Top 6 Fishing Locations at Lake Shelbyville

Lake Shelbyville, situated in the heart of Illinois, is a haven for fishing enthusiasts. Spanning over 11,000 acres, this lake is renowned for its diverse fish population, including largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, muskie, and walleye. The lake’s clear waters and abundant underwater structures make it an ideal spot for fishing throughout the year.

In addition to its fishing opportunities, Lake Shelbyville offers excellent facilities for camping, boating, and other recreational activities, making it a perfect destination for a fishing trip.

Lake Shelbyville is on our list of the best Illinois fishing spots for muskie. In this article, we will provide valuable tips for successful fishing and enjoying nature. Also, we have given you recommendations for the best routes to reach the lake from the surrounding cities

6. Wolf Creek

• Address: Wolf Creek State Park, 1837 N Wolf Creek Rd, Windsor, IL 61957
• Characteristics: Wolf Creek is known for its productive crappie fishing, with plenty of underwater structures like submerged trees and rocky outcrops. It is a calm area suitable for fishing from a boat or shore. Wolf Creek is located on the eastern side of Lake Shelbyville.
• Crappies bite the most

Directions:

• From Springfield, IL: Take I-72 E to Decatur. From Decatur, follow IL-121 S to Sullivan. Continue on IL-32 S to Windsor, and then follow signs to Wolf Creek State Park. Approximately 70 miles.
• From St. Louis, MO: Take I-70 E to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Windsor, and follow signs to Wolf Creek State Park. Approximately 135 miles.
• From Indianapolis, IN: Take I-70 W to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Windsor, and follow signs to Wolf Creek State Park. Approximately 130 miles.
• From Louisville, KY: Take I-64 W to Mt. Vernon, then follow I-57 N to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Windsor, and follow signs to Wolf Creek State Park. Approximately 220 miles.

Well-maintained restrooms. The woodsy atmosphere, and great place for fishing with the beach. $20 a night tent camping with electric hook up. Golfing is available on a nice course. Marinas on Lake.

There were approximately 250+ campsites to choose from. In the area and on Lake Shelbyville between state and federal campgrounds are over 1500 sites available. Pretty clean for a campground.

5. Wilborn Creek

• Address: Wilborn Creek Recreation Area, 2401 Wilborn Creek Rd, Sullivan, IL 61951
• Characteristics: Wilborn Creek is popular among bass anglers due to its submerged trees and flats. It is also an excellent spot for catfish fishing, especially near the deeper channels. Wilborn Creek is located in the northwestern part of Lake Shelbyville.
• Largemouth bass are the primary catch

Directions:

• From Springfield, IL: Take I-72 E to Decatur. From Decatur, follow IL-121 S to Sullivan, then take Wilborn Creek Rd to the recreation area. Approximately 65 miles.
• From St. Louis, MO: Take I-70 E to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Sullivan, then take Wilborn Creek Rd to the recreation area. Approximately 130 miles.
• From Indianapolis, IN: Take I-70 W to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Sullivan, then take Wilborn Creek Rd to the recreation area. Approximately 125 miles.
• From Louisville, KY: Take I-64 W to Mt. Vernon, then follow I-57 N to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Sullivan, then take Wilborn Creek Rd to the recreation area. Approximately 215 miles.

Wilborn Creek Group Camp sits on the northern shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois. The lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, swimming, picnicking and simply relaxing.

4. Lithia Springs

• Address: Lithia Springs Marina, 20784 County Hwy 11, Shelbyville, IL 62565
• Characteristics: Lithia Springs is known for excellent walleye fishing, especially during the spring and fall. The shallow waters and rocky bottoms provide an ideal habitat for walleye. Lithia Springs is located on the southern side of Lake Shelbyville.
• Walleye are the most commonly caught fish here

Directions:

• From Springfield, IL: Take I-72 E to Decatur. From Decatur, follow IL-121 S to Sullivan, then continue on IL-32 S to Shelbyville. Follow signs to Lithia Springs Marina. Approximately 75 miles.
• From St. Louis, MO: Take I-70 E to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Shelbyville, then follow signs to Lithia Springs Marina. Approximately 125 miles.
• From Indianapolis, IN: Take I-70 W to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Shelbyville, then follow signs to Lithia Springs Marina. Approximately 120 miles.
• From Louisville, KY: Take I-64 W to Mt. Vernon, then follow I-57 N to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Shelbyville, then follow signs to Lithia Springs Marina. Approximately 210 miles.

Nicely maintained campground! Fishing, boating, and swimming are some of the activities available. Some sites are paved and others are gravel. Full hookup to just electric sites.

Some sites are reservable while others are first-come, first-served. Definitely will camp here again.

NOTE: The only complaint is their reservation system, which you WILL need to book months in advance.

3. Shelbyville Dam

• Address: Shelbyville Dam East Recreation Area, 1989 IL-16, Shelbyville, IL 62565
• Characteristics: The dam area is a prime location for white bass and hybrid striped bass. The fast-moving waters around the dam attract these species, making it an exciting fishing spot. The Shelbyville Dam is located on the southern end of Lake Shelbyville.
• White bass are the main catch

Directions:

• From Springfield, IL: Take I-72 E to Decatur. From Decatur, follow IL-121 S to Sullivan, then take IL-32 S to Shelbyville. Follow signs to Shelbyville Dam. Approximately 75 miles.
• From St. Louis, MO: Take I-70 E to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Shelbyville, then follow signs to Shelbyville Dam. Approximately 125 miles.
• From Indianapolis, IN: Take I-70 W to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Shelbyville, then follow signs to Shelbyville Dam. Approximately 120 miles.
• From Louisville, KY: Take I-64 W to Mt. Vernon, then follow I-57 N to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Shelbyville, then follow signs to Shelbyville Dam. Approximately 210 miles.

