St. Louis District News Releases

Applications open for 36th annual Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for Disabled Hunters and Wounded Warriors

Press Operations — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:27:45 GMT

The 36th Annual Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Wolf Creek State Park will be held Nov.20 through Nov. 22, 2026. Applications are available at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office, online at http://tinyurl.com/LakeShelbyville-Hunting, or by mail by contacting the Environmental Stewardship Department at 217-774-3951, ext. 7049.

Forrest W. “Bo” Wood Area Temporarily Closed

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The Bo Wood Recreation Area will be closed February 17 through February 20. This closure includes the entire area, including the entrance road, dog park, and boat ramp. Access will not be permitted for either vehicle or pedestrian traffic during this time.

Temporary Recreation Area Closings at Lake Shelbyville To Conduct Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities

Press Operations — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:25:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Wolf Creek State Park will hold the 35th Annual Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities during the first firearm deer season on November 21-23, 2025. The hunt will be conducted in portions of recreation areas at Lake Shelbyville that are closed for the season.

Lake Shelbyville 4th of July Fireworks Parking and Holiday Festivities

Press Operations — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 19:52:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is gearing up for the 4th of July at Lake Shelbyville. Fireworks will be launched on July 4th at dusk from Ramp Point, located in Dam West Recreation Area. Lake Shelbyville has compiled a list of locations best suited for viewing the fireworks. Locations include Dam West Recreation Area, Dam East Recreation Area, Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center, portions of the road across the Dam, and Dam West Overlook. At 8 P.M., the Dam Road will be closed to traffic for the fireworks from the 9th street intersection to Dam East.

Community Cove Welcomes New Kayak Launch and Pollinator Field

Press Operations — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:32:00 GMT

The area of public lands designated as Dam West High Water Boat Ramp, commonly referred to as “Community Cove”, recently acquired a new kayak launch and pollinator plots through various partnerships and grants. The “Community Cove” area includes the Dam West High Water Boat Ramp as well as public lands directly encompassing the boat ramp. This area extends West to Forest Park, South to the 9th Street and Dam Road intersections, and East to the Dam West Recreation Area.

Temporary Recreation Area Closings To Conduct Dredging Activities at Lake Shelbyville

Press Operations — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 16:27:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville will be performing dredging work on the North end of the lake in 2025. Work will include dredging of the Kaskaskia river channel, starting at the Whitley Creek boat ramp and heading towards the Illinois Highway 32 bridge, located south of Sullivan, IL.

LAKE SHELBYVILLE BOUNDARY MAINTENANCE

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:57:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently performing annual routine maintenance to the Government’s boundary line around Lake Shelbyville.

Summer Employment Available at Lake Shelbyville

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is looking for qualified candidates to fill student vacancies for the 2025 summer recreation season. Lake Shelbyville offers a great work experience opportunity for those students who plan to make a career in biological sciences, outdoor recreation, or law enforcement.

Lake Shelbyville Youth Deer Hunt Applications Available

Press Operations — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:27:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville will hold the 12th Annual Youth Firearm Deer Hunt on October 12 and 13, 2024. To apply for the hunt, youth applicants must be less than 18 years old on October 12, 2024 and be accompanied by an adult. Applications must be received by 8:00 a.m. on September 23, 2024.

Coalshaft South Temporary Closure

Press Operations — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:18:00 GMT

The Coalshaft South parking lot and boat ramp at Lake Shelbyville will be closed starting the evening of Monday, September 2, 2024, through approximately 5p.m. Thursday, September 5, 2024, for a fish habitat placement project. The closures apply to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. These closures are necessary to provide safety for workers and members of the public while work is being conducted.

Lake Shelbyville Tree Stand Permits Now Available for the 2024-2025 Deer Season

Press Operations — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 19:05:00 GMT

Lake Shelbyville‘s Tree Stand Policy for this year will remain the same as it was last season. The policy allows hunters to leave one stand up for the season (“Seasonal Tree Stand”) and/or utilize up to two “Roving” stands that can be left up during archery season for a period not to exceed a break in use greater than 72 hours – the length of a 3 day weekend. Seasonal tree stands may be placed 2 weeks prior to archery season and must be removed within 2 weeks of archery season ending. Archery season runs from October 1, 2024 - January 19, 2025.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Auction off Impounded Deer Stands

Press Operations — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:21:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a silent auction for impounded deer stands and climbing sticks on Saturday, August 24th from 8:30 –11:00 a.m. at the government vehicle compound south of the Lake Shelbyville Administration Building. Approximately 80 climbing sticks and tree stands to include climbing stands, single and buddy ladder stands, portable lock-ons and climbing sticks will be auctioned.

Smokey Bear’s Ranger Hat

Press Operations — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 19:40:00 GMT

80 years is a tremendous milestone—for anyone. To make it to 80 means you have overcome life’s greatest challenges and you truly become the elder, the sage, the one who knows a thing or two and should be listened to. Being the spokes-bear, if you will, of the longest running and most successful advertising campaign in American history, at 80 years old, I think Smokey Bear would agree, so does Lake Shelbyville.

Enjoy Your Holiday, Play It Safe and Return Home Alive

Press Operations — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 21:25:00 GMT

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death, yet the number of deaths by drowning could be reduced drastically if everyone would wear a life jacket. Statistics show that 89 percent of those who drown at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes and rivers may have survived if they had worn a life jacket. Here are some safety tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday.

Parking for Lake Shelbyville 4th of July Fireworks

Press Operations — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 21:13:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is gearing up for the 4th of July at Lake Shelbyville. Fireworks will be launched at dusk from Ramp Point, located in Dam West Recreation Area. Lake Shelbyville has compiled a list of locations best suited for viewing the fireworks.

Road Across Lake Shelbyville Dam Closed Due to Maintenance

Press Operations — Thu, 16 May 2024 17:29:00 GMT

The road across the main dam at Lake Shelbyville will be closed starting 7:00AM Monday, May 20th thru 12:00PM on Friday, May 24th and again Tuesday, May 28th thru Friday, May 31st. The road should open each day at 5:00PM.

Loop Lake Shelbyville Bike Ride

Press Operations — Mon, 13 May 2024 16:32:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Friends of Lake Shelbyville are excited to be hosting the Loop Lake Shelbyville bike ride on Saturday, June 8th, 2024. All rides will start from the Lake Shelbyville Visitor and will include options for a 30 mile, 48 mile or a 65 mile ride. Proceeds for the ride will benefit the Friends of Lake Shelbyville (FOLS). The FOLS provides education, historical interpretation, recreational and environmental improvements at Lake Shelbyville.

Lake Shelbyville Kids Fishing Tournament

Press Operations — Mon, 13 May 2024 16:24:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville and Friends of Lake Shelbyville is hosting a free fishing tournament for children 12 and under on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Opossum Pond. The pond is located near the entrance to the Opossum Creek Recreation Area. Participants must pre-register by calling (217) 774-3951 ext. 2, or email lakeshelbyville@usace.army.mil. Information needed: name of participant, age of participant on event day, name of parent/guardian, and phone number for parent/guardian.

Lake Shelbyville Eco-Meet Results

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:39:00 GMT

Lake Shelbyville – The 46th Annual Lake Shelbyville Eco-Meet, coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was held at Camp Camfield Ecological Study Area on October 19th, 2023.

Providing Accessibility: General Dacey Trail Hay Ride For People with Mobility Restrictions

Press Operations — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 17:46:00 GMT

Join us on October 12th for the 2023 General Dacey Trail Hay Ride for People with Mobility Restrictions. This event features scenic hayride tours of the General Dacey Trail for all, young and old, who are physically unable to walk the trail on their own.