Hunting

Approximately 12,000 of the 23,000 land acres at Lake Shelbyville are forested. Oak and hickory are the dominant species. The remaining land acres are open or brush covered. Game species available for hunting include dove, quail, rabbit, pheasant, whitetail deer, grey and fox squirrel, wild turkey, fox, coyote, raccoon, woodcock, and waterfowl.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources manages the Shelbyville Wildlife Area, located in two units, the Kaskaskia Unit and the West Okaw Unit. Both are located in the northern ends of the lake.

2010 Lake Shelbyville Spring Gobbler Season Results

2010 - 2011 Lake Shelbyville White-tailed Deer Checkstation Results

Tree Stand Policy for Lake Shelbyville

A Seasonal Permit ($30.00) must be obtained at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Office at Lake Shelbyville just east of the Dam. Roving Treestand Permits can be obtained at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office, D&M Sporting Goods in Sullivan, IL on Route 32 just south of Sullivan, Buckstop Archery or Kidd's Archery and Outdoor Supplies in Shelbyville http://kiddsarchery.com. Roving permits may also be obtained by mailing a signed copy of the permit to the Lake Shelbyville Project office at:
Lake Shelbyville Project Office
RR4 Box 128 B/Route 16 East
Shelbyville, IL 62565
Once the application is received, a permit and sticker(s) will be mailed back to the applicant.

Roving Treestand Application [Click Here]

Fishing

2011 Lake Shelbyville Fishing Prospect List

Lake Shelbyville Big Fish Program

Lake Shelbyville offers a multitude of fishing opportunities. Popular game species include catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass, and bluegill. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the local Department of Natural Resources District Fish Biologist, currently manage 16 farm ponds to maintain sizeable populations. The ponds range in size from less than an acre to 27 acres, most are easily accessible by foot.

Click here to access fish spawn data from recent years.

New Crappie Fishing Regulations

A new regulation has been approved on Lake Shelbyville for crappie and will take effect on April 1, 2008.  This regulation will be a little different than what anglers are used to seeing in mid-western states.  The new regulation will allow for the continued harvest of 10 crappie that are 10 inches or larger but will also allow the harvest of 5 crappie less than 10 inches.  The goal of this regulation is to thin the number of crappie under 10 inches slightly, giving them the slight nudge necessary to improve growth and recruitment to 10 inches and larger.

Click here to view entire new crappie fishing regulation page

Designated Dog Training Areas

Dog training will be restricted to 4 locations on Lake Shelbyville from April 1 – July 31, 2010. Lake Shelbyville provides important nesting habitat for many species of wildlife native to IL.  It is one of the largest contiguous blocks of habitat in Central Illinois and concern over disturbance to nesting wildlife was the driver behind the decision to restrict dog training to the timeframe outside of the nesting season.This first year will be a trial period for the regulation and will be reevaluated at the end of the season.  For further information on dog training at Lake Shelbyville contact the Lake Shelbyville Environmental Stewardship Department at (217) 774-2513

Click here to acess the dog training areas information page.

Special Hunting and Fishing Opportunities

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides special hunting and fishing opportunities to serve a greater segment of the outdoor community.

• A specially designed fishing pier is provided at Opossum Pond for persons with disabilities and children 12 years of age and younger.
• Organizes an Annual Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities in conjunction with Wolf Creek State Park.
• For members of the public without a boat, sixteen managed farm ponds are available.
• Controlled waterfowl hunting is available at Okaw Wetlands each year. A permit is required.

Deer Hunting Opportunity for People with Disabilities
at Lake Shelbyville

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is offering additional deer hunting opportunities at Whitley Creek Recreation Area for people with disabilities that have a state issued P2A card.  Hunters that are eligible due to their disability will be able to reserve a block of two blinds in the closed portion of the Whitley Creek Recreation Area during archery deer season. [More]

Available Hunting Dates, Stand Notes

Whitley Creek Disabled Deer Hunting Rules and Regulations

Whitley Creek Map

Lake Shelbyville Youth Deer Hunt Applications Are Available

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville will hold the 3rd Annual Youth Firearm Deer Hunt on October 8 and 9, 2011.  To apply for the hunt youth must be less than 16 years old on October 8, 2011, be accompanied by an adult on the hunt, and be a resident of Illinois.  The youth must also purchase a 2011 youth either sex deer permit, which can be purchased for $10.00 at any over-the-counter licensed vendor starting in September. 
Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on September 23, 2011.  Applications can be picked up at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or on-line at www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Shelbyville/wildlife.htm. 
On September 26, 2011, a total of ten participants will be drawn from the pool of applicants.  All applicants will be notified by mail to let them know if their name was drawn to participate in the hunt.  Each of the ten participants will hunt in select locations in either Shelby or Moultrie County and will enjoy a deer camp atmosphere at the Okaw Bluff Group Camp on October 8 and 9, 2011.  For further information contact Park Ranger Brock Key at (217) 774-2513 ext 7008.

2011 Youth Deer Hut Application

Watchable Wildlife

If you prefer to take in the beauty of the wildlife at Lake Shelbyville without hunting, opportunities are available. If deer watching interests you, Wolf Creek is renown for an abundance of the beautiful creatures. Eastern wild turkey was reintroduced in 1987 and may be seen in the Wolf Creek area. Bird watchers will find songbirds from mid-August through mid-October in the sunflower fields. The Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge treats watchers to sightings of Canada goose and various waterfowl from mid-October through mid-March. The Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex, located south of Sullivan, covers 100 acres and offers year round opportunities. Nine photo blinds, an accessible viewing stand, three shallow wetland units, and a one mile nature trail are all located within the unit. Each spring, wildlife enthusiasts are treated to a watchable wildlife tour to top viewing areas around the lake. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Permit and Regulations Page