A nice fishing place for walleye. The beaches and Resorts around the whole Lake are Awesome as well!

2. Coon Creek

• Address: Coon Creek Recreation Area, Shelbyville, IL 62565
• Characteristics: Coon Creek offers diverse fishing opportunities with species like bluegill, crappie, and largemouth bass. The calm waters and abundant cover make it an ideal spot for anglers of all skill levels. Coon Creek is located in the northeastern part of Lake Shelbyville.
• Bluegill is the most frequent catch

Directions:

• From Springfield, IL: Take I-72 E to Decatur. From Decatur, follow IL-121 S to Sullivan, then continue on IL-32 S to Shelbyville. Follow signs to Coon Creek Recreation Area. Approximately 75 miles.
• From St. Louis, MO: Take I-70 E to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Shelbyville, then follow signs to Coon Creek Recreation Area. Approximately 125 miles.
• From Indianapolis, IN: Take I-70 W to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Shelbyville, then follow signs to Coon Creek Recreation Area. Approximately 120 miles.
• From Louisville, KY: Take I-64 W to Mt. Vernon, then follow I-57 N to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Shelbyville, then follow signs to Coon Creek Recreation Area. Approximately 210 miles.

Illinois’ Coon Creek COE Park sits on the west shore of Lake Shelbyville. Simply a beautiful park, with wonderful pull-thru’s, and great facilities. Very quiet and has plenty of shade. Great campsites, wonderful rangers, and very helpful.

NOTE: Be aware of turn arounds in the campgrounds, they are very tight for pulling trailers more than 25 ft. Also, it can be very crowd on the weekends. 

1. Eagle Creek

• Address: Eagle Creek State Park, 2341 Eagle Creek Rd, Findlay, IL 62534
• Characteristics: Eagle Creek is known for its muskie population, offering anglers a chance to catch these trophy-sized fish. The deep waters and diverse underwater structures make it a challenging but rewarding fishing spot. Eagle Creek is located on the western side of Lake Shelbyville.
• Muskies are the top catch 

Directions:

• From Springfield, IL: Take I-72 E to Decatur. From Decatur, follow IL-121 S to Sullivan, then take IL-32 S to Findlay. Follow signs to Eagle Creek State Park. Approximately 70 miles.
• From St. Louis, MO: Take I-70 E to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Findlay, then follow signs to Eagle Creek State Park. Approximately 130 miles.
• From Indianapolis, IN: Take I-70 W to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Findlay, then follow signs to Eagle Creek State Park. Approximately 125 miles.
• From Louisville, KY: Take I-64 W to Mt. Vernon, then follow I-57 N to Effingham. From Effingham, take IL-32 N to Findlay, then follow signs to Eagle Creek State Park. Approximately 215 miles.

It’s a very nice campground with plenty of wildlife to see. There are deer, lots of birds, coons, turkeys, and foxes and keep your eye out for an eagle now and then. Park has a nice 5-mile loop of trails with some decent views of the lake, however, if you want more, Wolf Creek across the lake has more than 30 miles of trails.

Lake Shelbyville Fishing Tips

Fishing at Lake Shelbyville can be highly rewarding, but it requires some knowledge and preparation. Here are some tips to enhance your fishing experience:

1. Research the Lake: Familiarize yourself with the lake’s structure, depths, and underwater features. This knowledge will help you identify the best fishing spots.
2. Use the Right Bait: Different fish species have different bait preferences. Experiment with live bait, lures, and artificial baits to find what works best for your target species.
3. Master Your Techniques: Spend time honing your fishing techniques, such as jigging, casting, and trolling. The more skilled you become, the better your chances of success.
4. Be Patient: Fishing requires patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t catch something immediately. Stay focused, adapt your strategy if needed, and enjoy the surroundings.
5. Explore Different Times of Day: Fish behavior varies with the time of day
6. Pay Attention to Weather Patterns: Weather can significantly impact fish activity. Plan your fishing trips according to the forecast, as some species may be more active before a storm or on calm, sunny days.

Fishing Licenses and Regulations

Before heading out to Lake Shelbyville, ensure you have the proper licenses and permits. An Illinois fishing license is required, which can be obtained online or from authorized vendors. It is important to familiarize yourself with the size and creel limits for the different species you are targeting.

These regulations are in place to protect the fish population and ensure sustainable fishing practices. Stay informed about any special regulations or restrictions specific to Lake Shelbyville, such as seasonal closures or catch-and-release requirements.

Local Resources and Facilities

Lake Shelbyville is well-equipped with facilities to support your fishing trip. Several marinas and bait shops around the lake offer fishing supplies, live bait, and boat rentals.

Popular spots include Craig’s Sporting Goods in Shelbyville and Lithia Springs Marina. These local resources can provide valuable insights into current fishing conditions and tips on where the fish are biting.

Conclusion

Lake Shelbyville shows promise for rewarding fishing. Its extensive 11,000-acre area and diverse fish populations encourage exploration along shorelines and deeper zones. Techniques like identifying structures and preferred baits for each species can increase catch success.

Anglers should also appreciate the relaxing atmosphere and health benefits, not just quantity. Following regulations helps ensure the sustainability of Shelbyville’s fishing legacy. The area’s facilities, vendors, and knowledgeable locals support recreation building community and nature connections. For years, Shelbyville will provide quality time on the water for residents and visitors alike.