 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 110 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-18 | 25719 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Crappie | No | Yes |
May-18*May-19 | 26086 | Approved | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
May-19 | 25077 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 80 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
May-19 | 25901 | Approved | Opossum Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-19 | 26166 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Crappie | No | Yes |
June-01 | 26109 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-02 | 25902 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-08 | 25189 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 25 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-08 | 25217 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-08*June-09 | 25373 | Approved | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-09 | 25360 | Approved | Forrest "Bo" Wood Rec. Area | boathook | 45 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-09 | 26016 | Approved | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 17 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-15 | 26154 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-23 | 25122 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-29*June-30 | 26200 | Pending | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-06 | 25176 | Approved | Eagle Creek State Park | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-14 | 25903 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-21 | 25174 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-27 | 25206 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 25 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-27 | 25520 | Approved | Opossum Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-28 | 25178 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 45 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-03 | 25351 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 110 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-04 | 25207 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-04 | 26017 | Approved | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 17 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-10 | 25222 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 25 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-10 | 25597 | Approved | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-11 | 25904 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-17 | 26110 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-18 | 25249 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 80 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
August-24 | 25227 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 25 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-24 | 25521 | Approved | Opossum Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-01 | 25233 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
September-15 | 25421 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 45 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
September-21*September-22 | 25434 | Approved | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-22 | 25244 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 45 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
September-28 | 25596 | Approved | Opossum Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-29 | 25087 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 150 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-29 | 25905 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
September-29 | 26161 | Approved | Wilborn Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 15 | Crappie | No | No |
October-04 | 25796 | Approved | Dam West Rec. Area | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-05 | 25720 | Approved | Whitley Creek Rec. Area | boathook | 20 | Crappie | No | Yes |
October-26*October-27 | 26019 | Approved | Wolf Creek State Park | boathook | 17 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |