Book A Fishing Trip2024-12-26T12:21:59-06:00

Guided Fishing Trip Openings
with Steve Welch

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

Availability for 2025

Lot’s of clients have reached out asking “when are you going to start booking for next year?”… Well here goes…

Ice out Crappie on Shelbyville
March 10-22 weather dependent

Kentucky Lake – Big Sandy
No Availability

Lake Shelbyville
Pre-Spawn-Spawn Crappie
May 5,11,14

Walleye/Crappie/White Bass – Pulling Spinners
No Availability

Crappie/White Bass on slip bobbers
June 14-29

Crappie/White Bass Combo Trips – Slip Bobbers for crappie. Jigging Spoons for White Bass.
July 1,2,6-31
August 1-14,16-22,24-31
September 1-30
October 1-15

Back to strictly Crappie
October 16-31
November 1-12

Back To Kentucky Lake – Big Sandy
November 17-30
December 1-11

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.)
Kiera with her first Sauger

When you book your guided fishing trip on Lake Shelbyville…

Steve Welch holding up a line of fish

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.

Find our Fishing Products at These Local Retailers

Chip’s Marine – At the entrance to the Forest “Bo” Woods Recreation Area, 4mi S of Sullivan, IL on Rt 32
Crappie Pro Shop – 130 South Division, Carterville IL
Gregory’s Resort – At the entrance to Lithia Springs Marina
Howie’s Lakeside – South of Sullivan on Rt. 32 Bruce/Findley Rd. Crossing

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

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