Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental Tip Board
The Shabbona Lake Tip board will help you catch the next big fish. Learn what lure or bait to use, the location to fish and a tip from the Shabbona Lake experts.
updated 5/12/12
The location numbers refer to areas on the free Shabbona Lake fishing map. http://shabbonalake.com/index.php/fishing/free-lake-map/
Bass
Lure: Chatterbait, Craw Papi, Baby One Minus
Bait: Leeches, Night Crawler, 4″ Suckers/Roaches
Location: #10, 18, 20, 22
Tip: fish hard bottom with soft plastics
Muskie
Lure: Squirrly Burt, Suiclc, Super Shad Rap
Bait: 10″-12″ Suckers, 4″ Suckers/ Roaches
Location: #3, 15, 16, 29
Tip: fish in 10′ of water or less
Walleye
Lure: Slow Death Hooks, Lindry Rigs, Gulp Leeches
Bait: Jumbo Leech, Night Crawler, 4″ Sucker/Roaches
Location: #13, 14, 17, 30
Tip: Break bass minnow in half, use high end on jig
Catfish
Lure: Powerbait, Sonny’s Bait, Gulp Bait
Bait: Chicken Liver, Shrimp, Night Crawlers
Location: #7, 11, 25, 27
Tip: find green weeds
Bluegill
Lure: Gulp Alive Waxies, Panfish Creatures, Beatle Spin
Bait: Crappie Minnow, Wax Worm, Leaf Worm
Location: #4, 12, 20, 24
Tip: fish structure 10′-15′
Crappie
Lure: Gulp 1″ Minnow, Mini Mite, Stump Jumper
Bait: Crappie Minnow, Wax Worm
Location: #6, 8, 16, 24, 26
Tip: If you are not losing hooks, you are not catching fish
*** Spawning starts in the NMZ and progresses down the lake, which means not all of any species are spawning at the same time.
Hi, I’ll be fishing this lake for the first time this friday what will be the best colors and lures to fish here?
The lures for each species are listed on the tip board page. As for colors we recommend:
blue for shad colors
white for spinner baits
perch for crank baits
As keep in mind the the lighter the day the lighter the color. The darker the day the darker the color.
Stop in the bait shop before you hit the water. We can provide with advice for the specific days conditions.
Good luck on Friday!
~ Becky
Are they trolling or jigging for the walleye.
thanks,
We recommend that you try jigging 15-20 feet down with a minnow or leech. The best Walleye fishing is in June when the weeds appear.
I have never fished Shabbona. Can you fish off the dam and what are the best spots for shore fishing.
Appreciate the insight.
Hi Zig ~
You can fish from the dam shoreline. Depending on the season and type of fishing you are trying to catch the locations can vary for shore fishing. The best place to shore fish is off the Handicap pier located near the boat launch. I would recommend you stop in the bait shop the day of your visit to and just ask them where to fish from shore for that day. They can point you in the right direction so that hopefully your day will be full of catching fish.
There is also a free map of the lake here that will match locations from the tip board to spots on the lake. http://shabbonalake.com/index.php/fishing/free-lake-map/
~ Becky
Thanks Becky,
Appreciate the prompt response.
What are the best color jigs to use for crappie fishing?
The best color to use is pink.
Becky,
I am a den leader for cub scout pack 347 out of Sugar Grove. we will be camping there this weekend and for a lot of the boys this will be their first exposure to fishing. I’m a novice myself. do you have any tips and locations that would help the little guys catch a few?
Hi Bill,
We are glad to hear that your cub scout pack is coming camping at Shabbona Lake State Park. If you are in the campground, you can fish at the Kid’s Pond by the Camp Store. It has recently been stocked with crappie. The Camp Store also have loaner kids fishing poles that the boys could use at the Kid’s Pond.
On the lake, the Crappie have moved in shallow so you can try to catch them from shore. The bass are also hanging out there. You should use crappie minnows and wax works.
Thanks
Becky
HI there, I was thinking about planning a trip to do some fly fishing for smallmouth or pan fish. Is wading or fishing from shore in this manner productive? Thanks!
You are not supposed to wade in Shabbona Lake. There are many individuals who do very well fishing from shore for pan fish.
hello,
oops i hit post to fast
i’ve never been to Shabbona Lake before.
I saw above that wading is not allowed, is that all year? also, is there boat rental, i’m from near Chicago and have no boat so rental is my way to go? thanks!
HI Kevin ~ Wading is not allowed all year long.
There is boat rental. The boat rental rates can be found here: http://shabbonalake.com/index.php/boat-rental-rates/
You can rent a boat on a walk-in basis. They are available first come first serve. Or you can guarantee a boat by completing our online reservation form https://shabbonalake.com/index.php/boat-rental-rates/online-boat-rental/
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Becky