Lake Shelbyville, IL
Lake Shelbyville is a US Army Corps of Engineers facility, built as part of a general comprehensive plan for the development of the Kaskaskia Basin for flood control, recreation, water supply, and fish and wildlife conservation. Combine the natural beauty of the area with the numerous outdoor recreational opportunities and Lake Shelbyville becomes an ideal vacation spot for people of all ages.
At normal pool, Lake Shelbyville averages 16 feet in depth, with a maximum depth of 67 feet. Islands, coves, peninsulas and inlets create 250 miles of picturesque, wooded shoreline. It extends nearly 17 miles from the dam at Shelbyville to its limits above Sullivan and Bethany. Development of the shoreline has been intentionally kept to a minimum, allowing uninterrupted views of the lake's natural features throughout its length. Large tracts of carefully maintained indigenous woodlands ideal for camping at over 1500 campsites, horseback riding, snowmobiling, boat fishing, water skiing, pontoon boating, windsurfing or just plain bobbing and drifting on the glittering expanse of the lake itself.
In addition to visiting the small, friendly wooded campgrounds or taking part in the action on the lake, swimming is available from the beach. You can also take a leisurely stroll through nearby forests. An abundance of deer, pheasant, rabbits, wild turkey and songbirds are almost always visible.
At normal pool, Lake Shelbyville averages 16 feet in depth, with a maximum depth of 67 feet. Islands, coves, peninsulas and inlets create 250 miles of picturesque, wooded shoreline. It extends nearly 17 miles from the dam at Shelbyville to its limits above Sullivan and Bethany. Development of the shoreline has been intentionally kept to a minimum, allowing uninterrupted views of the lake's natural features throughout its length. Large tracts of carefully maintained indigenous woodlands ideal for camping at over 1500 campsites, horseback riding, snowmobiling, boat fishing, water skiing, pontoon boating, windsurfing or just plain bobbing and drifting on the glittering expanse of the lake itself.
In addition to visiting the small, friendly wooded campgrounds or taking part in the action on the lake, swimming is available from the beach. You can also take a leisurely stroll through nearby forests. An abundance of deer, pheasant, rabbits, wild turkey and songbirds are almost always visible.
Lake Shelbyville Fishingmore
Lake Shelbyville Fishing
The miles of flood brush, timber and rock rip-rap shorelines, the many points with submerged ridges, and the hundreds of tributary streams emptying into Lake Shelbyville provide prime and productive fishing areas. The lake is teeming with black and white crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, channel an... continue
Lake Shelbyville Huntingmore
Lake Shelbyville Hunting Areas
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, ... continue
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, ... continue
Lake Shelbyville Campingmore
Lake Shelbyville Campgrounds
Visitors to Lake Shelbyville can expect to find a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. If your favorite pursuit is camping, you can choose from close to 1500 campsites in areas operated by the Corps, the State of Illinois, and Sullivan Marina and Campground.
U.S. Army Cor... continue
Lake Shelbyville Trailsmore
Lake Shelbyville Trails
The Kaskaskia and West Okaw units offer developed nature trails that highlight the habitats found there. These trails provide visitors an opportunity to leisurely wander through natural settings that present different plant and animal communities at every turn. Whether a spring walk to look at wildf... continue
Lake Shelbyville Wildlife Viewingmore
Lake Shelbyville Wildlife Viewing
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.... continue
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.... continue
Lake Area Attractions
Upcoming Lake Area Events
Shelbyville
- July 21st - Illinois Old-Time Fiddlers Jam Session
- August 18th - Illinois Old-Time Fiddlers Jam Session