Need an escape from city life or want to spend more time outdoors? Get in touch with nature this summer and spend a calm and relaxing day at one of the hundreds of fishing spots Illinois has to offer. Loved by local anglers and visitors from across the state, the following fishing spots offer beautiful scenery, additional outdoor activities and best of all – a great catch!

Northern Illinois – Shabbona Lake

Located in DeKalb County, Shabbona Lake is a 318.8-acre fishing lake within Shabbona Lake State Park. Dubbed as the “muskie capital of Illinois,” the lake is has produced six state record fish including four muskies. The lake is stocked with large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, black and white crappie, black and brown bullhead, channel catfish, walleye, muskie and perch.

Boat rentals and bait and tackle supplies are available on site at the park. Spend a full day at the park enjoying additional facilities for picnicking and hiking. For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

Central Illinois – Lake Shelbyville

Just a quick drive from Springfield, Decatur, Champaign and surrounding communities, Lake Shelbyville at Eagle Creek State Park offers the perfect setting for fishing and other outdoor recreation. The lake along with connecting creeks, rivers and streams encompasses over 11,000 acres of water and 250 miles of shoreline.

The lake provides prime fishing for black and white crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, muskie, bullhead, carp and sunfish. Visitors can take advantage of boating and fishing supplies offered by the two marinas on the lake. For more information, visit the park’s website.

Southern Illinois – Cedar Lake

The 1750-acre lake located five miles southwest of Carbondale offers tranquil waters for anglers to spend a calm day catching largemouth and striped bass, black and white crappie, sunfish and bluegill.

With the southern half of the lake’s shoreline surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest, the lake is lined with colorful bluffs and surrounded by various hiking and equestrian trails. The trails connect visitors to connecting streams offering greater fishing opportunities. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking, paddling and swimming in designated areas. Find more information on Cedar Lake here. 

Get out on the water!