Shovel Lake - Banner Marsh
Location 200 acres
Fishing Outlook
Bluegill
Poor
4 stock size Bluegill and 5 stock size redear sunfish were sampled in 2024. The population for both species has remained poor in size structure and body condition. The competition with the gizzard shad and carp have caused this growth slowdown.
Channel Catfish
Fair
2 Channel Catfish were sampled in 2024. No recent Channel Catfish stockings have occurred in Shovel Lake.
Crappie spp.
Average
The black crappie population was surveyed by 33 fish in the spring trap nets, and 34 fish in the fall electrofishing survey in 2024. The PSD was 47, the the RSD9 was 21, the RSD10 was 12, and the RSD11 was 6. The body condition was good with a Wr value at 86. This is a decrease in the size structure from the high in 2023 for the black crappie population. No white crappie were surveyed in 2023 or 2024. This population is present in a very low density of quality fish. In 2018 the crappie harvest regulation changed to a harvest limit of 25 fish per day with only 10 fish over 10 inches allowed.
Largemouth Bass
Very Good
The Largemouth Bass population was evaluated by 195 stock size bass from electrofishing with 139 minutes of effort. The Largemouth Bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 4.0 to 20 inches in length with good average Relative weights. In 2000, the bass regulation for the Marsh was changed from a 14 inch minimum size limit and 1 fish per day - to a 12 to 18 inch protected slot length with a harvest of 3 fish under or over the slot per day. The 2024 fall electrofishing survey indicated a size structure that is continuing to maintain a very good level and stability since 2004. The PSD of 64, the RSD14 of 46, the RSD16 of 32 and the RSD 18 of 11 were all very good. The goal of the protected slot length limit was to create a high-density bass population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the high density of slow growing panfish and the rough fish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 14 inches to catch, and for anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to harvest more fish.
Muskellunge
Good
The muskie population was sampled by a total of 12 stock size muskie by the spring of 2023 trap net survey (.75 fish per net night, and by 8 fish in the fall electrofishing survey. These fish ranged from 12.2 to 44.4 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good with an average Wr of 94. The first stocking of 450 fish at 11 inches was in 1999. In 2000, a total of 200, 2001-600, 2002-200, 2003-200, 2004-0, and 200 annually from 2005 through 2014 at an average size of 11.2 inches were stocked. No muskie were stocked in 2015 or 2016. In 2017, 200 fish at 12.4 inches long were stocked. In 2021, 2,788 fish at 3 inches were stocked in June, and 240 fish at 13 inches were stocked in September. In 2024, 200 fish at 12.85 inches were stocked on 9/17/2024. A triennial stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy muskie.
| 2024 | Muskellunge | Adult | 200 |
Contact
217-935-8722
Description
Banner Marsh SFWA was characterized by narrow strip pits and upland ponds, but in 1994, the hydrology changed due to the intentional cessation of pumping operations in the levee district. The water level rose approximately 7 feet (435 M.S.L.) due mainly to groundwater recharge by seepage under the existing 1-100 year flood-tight levee with the Illinois River. The total surface water acreage for the site increased from 530 acres to approximately 2,400 acres and created a large vegetated littoral zone. Shovel Lake (approximately 200 acres) is the third largest water area at the site. It is a "T" shaped final cut lake with limited habitat in the boat ramp arm. The opposite arm which lies adjacent to the Copperas Creek levee, contains points, flooded brush, beaver lodges, and diverse aquatic vegetation. The water acreage added in 2001 consists of very large littoral zones around deep water pockets. The maximum water depth is 65.0 feet. The average water clarity in the summer is often over 12 feet. The Bell's Landing access area has a concrete boat ramp, 25 vehicle and trailer parking lot and restrooms.Fishery History
The former bottomland lake and marsh was leveed and drained for agricultural practice from 1910 through 1958. From 1958 to1974 approximately 90 percent of the site was strip-mined for coal. The strip-mined areas have since been reclaimed and purchased by the State of Illinois. Under the management of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (1978 – present) the primary objective for the site is to establish a freshwater marsh providing fish and wildlife habitat in the Illinois River Valley.Site Regulations
Shovel Lake has a 25 horsepower motor limit and boats with motors over 25 horsepower must operate at No Wake speed. The site is open 24 hours a day, except for the Central Zone Duck Season, at which time only shoreline fishing is allowed after 1:00 p.m.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- Recreational Use Restriction: Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (see below)
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing; bow fishing is allowed from May 1 through August 31
- All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected slot length limit with no possession of fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 18 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Walleye, Sauger, or Walleye Hybrid: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)
- Muskie: 42 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches
Additional Information
FALL FISHING CLOSURE: October 16; bank fishing is allowed after 1:00 p.m. during the closure.
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory Page
Bath Map
