INHS assessment of crappie fisheries in Lake Shelbyville
Planned activities for 2026 – 2028:
Effective management of fisheries relies on high quality information on fishing pressure and the vital rates of the exploited populations. In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the US Army Corps of Engineers, researchers at the Kaskaskia Biological Station will be working to quantify fishing pressure (angler effort, catch rate, harvest rate, and total annual harvest) and the stock status of Black Crappie and White Crappie within Lake Shelbyville.
During 2026, INHS scientists will collect data to see how fishing effort is distributed across the lake over the course of days, weeks, and seasons. Camera technology will be used at multiple boat ramps throughout the lake to collect information on how boat angling effort varies among different access points. More information will be provided as this project is developed. So, stay tuned!
During 2027, INHS scientists will conduct creel surveys (in person interviews with anglers) to estimate fishing effort, angler catch rate, angler harvest rate, and total annual harvest for crappie species and other select sport fish species such as Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Bluegill, and Muskellunge.
During 2027 – 2028, INHS scientists will be conducting fish population surveys to assess the relative abundance, size-at-age, and size structure of Black Crappie and White Crappie populations in Lake Shelbyville. This work will also be conducted in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.