Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area

Trails and Nature Study

The Kaskaskia and West Okaw units offer developed nature trails that highlight habitats. Trails provide visitors an opportunity to leisurely wander through natural settings that present different plant and animal communities at every turn. Whether a spring walk to look at wildflowers or marvel at woodland warblers, or a fall hike to take in fall leaf color, these trails showcase some of central Illinois' finest outdoor spectaculars.

Boat Access

Hunters and fishermen will find six small boat launching facilities conveniently located in the wildlife areas. Visitors with bigger crafts are advised to use the larger access areas offered at marinas, state parks, or Corps of Engineers sites.

Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area is composed of two separate units. The Kaskaskia Unit (eastern) covers 3,700 acres, and the West Okaw Unit (western) is about 2,500 acres. These are managed primarily to promote diverse habitats to accommodate a wide variety of wildlife species and support related recreational opportunities. Because of its focus on hunting and fishing, the area has no camping, picnicking, or day-use facilities.

Fishing

The Kaskaskia and West Okaw rivers provide excellent stream fishing for walleye, white bass, crappie, and channel catfish. Boats are welcome on the rivers, but the corridors are designated no-wake areas.

Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish are found in the six ponds scattered around the management units. Ponds range in size from 0.5 to 1.7 acres.

​Accessibility at Shelbyville:

• Parking - All parking lots are gravel, and the sidewalks are concrete. The park office is at ground level.
• Restrooms - The park has two accessible vault toilets.
• Waterfowl hunting - McGee waterfowl area has an accessible parking space for waterfowl blind #8. Dunn waterfowl area has accessible parking for blind #1.
• Fishing - There is a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier at Bethany and Elder Pond. The Jonathan Creek access area has accessible parking at three different locations with 100' of sidewalk to the fishing station.
• Boating - There is one accessible parking space at the Bethany Boat Ramp.
• Archery Range - There is one accessible parking space.
• Service animals are welcome in the park.