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Lake Shelbyville
One of our favorite boating locations is Lake Shelbyville, located in central Illinois. As Illinois’ third
largest lake, Lake Shelbyville has over 172 miles of shoreline with over 11,000 acres of water. It extends
nearly 17 miles from the dam at Shelbyville to its limits above Sullivan and Bethany. The large size of this
lake allows boating enthusiasts the ability to indulge in their favorite occupation, fishing, water sports,
sightseeing, or just cruising, with little interference. In addition to miles of open boating, there are
numerous coves to explore. There are smaller coves for quiet relaxation and swimming or huge coves that
offer the opportunity to mingle with other boaters. “Party Cove”, located just east of Marker 5, is an
example of a very large cove than can host 100+ boats on the weekends. If you’re boating with small children,
keep in mind that there is often some scantly clad partiers at Party Cove.
Lake Shelbyville is a man-made lake built as part of a general comprehensive plan for the development of
the Kaskaskia Basin for flood control, recreation, water supply, and fish and wildlife conservation. At
normal level, Lake Shelbyville averages 16 feet in depth, with a maximum depth of 67 feet. However, in the
spring, the lake level can rise dramatically and create some accessibility problems with the marinas and
beaches.
Because Lake Shelbyville is man-made, the lake bottom consists entirely of mud -- the kind of mud that pulls
your shoes right off your feet. One important step in preparing for boating on Lake Shelbyville is to remove
your carpeting if possible. This mud gets everywhere. We bring a bucket for rinsing mud off the deck on a
regular basis when we are boating on this lake. It isn't that the dirt is in the water; the water is very clean. It's
just that everyone boarding the boat from a beach or other shoreline will bring a pound or two each time. Just
be prepared.
Our only complaint about Lake Shelbyville is that there are few destinations on the lake. Development of
the shoreline has been intentionally kept to a minimum. On a fast boat, it could take almost 45 minutes to
go from Lithia Springs Marina to the Sullivan Marina. Therefore, it is a good idea to pack food and drinks
for a day on the boat. However, there are four waterfront locations available.
Quick Launch to Lake Shelbyville Marina Information
Eagle Creek Resort
Findlay Marina
Lithia Springs
Sullivan Marina
Camping on Lake Shelbyville
Map of Lake Shelbyville
We have stayed at both Lithia Springs Campground and Eagle Creek Resort and can report that both are fine locations to visit while spending time on Lake Shelbyville.
Lithia Springs Campground is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is well run and
very clean. There are numerous toilets and free showers throughout the grounds. Most sites have electricity,
but no water. Water is available at pressurized pumps located throughout the campgrounds. Here is a little hint
about the check-in procedure. The campground operators prefer that you pull your vehicle
(and boat trailer) all the way over to the right of the entrance and walk over to the check-in station. Parking
directly in front of the check-in hut will create a roadblock for any campers that have already checked in.There is a small
camping/fishing store just outside the entrance to this campground, which is handy if you need some milk or,
more importantly, ice. This campground is conveniently located next to the Lithia Springs Marina and launch
ramp.
Eagle Creek Resort is easy to find from the water – and not so easy by car. This is a very nice resort
environment, offering several restaurants, a golf course, outdoor & indoor swimming pools, and a miniature
golf course. This resort has been undergoing major renovations over that last few years. The most
significant change is the new docking facilities. In the past, the docks were off to the side of the resort.
They were somewhat run-down and you had to climb about 100+ steps to get up to the resort. The new docking
facilities are directly in front of the resort in a small protected cove. It’s still a climb to get to the
resort, but nothing as steep as the old stairs. While the old docks were free, there is now a $20 charge to
dock your boat. This fee can be used towards the purchase of food or drinks at any of the restaurants/lounges
in the resort. So in the end, it is free to dock your boat while you go to the resort for a bite to eat.
Lake Shelbyville Marinas
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Marina Name |
Lithia Springs Marina |
| Address |
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| Phone Number |
800-447-4121 |
| Web Site |
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| Email Address |
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| Directions by car |
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| Directions by boat |
Marker 1 |
VHF Radio |
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| Launching Fees |
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Hours of Operation |
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| Daily & Seasonal Slip Rental |
Transient docking |
| Gas, Oil, & Propane |
Small store |
| Public restrooms |
Boat store (marine & camping supplies) |
| Waste pump-out |
Pontoon Boat Rentals |
| Houseboat Rentals |
Houseboat Sales |
| Boat Launch |
Fishing Guide Service |
| Ice |
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Marina Name |
Eagle Creek Resort |
| Address |
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| Phone Number |
800-876-3245 |
| Web Site |
www.eaglecreekresort.com |
| Email Address |
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| Directions by car |
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| Directions by boat |
Marker 4 |
VHF Radio |
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| Launching Fees |
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Hours of Operation |
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| Daily & Seasonal Slip Rental |
Transient docking |
| Pontoon Boat Rentals |
Three (3) Restaurants & Bar |
| Public restrooms |
Ice |
| Full Resort Amenities |
Golf Course |
| Boat Launch nearby |
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Marina Name |
Findlay Marina |
| Address |
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| Phone Number |
217-756-8595 |
| Web Site |
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| Email Address |
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| Directions by car |
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| Directions by boat |
North of Marker 5 just past bridge on west side |
VHF Radio |
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| Launching Fees |
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Hours of Operation |
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| Fishing & Pontoon Boat Rental |
Boat Sales & Repair |
| Boat Lifts & Storage |
Marine Parts & Accessories |
| Public restrooms (long walk to top of hill) |
Bait |
| Slip Rentals |
Pontoon Boat Rentals |
| Gas |
Guide Services |
| Ice |
Refreshments |
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Marina Name |
Sullivan Marina & Campground |
| Address |
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| Phone Number |
888-728-7338 |
| Web Site |
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| Email Address |
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| Directions by car |
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| Directions by boat |
Marker 8 |
VHF Radio |
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| Launching Fees |
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Hours of Operation |
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| 150 Covered & Open Boat Slips |
Dock Store (bait, boating & fishing supplies) |
| Dockside Restaurant & Bar (Skeeters) |
Gas |
| Boat Launch |
Canoe & Motorboat Rentals |
| Public Restrooms |
Fishing Guide Services |
| ice |
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