What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties)?

Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties) carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override Illinois' statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Walleye (and sauger / saugeye), Crappie (white + black), and Muskellunge. One of them reads: "11,100-acre Kaskaskia River impoundment, central IL; 14 in min largemouth, 6 / day combined; crappie 15 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer; walleye + saugeye 14 in min, 6 / day combined; muskellunge 48 in min, 1 / day; striped bass 32 in min, 2 / day." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties)?

Yes. Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties) is in Illinois, so a valid Illinois fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lake Shelbyville; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Illinois rules.

Do Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties)'s special rules replace Illinois' statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Illinois' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Shelbyville by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Lake Shelbyville?

Largemouth bass, Walleye (and sauger / saugeye), Crappie (white + black), and Muskellunge have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties), each linking to its full Illinois regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Illinois limits.

2026 regulation year

Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties) 2026 — Illinois Fishing Regulations

Illinois statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties) carries 5 special-regulation overlays on top of Illinois's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Walleye (and sauger / saugeye), Crappie (white + black), Muskellunge. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

11,100-acre Kaskaskia River impoundment, central IL; 14 in min largemouth, 6 / day combined; crappie 15 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer; walleye + saugeye 14 in min, 6 / day combined; muskellunge 48 in min, 1 / day; striped bass 32 in min, 2 / day
Source: Illinois special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties)

Largemouth bass regulations →
14 in min, 6 / day combined; Kaskaskia River impoundment, central IL
Walleye (and sauger / saugeye) regulations →
14 in min, 6 / day combined walleye + saugeye
Crappie (white + black) regulations →
15 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer
Muskellunge regulations →
48 in min, 1 / day; designated trophy water

Official source

Illinois Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Illinois fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Illinois fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Illinois Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Illinois trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Illinois

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties)?: Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties) carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override Illinois' statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Walleye (and sauger / saugeye), Crappie (white + black), and Muskellunge. One of them reads: "11,100-acre Kaskaskia River impoundment, central IL; 14 in min largemouth, 6 / day combined; crappie 15 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer; walleye + saugeye 14 in min, 6 / day combined; muskellunge 48 in min, 1 / day; striped bass 32 in min, 2 / day." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties)?: Yes. Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties) is in Illinois, so a valid Illinois fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lake Shelbyville; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Illinois rules.
Do Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties)'s special rules replace Illinois' statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Illinois' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Shelbyville by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Lake Shelbyville?: Largemouth bass, Walleye (and sauger / saugeye), Crappie (white + black), and Muskellunge have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Shelbyville (Shelby / Moultrie Counties), each linking to its full Illinois regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Illinois limits.

← Back to Illinois regulations overview