Shelbyville ILL

[Robert E]

Anybody been fishing for walleye on Shelbyville lately? I figure it's a little early to try below the dam but was wondering about up in the lake. Ice isn't a problem right now as it's been fairly mild the past couple weeks.

Good fishing.

[DHefner]

It's never too early to fish below the dam at Shelbyville, however,If you plan on putting your boat in, make sure it's on a warm day.
The only ramp below the dam is right under the bridge and it is very steep and narrow, especially during low water conditions. Any ice on that ramp and I'd think real hard before attempting it. (A big truck helps too)
The Shore fishing below the dam is just as good if not better than from a boat.
I've fished that area in Jan. You won't find the numbers that you will in another 6-8 weeks but they are there, and you stand a good chance of hooking into a big one.

Let me know how you do.

Dennis
Saugeye41@netscape.net

[Robert E]

Thanks Dennis for the info. Think I'll leave the boat at home this weekend. What are the presentations for shore casting down there? Jigs? Jig and Minnow? Stickbaits? I've fished below Carlyle and am familiar with the way they fish walleye there. Is it the same?

Good fishing.

[DHefner]

Jigs & plastic tail or grub tipped with a minnow works good.
That's pretty much all I use there. For reasons unknown...I've had better success on the west side. Right up in the corner by the fence(east or west) theres relatively deeper water and eddy. Depending on the water flow you may need to go as heavy as 1/2-5/8 oz jig to keep on the bottom there. A couple other good spots are where the concrete steps end and the rocks begin.(1/8- 1/4th oz. jigs) And along the rock shoreline to a couple hundred feet from the bridge.(1/16-1/8th) There are some irregularities( some of them subtle) in the bottom that hold walleye ( if the water is low you'll see what I'm talking about)won't do you much good this trip but you'll know where they are next time the water is high. Some of them though you'll be able to "read" into the bottom.
There's alot of snags along there(main reason I don't use alot of cranks there)They work but I'd rather re-tie a $.50 jig than a $5.00 lure for the same results.

Good Fishing!

Dennis