Lake Shelbyville

Lake Shelbyville

Size
10,257ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
No
Species in Lake Shelbyville
Walleye
Walleye
Sauger
Sauger
Crappie
Crappie
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
White bass
White bass
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Bluegill
Bluegill
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Spotted bass
Spotted bass

Overview

Crappie are the main attraction on this big Corps of Engineers impoundment. Walleye are a seasonal factor. Excellent facilities for camping, access and shore fishing. 11,000 acres

Lake Shelbyville Map

Features

Shelbyville is one of the state's premier fishing resources and is recognized for its largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, muskie and walleye opportunities. --Anglers should be aware of special length limits for walleye, largemouth bass, muskie and crappie. Consult visitor centers for the special creel restrictions, which are also posted at most public access sites.--Boaters should watch for buoys placed near beaches, bridges, marinas and in some coves. The buoys indicate no boats, no wakes or other navigation information. In addition, green and red navigation buoys have been placed from the Highway 32 bridge to the "Bo" Wood Access to aid deep-draft sailboats. Large, 2-foot-square navigation daymark numbers are strategically placed throughout the lake.

Forage

Gizzard shad compose the majority of the forage base, but quickly outgrow the preferred size range of most gamefish. Threadfin shad have been introduced because they are smaller, reaching only about 4 inches in length. However, they are vulnerable to nearly total winterkill. Other forage includes bullhead minnow, brook silverside, red and redfin shiner, young-of-the-year panfish and roughfish, the larvae of mayflies and midges.--Small freshwater drum are second only to shad in the walleye diet, while crayfish become more prevalent in low water years. The Corps of Engineers program to create riprap should enhance crayfish populations.

Seasonal Movements

Walleye and white bass make spring spawning runs up the Kaskaskia River, and have been documented 25 miles north to the Highway 36 bridge. It is believed a white bass run occurs up the West Okaw River, but the extent of the movement has not been studied.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Channel catfish
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Crappie
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202415
Flathead catfish
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Largemouth bass
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202220
201921
Muskellunge
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Mar
2024
Sep
Sauger
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Smallmouth bass
fish
9-10 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Sep
2022
Sep
Spotted bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Striped Bass
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Sep
Walleye
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Mar
2024
Sep
White bass
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep