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  »Recreation

   
General Dacey Trail
 

Lake Shelbyville provides visitors an opportunity to experience over 50 miles of developed multi-purpose trails on public lands. The General Dacey Trail Concept Plan is a mult-partnered regional effort to expand recreational trail opportunities into a 170-mile trail network that will provide opportunities for bicycling, hiking, and other recreational trail uses, and provide off-road connectivity between local communities, public recreation areas and other interesting and scenic attractions in the region.

The General Dacey trail is a multipurpose trail that is designed for walkers, runners, and bicyclists. The trail is a great place for the whole family to spend time together enjoying nature. Besides exercise, the trail is a great place for bird watching, geocaching, and photography. The trail offers users a 15 station outdoor fitness area, located on the lower shelf by the Dam Overlook. The trail opened in 2006 and a total of eight phases completed. The trail starts at the Scout Cabin in Forest Park and will take you through woods, along the lake area, to the main visitors center, through Shelbyville & back to the park. The trail is handicap accessible.

General Dacey Mountain Bike Map. Click here.

Camp Camfield offers some of the best mountain biking with 6.5 miles of trail currently available with a designated bike route connection to the City of Sullivan. Click here for a map

In addition, Wolf Creek State Park provides the only Equestrian Trail on Lake Shelbyville with 15 miles of trail conveniently located adjacent to an equestrian campground. Other trails include the Illini Trail, Okaw Bluff, and Coon Creek Trail, (these trails are listed below under Hiking). Click here to visit the Dacey Trail website.

 
   
Findlay Marina
(217) 756-8595
 
Findlay Marina is located at the heart of Central Illinois' Lake Shelbyville, which features over 11,000 acres of water and 172 miles of shoreline. The lake is a perfect host for a great variety of activities. Findlay Marina is only five minutes away from the National at Eagle Creek Golf Course and 30 minutes away from Decatur, Mattoon, and I-57; Champaign and Springfield are only 1 hour away. Click here to visit the Findlay Marina website.
 
Lithia Springs Marina
(800) 447-4121, info@lithiamarina.com
 
Lithia Springs Marina is central IL's premier, full-service marina on Lake Shelbyville. Serving boaters, vacationers and lake enthusiasts, LSM offers seasonal slips, boat & motor sales, boat rentals (fishing, pontoon, houseboats & "Party Barge"), daily/nightly slips, gas docks, parts & service, pump-outs, the world's only floating Subway®, live bait, hot coffee, cold beer, edibles, sundries, apparel, safety gear, souvenirs and more! Check out our website www.lithiamarina.com to read customer reviews, view pricing details, check the fishing report, and make reservations. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest! See you on the Lake.
 
Sullivan Marina and Campground
(888) 728-7338
 
Located on a serene wooded hilltop that gently slopes into a full-service marina and restaurant situated on Lake Shelbyville, Sullivan Campground & Marina satisfies the needs of campers, boaters and fishing enthusiasts alike with a wide array of lakeside amenities. Click here to visit the Sullivan Marina website.
 
   
There are over 1,500 campsites in the Lake Shelbyville Area with over 500 class A campsites and 80 plus full hookup campsites. Campgrounds with their own beaches are Coon Creek, Lithia Springs, and Wolf Creek.
Federal Camping Facilities
 

There are over 1,000 campsites on Lake Shelbyville for your enjoyment Campsites at Bo Wood, Lithia Springs, Lone Point, and Opossum Creek campsites are 100% reservable and can be made up to 6 months in advance. Payments are by credit or debit card only; no cash transactions. Reservations must be made:

1. by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777
2. by going to www.Recreation.gov on the Internet
3. in person at campground fee booths (during season)
4. the R1S mobile app

Site specific reservations may be made at any Corps campground up to 6 months in advance of your camping trip, but not less than two days. User fees must be paid at the time the reservation is made.

 
State Campground Facilities
 

Reservations for State Parks: Eagle Creek, Wolf Creek and Hidden Springs State Forest must be done online at camp.exploremoreil.com Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at dnr.state.il.us. There are a limited number of spots for reservation and there are plenty of first come, first serve sites. Site availability cannot be guaranteed without reservations.

Wolf Creek
R.R. 1 Box 99
Windsor, IL 61957
217-459-2831
Eagle Creek
RR 1 Box 198B
Findlay, IL 62534
217-756-8260
Hidden Springs
Box 200, RFD 1
Strasburg, IL 62465
217-644-3091
 
Group Camps

Group camps at Lone Point and Wilborn Creek They can be reserved through NRRS™. Wilborn Creek can also be reserved by calling 217-774-3951, x 3 and must be made 14 days in advance up to one year. There are also group camps at Eagle Creek and Wolf Creek State Parks that are open year round.

The Okaw Group Camp contains two houses, which can accommodate a maximum of 34 people Reservations may be made by calling 217-774-3951, x3 beginning the first Monday in December for the next year. Walk-in Reservations may be made starting the first Tuesday after the first Monday in December, at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office. Okaw Bluff Group Camp (2 houses) March 31-November 26. $130 night/house + $30 admin fee. Meeting Room w/o kitchen $75 day.

Passes
A Golden Age/Golden Access passport may be still used for a 50% discount off the regular user fee, if every member in the group has the card. America the Beautiful passes are now available for $40; these are yearly passes and can be purchased at the COE Visitor Center.
2023 Opening & Closing Dates

There are over 1,000 campsites on Lake Shelbyville for your enjoyment All COE campsites are 100% reservable and can be made up to 6 months in advance. Payments are by credit or debit card only; no cash transactions. Reservations must be made at www.recreation.gov, the R1S mobile app, calling 1-877-444-6777, or visit a camground fee booth once they open.

Campground
Fees per Night
Open
Close
Bo Wood $18 - $24
Dbl capacity $36-$40
April 20 October 29
Lithia Springs $18 - $24 April 20 October 29
Coon Creek $18 - $24
Dbl capacity $36-$48
TBD October 9
Lone Point

$16 - $24
Dbl capacity $32

TBD

October 29

Lone Point Group Camp $240-10 hookups May 19 September 5
Opossum Creek
$16 - $24
Dbl capacity $36
May 18

September 5

Wilborn Creek (tent
only) 6 sites

$10    
Wilborn Creek Group Camp $24 April 15 October 24
*Extended camping season: weather permitting-limited sites, prices subject to change.
Okaw Bluff Group Camp (2 houses) $130/night/house+$30 admin fee
Wilborn Creek Group Camp is $240 night. 10 full hookups.
Payment at fee booths are credit or debit card ONLY
 
Private Camping Facilities

 

Arrowhead Campground • 217-756-8884
One-half mile east of Lone Point. Offers 149 sites, electric, city water, showers, bait, playground, fishing pond and recreation room. Sewer hook-up or dump station.

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.

Coon Creek RV Park & Resort • 217-756-3147
On Coon Creek Road at Lake Shelbyville. Permanent sites only. 1/2 mile from the lake.

La Caille RV Park • 217-756-8846
All amenities. Taking permanent camping reservations for Spring. 1/2 mile east of Lone Point, Findlay.

Kaskaskia River Camp • 217-774-4721
South of dam off Route 16. Tent camping. Limited electric and water. Canoe and boat rentals, bait and showers. On river bank.

Riverfront Campground • 217-774-4442
South of dam...follow signs off Route 16. 100+ sites, tent and RV. Two boat docks on Kaskaskia River. Permanent sites only.

Robin Hood Woods • 217-774-4222
2.5 miles east of dam of Route 16, mostly wooded. Sites with water, electric and sewer. In-ground outdoor pool, pond, horseshoes, 2 playgrounds, game room, tent sites and showers. One-room cottages with bath air, heat and two bedrooms.

 
   
Lake Shelbyville is renowned for great fishing. Lake Shelbyville was selected by Bassmaster Magazine as one of the best bass lakes in Illinois.
A rural Windsor man and Lake Shelbyville fishing guide, Bruce Sanders, caught and released the new Biggest Fish record white bass! 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 Biggest Fish 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 Chuck Ditto from Shelbyville. The Bass weighed 8 lbs. 55 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.

Fishing opportunities for Sportsmen
with Disabilities and Children

East Spillway Recreation Area has a specially designed ADA fishing pier, located on the East side of the Spillway, providing a unique opportunity for people with disabilities to fish the spillway area.
Woods Lake is located at the northeast end of the lake and has a New ADA Fishing Pier
Opossum Pond is located at the entrance to Opossum Creek Recreation Area, and offers a fishing pier for both children and people with disabilities. You do NOT have to be camping at Opossum Creek to use this pond.
Muskie Creel Survey Card. Click here to fill out and print to send in
License Prices
 
Resident $15 (Annual) Non-Resident $31.50 (Annual)
Non-Resident $15.50 (3 Days) Senior Resident $7.75 (Annual) 65 years and older
 


2021 Lake Shelbyville Fisheries Report


Lake Shelbyville Fishing Guide-This will take a little time to download

Illinois Fishing Information Booklet-This may take a little time to download

St. Louis District River and Reservoir Report

 

Day Use Fees $5 per private non-commercial vehicle for COE beaches and ramps
 
   

The Lake Shelbyville Area boasts numerous fine golfing opportunities within 30 minutes of the lake. Several of our local motels offer a variety of package plans for the traveling golf enthusiast. On site courses include Eagle Creek and Oak Terrace.

 
Championship Golf Courses
 
Course
Holes
Phone
Hickory Point 18 217-421-7444
Lakeshore Taylorville 18 217-824-5521
Meadowview 18 217-258-7888
Moweaqua Municipal 18 217-768-3411
Eagle Creek Golf Course 18 217-756-5550
Oak Terrace 18 217-539-4477
Pleasant Grove 9 217-348-1611
Red Tail Run 18 217-422-2211
Sullivan Country Club 9 217-728-4406
St. Elmo 9 618-829-3390
Timberlake 9 217-797-6496

 
Maps can be found at www.tinyurl.com/LakeShelbyville
Coon Creek Trail
0.7 Miles
 
Located in Coon Creek Campground, this .7 mile trail is self-guided. Among the highlights are a lookout tower, swinging bridge, and succession pond. A variety of trees, flowers, and ferns are identified along this truly scenic trail. Trailhead is on the north side of the boat ramp parking lot. Click here for map.
 
Camp Camfield Trail
1.2 Miles & 5 Miles
 
These two trails are 1.2 and 5 miles. Both offer picturesque views of the lake and outdoor amphitheatres. These trails pass by ponds which are not only photogenic, but are also excellent fishing sites, as well. This trail system is designated a National Recreation Trail. A well designed moutain biking trail is also available in the area. Click here for CIMBA
 
Okaw Bluff Trail
1.2 Miles
 
Located at the entrance of the Okaw Bluff Group Camp, this 1.2 mile trail winds along a bluff overlooking the lake and next to a 100-acre wetland. It includes two photographic stands and a wetlands/waterfowl viewing stand. There are prime areas to view migrating waterfowl and shorebirds during the winter and spring migrating seasons. Click here for map
   
Illini Trail
11.3 Miles
 
A National Recreation Trail, this 11-mile trail is a scenic journey winding across rolling hills and prairies offering close-ups of the lake. The trail begins at Lone Point Campground and ends at Eagle Creek State Park. A trail camping shelter is available by reservation only and only available to hikers who hike the entire trail. Call 217-774-3951, ext 2 for details. Click here for a map
   
Little Illini Trail
2.7 Miles
 
This trail is the first 2 miles of the Chief Illini Trail, beginning at Lone Point Campground and ends near Arrowhead Campground (CR1725N)
   
Wolf Creek Trails
 
For refreshing walks in the forests, Wolf Creek contains 7 hiking trails. For invigorating wintertime activity there is a 16 1/2-mile snowmobile trail, and for the equestrian there is a scenic 15-mile equestrian trail and a 16.5 mile snowmobile trail.
   
Eagle Creek Trails
 
Five marked nature trails for tranquil & refreshing sojourns in the forest, as well as access to the 11-mile Chief Illini trail for the more adventurous hiker and a 3-mile cross-country ski trail for invigorating wintertime activity.
   
Hidden Springs Trails
 
Opossum Hollow Nature Trail, 3/4 mile in length. The Big Tree Trail, 1 mile in length, features a sycamore 78 inches in diameter, one of the largest to be found in Illinois. Rocky Spring Trail, 3 miles in length. Seventeen miles of fire lanes also provide access to remote areas of the forest.
 
 

Wolf Creek Riding Stables - CLOSED

The stables are closed, but you can still bring your own horse and ride the trails and/or camp with your horse. Wolf Creek State Park has a horse camp, so you can stay for several days or a week and ride. There is a 15-mile equestrian trail.

Coyote Creek Stables - Sigel
217-844-2161/217-821-7783
coyotecreektack@yahoo.com

Far View Stables - Shelbyville
217-774-9510

Owens Top of the Hill Horses-Tower Hill-5 miles from Shelbyville.
217-567-3199, 217-273-3199
owensthh@gmail.com
indoor/outdoor, all ages, rain or shine

 
Click here for Illinois Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Including Waterfowl info.

You can hunt almost anything in Shelby County. We have an abundance of wildlife both for the enthusiast who enjoys watching wildlife and the avid hunter who enjoys the thrill of the hunt. Best bets for the upcoming season include archery and shotgun deer hunting, rabbit and waterfowl hunting. The waterfowl opportunities are abundant in the subimpoundments for both walk-in hunters and those using boat blinds on the main lake. Other huntable wildlife species that you can expect to find on Lake Shelbyville lands in lesser numbers are: quail, pheasant, gray and fox squirrels, turkey, dove, woodcock, raccoon, fox and coyote.

Controlled dove hunting is conducted during the first two days of the dove hunting season in managed sunflower fields. These hunts limit the number of participants for quality and safety reasons where demand for the sport exceeds available hunting area.

Deer/Turkey Hunters: Lake Shelbyville is considered a Special Hunt Area for Deer and Turkey. Hunters must apply specifically for Lake Shelbyville Project. A general county tag is NOT valid on the lake project.

 

The Annual Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Wolf Creek State Park, takes place in November. This special three-day hunt proves to be an excellent deer-hunting experience for participating hunters. It provides a wonderful opportunity to those who would not normally be able to participate in this physically demanding sport. Handicap archery is available at Whitley Creek, and you can reserve the blinds for the archery season. To volunteer or reserve, call 217-774-3951, ext 4.

It is important to note that the management of these lands is shared between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and thus regulations governing each of their respective lands may vary somewhat. Before engaging in any hunting activities at Lake Shelbyville, you should determine which agencies’ land you intend to hunt on, and what rules and regulations are in effect on those particular lands.

The vast majority of huntable State lands (6,200 acres) are located in the upper reaches of the lake along the West Okaw and Kaskaskia Rivers. They also manage Eagle and Wolf Creek State Parks. The Corps manages all other project lands. You must check with State personnel to see what species may be hunted, approved hunting methods, and effective dates before hunting in either State Park. Contact numbers: 217-756-8260 or 217-459-2831 or call IDNR Wildlife Area at 217-665-3112. For permits you can register online at dnr.state.il.us.

Click here for the 2019 Youth Deer Hunt Application.

 
   

There are 4 public beaches located on Lake Shelbyville.
COE beaches are open May 20-Sept 10, 2023

  • Dam West Recreation Area (9th St) in Shelbyville
    Sullivan Beach located just outside of Sullivan
  • Wilborn Creek Recreation Area near Kirksville.
  • Wolf Creek State Park near Windsor, this is also a high water beach. (Open Memorial wknd to Labor Day wknd)

Pets are NOT allowed on the beaches.

Fees at COE are $5 per vehicle or $2 per pedestrian. Hours are 8 am to Dusk. No fees for children under 16 years of age or USACE campers. Fees at the State Park are $1 per person.

The COE beaches are open 8 am to Sunset.
COE Annual passes are available for $40 at the office, Dam East Recreation Area during office hours. These passes are good for boat launch and beaches.
Wolf Creek Beach hours are 10 am - dusk. Open Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend.

COE beaches are usually open seasonally one week before Memorial Day and Close one week after Labor Day .

   
Aquatic Center-
   

This attraction, located in Forest Park, provides zero-depth entry for the young, the old and physically handicapped. It has a frog slide, a water slide, and a one-meter drop slide. It has a wet playground area, a sand playground area, a concessions/food court area, a shaded picnic area and a bath house. It also has several lap lanes and a diving board. The Shelbyville Family Aquatic center offers recreation for all ages. Opens Memorial Day Weekend and closes after Labor Day Weekend every year. Entry is $5.

You can also reserve the pool for parties before or after normal pool hours. Call 217-774-4343.

Pool will close in case of inclement weather.

Monday - Friday: 12 - 8 PM
Saturday: 12 - 6 PM
Sunday: 1 - 6 PM

Picnicking

All picnic shelters are available on a first come, first served basis or through a special use permit obtained at the Lake Shelbyville Project office of by calling 217-774-3951, ext 7048. Reservations at www.recreation.gov. All permits are available beginning on the first working day in January and require a $30 non-refundable permit fee. The large shelter at Dam West requires a $50 permit fee. Permits will be posted at shelters indicating use.
Locations: Camp Camfield Ecological Study Area, East Spillway Recreation Area, Forrest W. "Bo" Wood, Dam East Recreation Area, Dam West Overlook, Dam West Recreation Area (beach area, large group shelter and ramp point shelter), Lone Point, Sullivan Beach.
DAM WEST BEACJ SHELTER IS FCFS ONLY.

Picnic Areas include a wide range of amenities including picnic tables, water fountains, electricity, grills, and restrooms. Open daily until 10 pm.(where signs are posted)
Locations: Camp Camfield Ecological Study Area, Forrest W. "Bo" Wood, Dam East Recreation Area, Dam West Recreation Area, Lone Point, Okaw Bluff, Spillway RA, Whitley Creek, and Wilborn Creek.

Picnic areas in Forest Park are available on a first come, first served basis or you can reserve a pavillion by calling City Hall at 217-774-5531 M-F.

 

 

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