Question for the IL fishermen...

[tyrius.]

my brother is getting married and wants to take a fishing trip for his bachelor party.  Sounds great to me!!  Anyways, we fish from the shore, but would like to go to a lake that rents boats (preferably with electronics).  Lake Shelbyville seems to have some available and there are other fish species there like muskie, white bass, etc for everyone to enjoy.  We're from the Chicago 'burbs.  Any other good options for us to look into?  We'd be open to Wisconsin also.  Thanks in advance.

[bassdocktor]

Hey Shelbyville has alot of nice places to stay too. Heidecke Lake also comes to mind if you are looking for a retal, prob just a day trip since you are over in the burbs. Also agian just a day trip but Tampier and Maple lake in the Cook County Forest Preserves also rent boats. Those are either gonna be row or electric. I'm sure Wisonsin would have more options especially if you are looking for a weekend trip.

[wildmanII]

whats the date of the bachelor party that would help.

[Duma]

If you guys wanna do it up in style and don't mind spending a few more bucks, go up to Galena to Eagle Lake in Eagle Ridge Resort.  They rent condos there for the weekend and have great golfing as well.  The area has rolling hills and is absolutely beautiful.  The fishing's also verry good.  Largemouth and Tiger Muskie abound

PS--There are cool bars there too where you guys can party at after a day on the lake

[tyrius.]

whats the date of the bachelor party that would help.

Any time in July or August.

[marcoman]

Did you ever consider using a guide?

[tyrius.]

/

Did you ever consider using a guide?

That seems to be one of the pluses of Shelbyville.  We can rent our own boats with electronics and/or hire a guide.  So the answer to your question is Yes.

[Gummybear]

I got a row boat with one paddle and i will guide you to water. For a low low cost of...(hhmmm i wonder how much i can get).... How about you send me a bid and i will get back to you ;D

P.S. that has got to be the BEST idea for a bachlor Party ever!!!!

I think I have found what i will do for mine.

[XbassmasterX]

sounds amazing

dont forget that shabbona has state record muskie and other fish and is very close and can get guides for shab could be an opion ;D

[HesterIsGod]

I wouldnt recommend shelbyville especially in midsummer, a lot of water traffic. I would go to a smaller lake or chain of lakes, like Mazonia, or some of the forest preserve lakes. Im also going down south in Illinois for some fishing in a buddies chain of private ponds, great fishing. Their is room for a few more to come down, Shoot me a PM if your interested.

[tyrius.]

I wouldnt recommend shelbyville especially in midsummer, a lot of water traffic. I would go to a smaller lake or chain of lakes, like Mazonia, or some of the forest preserve lakes.

I'll look into those, but Shelbyville is definately leading the race right now.  There are ponds/spillway for thsoe who don't want to pay for a guide or a boat.  It's got nearly all of the major fish species (my dad likes white bass fishing).

Im also going down south in Illinois for some fishing in a buddies chain of private ponds, great fishing. Their is room for a few more to come down, Shoot me a PM if your interested.

Shelbyville is central IL!!  I grew up fairly close to there (near Effingham).  He's planning on having about 12 people come on this trip.  All with a variety of fishing experience and addiction levels (mine probably being the highest!)  

Thanks for the offer though.  How far south are you talking about?

[HesterIsGod]

Tyrius,

I didnt know you guys liked multispecies fishing! Shelbyville has great white bass fishing, owns the state record muskie, and has some semi-consistant crappie and cat fishing. So, it is a good choice for multiple species. There is a guide that i read about in a pamphlet or something like that last year, he caught the lake record white bass and i guess he is pretty good. Cant remember his name though, sorry.

[hamer08]

I would spend the money on a guide, especially since you need to rent a boat. That time of year, you could do an early morning guided trip and get big numbers of white bass. Then spend the rest on the time in a more leisure mode.

[JT Bagwell]

I wouldnt recommend shelbyville especially in midsummer, a lot of water traffic. I would go to a smaller lake or chain of lakes, like Mazonia, or some of the forest preserve lakes. Im also going down south in Illinois for some fishing in a buddies chain of private ponds, great fishing. Their is room for a few more to come down, Shoot me a PM if your interested.

I can 2nd the fact that Shelbyville gets tons of boat traffic in the summer. I was fishing a tournament there about 6 years ago and hit so many boat wakes that I thought I broke my ribs. I couldn't believe the number of boats flying around that place. It is a nice lake though.

I did a similar thing with my bachelor party. A bunch of my bass fishing buddies met at a smaller lake here in North West, Illinois and we fished all day.

JT Bagwell

[Lorne]

Good luck with all of the boat traffic. Once it really gets hot down here in July/August there is way too much traffic on Lake Shelbyville. Besides other fishing boats there will be a crap load of pwc's and large boats since it is one of the only lakes in central IL that is large enough for higher hp boats to stretch their legs.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

8-)

[tyrius.]

Good luck with all of the boat traffic. Once it really gets hot down here in July/August there is way too much traffic on Lake Shelbyville. Besides other fishing boats there will be a crap load of pwc's and large boats since it is one of the only lakes in central IL that is large enough for higher hp boats to stretch their legs.

You have any other suggested locations?  We'll have 10-12 people and would like to hire guides for at least one day since the lake is so large.  Plus, I've never fished with a guide for bass and it would probably help me out a lot.

[hamer08]

I would adjust your timing and expectations, rather than location. In July and August, the best fishing will be very early in the morning and late evening (little pleasure boaters). You should talk to your guide(s) for their suggestions. I know one guide liked to be on the water 1/2 hr before sunrise and fish from ~4:30 -7:30am, but caught boat loads of white bass. I personally would rather get up at 3:30 in the morning, than deal with the heat, sun, pleasure boaters and poorer fishing at high noon. Then you could also try bank fishing for catfish at night.

[tyrius.]

I would adjust your timing and expectations, rather than location. In July and August, the best fishing will be very early in the morning and late evening (little pleasure boaters). You should talk to your guide(s) for their suggestions. I know one guide liked to be on the water 1/2 hr before sunrise and fish from ~4:30 -7:30am, but caught boat loads of white bass. I personally would rather get up at 3:30 in the morning, than deal with the heat, sun, pleasure boaters and poorer fishing at high noon. Then you could also try bank fishing for catfish at night.

Pre-sunrise is most certainly an option.  I was assuming that I would be on the water pre-sunup.  Maybe even nap during the early afternoon!  

The plan I'm thinking of right now is to get in Thurs night.  Fish most of the day on Friday and early Saturday.  Then maybe rent a pontoon boat for Saturday afternoon and just relax on the water!  Maybe fish some Sunday morning too (can't do too much fishing)!

Got any guide recommendations?  I found a few on the 'net, but have no one to let me know if they are good or bad.

Thanks!