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SHABBONA LAKE


Lake Information

County: DeKalb

Acreage: 316

Average Depth: 15.26 feet

Shoreline Length: 6.5 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? unlimited hp, No Wake

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? Yes

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? Yes


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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

6096

2022

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

7980

2022

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

48353

2023

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

6020

2023

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

536

2023

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

7876

2023

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

13750


Additional information for stocking on Shabbona Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Very Good

A total of 140 Bluegill were sampled. The 2023 sample showed similar results to the 2022 survey. Fall relative weights are stable and good. Spring age and growth data shows a fast-growing population with fish reaching 5 inches in 2 years.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Excellent

Channel catfish have had excellent growth with good numbers of fish 15 inches and larger. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily creel limit, no minimum length limit.

CRAPPIE

Very Good

Shabbona Lake has a population of both black and white crappies. Black Crappie were the dominate species in the 2023 sample. Both species have good relative weights for all size groups sampled. Both species have excellent growth reaching over 8 inches in 2 plus years. White crappie number in the 2023 survey will be monitored in the future. Site Regulation: 10 fish daily creel limit, no minimum length limit.

HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)

Very Good

The sizes of fish are averaging 22" - 26". Site Regulation: 3 fish daily creel limit, 17˝ minimum length limit.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

Shabbona has an excellent Largemouth population. Fall electrofishing surveys have averaged 127 fish/hr over the past 8 years. The 2023 fall survey showed rebounded numbers from the 2022 survey. The weak 2022 year class is evident in both the spring and fall 2023 surveys. Age and growth data from the spring 2023 survey showed a population with good growth reaching legal size in 3.8 years and 12.3 inches in 3 years.

MUSKELLUNGE

Excellent

The Muskie population continues to be stable with size distribution similar to previous years, even with decreased overall catch per unit effort in 2023. Fish in the 30-38 inch remain the dominate size group sampled.

WALLEYE

Very Good

The Walleye population is healthy with good numbers of the fish sampled over the 18-inch minimum length limit. Fish over 25 inches are common. Walleye were captured at a rate of 344 fish per hour in the spring electrofishing sample. Walleye are stocked annually at a rate of 80 per acre. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily creel limit, 18˝ minimum length limit.

Location: Shabbona Lake is located in Dekalb County approximately 2 miles south and 1 mile east of the city of Shabbona. Take US 30 east into Shabbona. Follow blue tourism signs at the west edge of Shabbona.

Description: Shabbona Lake was constructed in 1974 for recreational fishing. Shabbona Lake has 318 surface acres of water. The lake has an average depth of 17.5 feet deep and a max depth of 40 feet. The original river channel can still be found along with old road beds and standing timber creating a unique fishing experience.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The fishery is managed by annual species-specific surveys. Habitat structures of rock or brush piles are completed annually when weather and conditions allow. Shabbona Lake receives an annual stocking of Channel Catfish, Walleye and Hybrid Striped Bass. Muskie are currently stocked every third year. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are stocked when available or when a poor year class has been identified.

Additional Lake Information: A two-lane concrete boat ramp with car/trailer parking is available. Boat rentals are available from the bait shop.

Lake is unlimited horsepower, however no wake for all boat motors.

All Fish: 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only

Site Regulations:
Large or Smallmouth Bass: 1 fish daily limit; 14˝ minimum length limit
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 10 fish daily limit; no minimum length limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit; No minimum length limit
Pure Muskellunge: 1 fish daily limit; 48˝ minimum length limit
Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass: 3 fish daily limit; 17˝ minimum length limit
Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 6 fish daily limit; 18˝ minimum length limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 10 fish daily limit; no minimum length limit


Contact Information:
Shabbona Lake State Park
State Park Office
4201 Shabbona Grove Road
815-824-2106
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, David Wyffels
630-360-4185

There were 2 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.

Species Total Fish Caught
Largemouth Bass 87

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1     5.56 lbs
2     4.19 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1 90.50 lbs
2 57.06 lbs