Many campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS™) accepts reservations for individual sites at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground. NRRSTM is a nationwide reservation system for the Corps and the Forest Service. Reservations may be made in one of three ways:

   1. by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777,
   2. by going to http://www.Recreation.gov on the Internet, or
   3. in person at campground fee booths.

For more information on camping go to the Corps of Engineers site.

Cardinal Campground - 217-774-5064
1 mile east of Lithia Springs. Available are fifteen permanent site. All water and electric. Tent camping, fishing, sand volleyball, bait, horseshoes and showers. Cost: $8-$12.

The record bass weighed in at 4lbs. 2oz. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains sizeable populations in 16 ponds that it manages in conjunction with the local Department of Natural Resources. Visitors can fish in more than 11,000 acres of clear water where catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, walleye, muskie, white bass and bluegill are in abundance.

The new Lake record Catfish was caught in 2002 by Shelbyville resident, Chris Rentfro. The catfish was 62 lbs. 10oz. and was 48 inches long! Lake Shelbyville offers some of the best largemouth bass fishing in the Midwest. Novice and avid fisherman alike will find plenty to catch, even with the 14-inch minimum length limit.

A new Lake record large mouth Bass was caught by Gene Compton from Mattoon. The Bass weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz. and was caught during the Illini Team fishing tournament. Fishermen appreciate the fact that the average-size keeper is more than two pounds. Tournament anglers generally need to catch between 16 and 17 pounds to win the average one-day event!

Fishing reports on Lake Shelbyville regularly include mention of active muskies feeding in the backs of coves or of muskie caught by accident off deep-water points especially in the prime months of April, May, October, and November.

Since a number of Muskie were caught over the 36-inch limit, the new size limit is now 48 inches. A decade down the road if these fish are caught and released properly we will have 40 to 50 pound muskies in Lake Shelbyville. The longest Muskie caught in Lake Shelbyville, on November 5, 2003 by Kelly Himes of Mattoon, was 53 inches long.

Another Mattoon man, Matt Carmean, landed the newest Illinois State Record for Muskie. The new record was caught on April 20th, 2002, weighing 38 pounds, 8 ounces and 50 3/4 inches long! Lake Shelbyville promises, in the future, to be a leader in the Muskie world.

These trails, which are listed on the National Recreation Trails Register, were built by the Youth Conservation Corps.

Both trails offer picturesque views of the lake and outdoor ampitheathers. Both trails pass by small ponds which are not only photogenic but are excellent fishing sites as well.

A restored prairie is located at the trail entrance. Among the plants reintroduced in this area are Big Bluestem, Switchgrass, Indian Grass, Smooth Aster, Black-eyed Susan ad Purple Coneflower.