Guided Fishing Trip Openings
with Steve Welch

Book Your Trip Now!
fish@lakeshelbyvilleguide.com
Phone (217) 840-1221

Availability for 2026

Here are my open dates for 2026

Ice Out Crappie on Shelbyville (weather dependent)
March 1,3,4,5,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,18

Spring Kentucky Lake. (Prefer to fill backwards to forwards) Two Anglers Only
March 20,22,23,24,25
April 1,2,5,6

Pre-spawn and Spawn crappie trips on Shelbyville (Will allow third angler now until fall extra $100.00)
April 19,20,24,27,29
May 10,11

Post-Spawn Crappie Trips (Some of my favorite crappie put on feed bag)
June 15,16,17,18,19,21,22,23,24,25,26,28,29,30

Summer Combo Trips (Crappie-White Bass)
July 1-18,20,21,22,23,25,27,28,29,30,31
August 1,2,4-30

Fall Crappie on Kentucky Lake (Prefer to fill backwards to forwards) Two Anglers Only
September 1-24,28,29,30

Fall Crappie on Shelbyville
October 2-24,26-31
November 1-30

You will note some changes for 2026. I am going back to Kentucky Lake in September, much better weather and my deep fish are there anyway. Why fight big winds and cold rain. Please if you book down there keep your promise to me and Eric. I have heard everything from I forgot or it’s too far or it’s deer season. All of these cancellations at the last minute will result in you not getting back in my boat. I am understanding on most any good excuse but remember I am also paying for lodging and Eric and I are both out. The Lake Lodge is a great place to stay and everyone loves these trips.

Lake Shelbyville Fishing Guide Trips – Pricing & Information

Fishing Guide Rates

Crappie, Walleye & White Bass Guided Fishing Trips at Lake Shelbyville with Steve Welch

A guided fishing trip for crappie is $400 for 1 and/or 2 anglers. For walleye and white bass, it’s $400 to 1 and/or 2 anglersand $100 extra for a third person. All consist of a full 8-hour day out of a fully-rigged 20-foot Yar-craft walleye boat.

The fee includes fishing rod, tackle, bait, and the cleaning of your limit as long as the fish cleaning stations are open and operable. All you need to bring is something to eat, drink, rain gear if weather requires, and a valid Illinois Fishing License. This is for either the day or the weekend.

Take a fishing break and call Steve Welch at Lake Shelbyville Guide – (217) 840-1221. Don’t miss out on the year-round fishing fun!

Eight-hour trips only.
2-person trips are only available from March until the last week of April, and again from late October until the end of the season in early December.
3-person trips are available the last week of April through late October.
Walleye trips start May 13 and run through June 12. (Note: Walleye can be hard to find, so we also catch crappie and white bass.)

When you book your guided fishing trip on Lake Shelbyville…

Steve Welch will call or email 3-4 days before your trip to:

- - reconfirm your trip
  - discuss directions and a meeting location (differs depending on time of year, type of fish, and boat ramp location)

You will need to bring:

- - something to eat and/or drink
  - a rain suit, depending on weather conditions
  - a cooler to carry your fish home
  - a valid Illinois Fishing License
  - yourselves!

You need to know:

- - Steve Welch will clean your catch for you unless the fish cleaning stations are closed.
  - Fishing trips will go rain, shine, or snow but not freezing rain, as it’s too cold.
  - Fishing trips start at sunrise and end around 3 p.m. or at the client’s discretion if an earlier end time is desired.

or Shop in our Online Store

Guided Fishing Trips depart from the boat ramp at Forest Bo-Woods in Shelbyville, IL.

GPS N 39′ 33.058′ W 088′ 37.498′ or 39.550111, -88.624861

Get Driving Directions