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BANNER MARSH-SHOVEL LAKE
Lake Information
County: Fulton
Acreage: 200
Average Depth: 0.00 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? 25HP, No wake over 25HP
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
Click on area names for a more detailed map.
East End,
West End
Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are zebra mussels in this lake.
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Poor | 14 stock size bluegill and 2 stock size redear sunfish were sampled in 2023. The population for both of these species has remained poor in size structure and body condition. The competition with the gizzard shad and carp have caused this growth slowdown. | |
Fair | 4 channel catfish were sampled in 2023. No recent channel catfish stockings have occurred in Shovel Lake. | |
Average | The black crappie population was surveyed by 64 stock size fish in 2023. The PSD was 77, the the RSD9 was 58, the RSD10 was 44, and the RSD11 was 36. The body condition was good with a Wr value at 99. This is a marked improvement for the larger size structure of the black crappie population. It had been on a downward trend since 2019 in Shovel Lake. No white crappie were surveyed in 2023. 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. | |
Very Good | In 2023, a spring trap net survey and a fall D.C. electrofishing survey was used to evaluate the fish population. The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 126 stock size bass from electrofishing with 60 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 2023 fall electrofishing survey indicated a size structure that is continuing to maintain a very good level and stability since 2004. The PSD of 60, the RSD14 of 44, the RSD16 of 29 and the RSD 18 of 12 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. | |
Good | The muskie population was sampled by a total of 8 stock size muskie by the spring of 2023 trap net survey (.5 fish per net night). These fish ranged from 25.6 to 45 inches long. The body condition of these fish was good with an average Wr of 105. 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. A triennial stocking is now scheduled to maintain a moderate density of healthy muskie. Illinois (Jake Wolf) muskie strain appear to be doing good in this lake. No muskie stocking occurred in 2020 due to COVID work restrictions effecting hatchery production. | |
Location: Located in Central Illinois, the 5,524 acre Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area lies adjacent to the Illinois River, 4 miles north of Banner, Illinois, along Route 24.
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 2400 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.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: 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.
Additional Lake Information: 8 inch must be rigged with a quick set rig
-Waterfowl refuge or hunting area
The Bell's Landing access area has a concrete boat ramp, 25 vehicle and trailer parking lot and restrooms. The lake has a 25 h.p. motor limit. 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.
Two-pole and line fishing only except carp can be taken by bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears during May through August.
Site Regulations
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches.
Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit from 12 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit.
Muskie: 42 inch minimum and 1 fish per day harvest limit.
Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Walleye: 14 inch minimum and 6 fish daily Harvest Limit
'>Site Regulations
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches.
Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit from 12 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit.
Muskie: 42 inch minimum and 1 fish per day harvest limit.
Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Walleye: 14 inch minimum and 6 fish daily Harvest Limit
'> 8 inch must be rigged with a quick set rig
-Waterfowl refuge or hunting area
The Bell's Landing access area has a concrete boat ramp, 25 vehicle and trailer parking lot and restrooms. The lake has a 25 h.p. motor limit. 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.
Two-pole and line fishing only except carp can be taken by bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears during May through August.
Site Regulations
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches.
Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit from 12 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit.
Muskie: 42 inch minimum and 1 fish per day harvest limit.
Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Walleye: 14 inch minimum and 6 fish daily Harvest Limit
Contact Information: Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife AreaSite Office 309-647-9184IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Rob Hilsabeck309-370-5296
There were 6 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Largemouth Bass | 61 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:
| 1 5.89 lbs | 2 4.59 lbs | 3 4.51 lbs | 4 3.62 lbs | 5 3.33 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:
| 1 | 72.53 lbs |
| 2 | 20.83 lbs |
| 3 | 18.12 lbs |
| 4 | 17.45 lbs |
| 5 | 0.00 lbs |
Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.
Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.
| 2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
| Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
| August-03 | 27133 | Pending | Banner Marsh Shovel Lake | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| August-17 | 26404 | Approved | Banner Marsh Shovel Lake | boathook | 6 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | No | No |
| August-24 | 26930 | Approved | Banner Marsh Shovel Lake | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
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