Spring Slabs

Spring Crappie Fishing on Lake Shelbyville, IL

20 Years of Experience, Proven Tactics, and the Right Jig for the Job

There’s nothing quite like spring crappie fishing on Lake Shelbyville. As the ice melts and the days grow longer, the fish get active—and for those of us who know where to look, it’s one of the best times of year to catch both numbers and size. After 20 seasons of fishing this lake, I can say with confidence: if you understand the spring patterns and trust your BrushPile Jigs, Shelbyville will reward you.

The Spring Transition: Follow the Fish

In early spring, when the water temperature starts creeping into the high 40s and low 50s, crappie begin moving from their winter haunts in deeper water toward shallower structure. The key is to follow the breaklines—main lake points, channel bends, and mid-depth brush piles in 8 to 15 feet of water.

As the water warms closer to 60 degrees, crappie push up to spawning flats, shoreline wood, and shallow brush in 3 to 6 feet of water. This is when the action can be fast and furious.

Why Brush Piles Dominate on Shelbyville

Lake Shelbyville is a brush pile lake, plain and simple. With its combination of submerged hardwoods and natural laydowns, there’s no shortage of crappie cover. These piles act as staging areas before and after the spawn, and you can fish them effectively all spring long.

The Illinois DNR and local clubs have done an outstanding job of maintaining and improving the lake’s brush structure. With a good electronics setup—or a solid set of GPS coordinates—you can stay on active fish all day.

Best Jigs and Colors for Spring Slabs

When the bite is on, BrushPile Jigs are all you need in your box. Here’s what I rely on every spring:

• 2-Inch Dart – My go-to for cold fronts or when fish are suspended and neutral. The dart-style tail gives a slow, natural fall that triggers picky fish.

• 1.5-Inch Bandit – Perfect for the tight-lipped bite in early spring. Small but deadly.

• 2-Inch Hammer – When fish are aggressive and feeding hard, this jig has the bulk and action to provoke reaction strikes.

Top colors for Lake Shelbyville in spring:

• Electric Chicken

• Monkey Milk

• Night Rider

• Wyatt’s Blue Magic

• Junebug (especially on overcast or muddy water days)

Rig them on a 1/32 or 1/16 oz jighead depending on depth and wind, and don’t overlook a fixed float for shallow presentations. For deeper brush, I prefer a slow, vertical presentation or a pendulum cast that swings the jig just above the pile.

Spring Weather = Rapid Changes

Illinois spring weather is unpredictable. One day it’s 70 and sunny, the next it’s 45 with a cold north wind. Be flexible and ready to move with the fish. After a cold front, crappie may back off into deeper brush piles or suspend just off the edge. That’s when slowing your presentation down and downsizing your jig can save the trip.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Ignore the North End

In early spring, the north end of the lake warms up faster, especially around the Kaskaskia and Wilborn Creek arms. These areas often hold the first wave of active fish and can stay productive longer thanks to wind-protected coves and shallow structure.

Final Thoughts

Lake Shelbyville is a crappie factory in the spring if you know how to follow the fish and fish the brush. With the right approach, a solid understanding of the seasonal transitions, and a tackle box full of BrushPile Jigs, you’ll be well on your way to limit after limit.

Don’t just fish Shelbyville—fish it with confidence.

Tight lines and see you on the water!