Burning Star - Shop Lake
Info / Jackson County
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
Yes - No wake only
Boat Ramps
No
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
No
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 24 acres
Shop Lake is accessed from State Route 149 in Jackson County. From Route 149, turn north onto Mine Road to the south parking lot for the Burning Star complex, which is located between DeSoto and Hurst.
A map of the 24 lakes located on Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area can be obtained via email by sending a request to Shawn.Hirst@illinois.gov
Fishing Outlook
Channel Catfish
Average
One Channel Catfish (16 inches) was collected in the 2025 spring survey. Channel Catfish were stocked into Shop Lake in 2025.
Redear Sunfish
Poor
No Redear Sunfish have been collected from this lake during fisheries surveys.
Largemouth Bass
Average
Largemouth Bass were collected at a rate of 128 bass per hour in the 2025 spring electrofishing survey. Of the Largemouth Bass collected, 12% were over 15 inches, 3% were over 16 inches, and 3% were over 18 inches. The largest bass collected weighed 3.1 pounds.
Bluegill
Poor
The Bluegill population is poor. Very few Bluegill over 7 inches have been observed during fisheries surveys at Shop Lake.
Crappie spp.
Poor
No white crappie have been collected from this lake during fisheries surveys. One black crappie (7 inches) was collected during the 2025 survey. This was the first crappie observed during electrofishing surveys at Shop Lake.
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 245 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 144 |
Contact
483 Mine Road, DeSoto, Illinois 62824
618-521-8873
Description
There are no facilities or boat ramps at this 24-acre lake. Because there is no boat ramp at this lake, anglers are not allowed to launch boats in Shop Lake from a trailer. Boats/kayaks/canoes must be carried from the road. Gas motors are allowed, but must be operated at no-wake speed.
Fishery History
Channel Catfish are stocked annually when available.Site Regulations
CLOSED FISHING SEASON: Fishing is prohibited from November 1 through the end of February.
There is no HP boat motor restriction but all boats must operate at no wake speed.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- Recreational Use Restriction: Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (see above)
- 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
- Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- 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 14 inches and less than 18 inches; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and 5 fish less than 14 inches
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit