2014 Calendar Of Events Shabbona Lake State Park
Enjoy Illinois Best Fishing Lake, known as the Muskie Capitol Of Illinois. Shabbona Lake has 4 State Of Illinois Record Muskie and 2 State Of Illinois Record Hybrid Crappie in its fishing legacy.
January 4th & 5th 5 Bluegill/5Crappie “On The Ice” Weekend – This is the first, of the year, Weekend Contest. The weekend contests are a fund raising event for restocking Shabbona Lake. This is a heaviest, up to 5 Bluegill & 5 Crappie, limit contest. Prizes are awarded to the top three finishers.
January 18th Night Ice Fishing #1 – This very popular event allows ice fishermen to fish after dark. It is quite a sight to see the lake ice light up with lanterns from the hordes of ice fishermen.
February 1st Rockfest – This is an annual event in which fish habitat is added thru the ice. Chain saws are used to open large 4 feet by 4 feet holes. Then large boulders are dragged out to the holes by snowmobiles and 4 wheelers. As the rocks are dragged by the hole, they are dumped down into the water. This creates a rock pyramid habitat, great for Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie & Catfish.
February 22nd Night Ice Fishing #2 – This event became so popular we had to add a second night of ice fishing. It is an amazing event for spectators and fishermen alike.
March 1st & 2nd Catfish “On The Ice” Weekend – 2nd Weekend Contest – Many people are amazed at the size of the Catfish that can be caught thru the ice. Quite often Catfish too big to fit up thru an ice hole are caught. Up to a limit of 6 Catfish can be weighed in.
April All Month Mega Big Fish Contest Month – During April, Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental runs a month long contest for the biggest fish in several Species. Included are Muskie, Walleye, Bass Striper, Catfish, Crappie & Bluegill. Prizes are awarded for the winners.
May 3rd & 4th Crappie Contest Weekend – 3rd Contest Weekend – Crappie at Shabbona Lake are very heavy, due to the abundant shad forage. Shabbona Lake has had 2 State Of Illinois Record Crappie. This is a heaviest, up to ten Crappie, limit contest. Top 3 prizes are awarded.
May 17th & 18th Largemouth and Smallmouth Contest Weekend – 4th Contest Weekend – Shabbona Lake is a top water Bass haven. The lake record is a whopping 7.85 pounds. The heaviest Bass will win the contest. Top 3 prizes are awarded.
June 28th & 29th Walleye Contest Weekend – 5th Contest Weekend – Walleye in June is prime time! Work the weed lines with slip bobbers and leeches. This is a heaviest, up to six Walleye, limit contest.
July 4th Pokanoka’s Run/Walk www.pokanokasrun.com – A very unique 8 mile Trail Run/ 1.8 mile Walk thru the heavily wooded trails encircling scenic Shabbona Lake. The Run/Walk is a Fund Raiser for Safe Passage, DeKalb County’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Shelter.
July 4th Fireworks Shot Over Lake Shabbona (Friday) – Enjoy Northern Illinois most spectacular fireworks. The fireworks are shot over Shabbona Lake, creating a spectacular reflection display; as the booming fireworks sound vibrate off of the surrounding forest.
July 12th & 13th Bluegill Contest Weekend – 6th Contest Weekend – This is Shabbona Lake’s Family event. Bring your family out and make some fantastic memories that will last for years. Bluegill is Illinois’ State Fish and Shabbona Lake is full of them. This is a heaviest, up to ten Bluegill, limit contest.
July 26th & 27th Catfish Contest Weekend – 7th Contest Weekend – It is rumored that Catfish start at 5 pounds and then get bigger at Shabbona Lake. Many a fishing line has snapped, as a monster Catfish strikes. The lake record is 22.75 pounds. This is a heaviest, up to six Catfish, limit contest.
August 16th & 17th Striped Bass Contest Weekend – 8th Contest Weekend – Stripers on Chicken Liver! Yes, that is the favorite bait for Stripers at Shabbona Lake. The lake is full of 23 inch to 27 inch Stripers. If you have never hooked a Striper, you are in for quite a thrill. This is a heaviest, up to three Striper, limit contest.
Sept 20th & 21st Muskie Contest Weekend – 9th Contest Weekend – Shabbona Lake is known as the Muskie Capitol Of Illinois with 4 State Of Illinois Record Muskie. In 2013, we had 3 Muskie measured in over 50+ inches. Why travel to far away States like Wisconsin & Minnesota or even to Canada, when you have a great chance to catch a trophy Muskie right here in Illinois.