Waterbody · Illinois
Lake Shelbyville Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake Shelbyville fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are crappie, bass, walleye. 80 current rules across 12 species from DNR.
Species pages for Lake Shelbyville
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (80)
DNR regulates 80 rules across 12 species at this water.
Walleye
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge-Crab Orchard Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Mississippi River
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 27"
Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches
Mississippi River (Between Il & Ia)
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 27"
Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches
Rock River
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 27"
Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches
Salt Creek Downstream To The Route 10 Bridge
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Illinois statewide
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
either singly or in the aggregate with Sauger or their Hybrid (Saugeye), Except In Those Waters Listed Under Site Specific Regulations. All Walleye, Sauger, Or Their Hybrid (Saugeye) Taken Must Be 14˝ In Total Length Or Longer, Except In The Mississippi River, Wabash River, Or As Specified Under Site Specific Regulations.
Smallmouth Bass
Apple RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Catch and Release Fishing Only (9)
Calumet RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Jun 15
All Smallmouth Bass Must Be Immediately Released Between April 1 And June 15
Fox Chain O’lakesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All Fish must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15
Fox RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Max size
- 12"
All Smallmouth Bass must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15 no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and 2 Fish less than 12 inches
In Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
Contain No More Than 3 Smallmouth Bass. In Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide, Except For The Mississippi, Ohio (Including The Golconda Marina), Wabash And Illinois Rivers, Calumet River, Lake Calumet Connecting Channel, Calumet Sag Channel
Kane County Forest Preserve District Lakes And PondsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Catch and Release Fishing Only (9)
Kankakee River
- Slot min
- 12"
- Slot max
- 18"
Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 18 inches
Kishwaukee River And South Branch Of Kishwaukee River And Tributaries
- Min size
- 14"
Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide, Except For The Mississippi, Ohio (Including The Golconda Marina), Wabash And Illinois Rivers, Calumet River, Lake Calumet Connecting Channel, Calumet Sag Channel And Navigable Portions Of The Grand Calumet River And Little Calumet RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All Smallmouth Bass Must Be Immediately Released Between April 1 And June 15.
Illinois statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Jun 16
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
No Statewide Size Limit. In Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide, Except For The Mississippi, Ohio (Including The Golconda Marina), Wabash And Illinois Rivers, Calumet River, Lake Calumet Connecting Channel, Calumet Sag Channel And Navigable Portions Of The Grand Calumet River And Little Calumet River, all Smallmouth Bass must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15. In Rivers And Streams And Their Tributaries Statewide, Except For The Mississippi, Ohio (Including Golconda Marina), And Wabash Rivers.
Largemouth Bass
Kane County Forest Preserve District Lakes And Ponds
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 18"
with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and 3 Fish less than 14 inches Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 14 inches and less than 18 inches
Mason Recreational Use Restrictions Lake
- Min size
- 12"
Largemouth Bass 12 inch Minimum Length Limit
Illinois statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
No Statewide Size Limit. either singly or in the aggregate with Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass, except as specified under site specific regulations
Striped Bass
Kaskaskia River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 32"
Striped Bass 32 inch Minimum Length Limit; 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit Striped Bass 32 inch Minimum Length Limit
Mississippi River Between Illinois And Iowa
- Daily bag
- 25 fish
25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit On Striped Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass And Their Hybrids, Either Singly Or In The Aggregate
Fish (All Species)
Lake Shelbyville Project Ponds
- Gear
- Angling Only
2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
Lake Shelbyville
- Gear
- No Live Bait
All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4)
Large Or Smallmouth Bass
Channel Catfish
Lake Shelbyville
- Daily bag
- 6 fish
Channel Catfish 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Or Hybrid Crappie White Black
Lake Shelbyville
- Daily bag
- 15 fish/day
with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches and 5 Fish less than 10 inches
Lake Shelbyville Project Ponds
- Daily bag
- 15 fish/day
with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches and 5 Fish less than 10 inches
All Species
Lake ShelbyvilleClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
During the regular waterfowl season, no bank or boat fishing shall be permitted on the Kaskaskia River from the Strickland Boat Access north to the Illinois Central Railroad Bridge from one half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.
Pure Muskellunge
Black Crappie
Illinois statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No Harvest Or Size Limits Except In Those Waters Listed Under Site Specific Regulations.
White Crappie
Illinois statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No Harvest Or Size Limits Except In Those Waters Listed Under Site Specific Regulations.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Lake Shelbyville?
DNR regulates fishing on Lake Shelbyville.
What species can I target on Lake Shelbyville?
Lake Shelbyville is best known for crappie, bass, walleye. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize DNR's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.