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Shabbona Lake

Boat Ramps
1
Access Points
1
Species
15

Shabbona Lake is a 318-acre man-made fishing lake created in 1974 by damming Indian Creek. It has an average depth of 17.5 feet with maximum depth of 40 feet and is located in DeKalb County, IL, about 80 miles west of Chicago. The lake was built specifically as a fishing lake with intentionally preserved structure including stump fields, sunken roadbeds, bridges, and old building foundations.

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

  • Walleye41,511 fish · 2.0 in2026
  • Striped Bass X White Bass (wiper)7,116 fish · 2.0 in2026
  • Smallmouth Bass5,139 fish · 2.0 in2026
  • Muskellunge327 fish · Adults2026
  • Largemouth Bass17,757 fish · 2.0 in2026

Source

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

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Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Shabbona Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Shabbona Lake State Park Boat Ramp

Shabbona Lake State Park Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on Shabbona Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Illinois licenses and regulations

Illinois Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Illinois Fishing License

All individuals who are 16 and over are required to have a fishing license. All youth who are below 16 may fish without a license.

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Illinois Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Illinois Steam Access Laws

If the waterway is navigable in fact and the streambed is publicly owned, it is most likely fully accessible. If the streambed is privately owned, it is only accessible for navigation, not for hunting, fishing or portage.

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Take Shabbona Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

  • Use the map without signal

    Download the map around Shabbona Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Shabbona Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.

  • HD depth charts from Garmin

    Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Shabbona Lake and check the forecast before you go.

No forecast data available.

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