Central IL Boating

[jeff.nelson83]

Hello everyone, I boat at Clinton Lake IL, anybody else?

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Central IL Boating

I've considered checking out Clinton, always heard nice things about it. I'm on Lake Shelbyville 99% of the time I'm on the water. I've been on several others and havn't found one I like more than Shelbyville. Any compelling reason I should check it out this summer???

 

[geneseo1911]

Re: Central IL Boating

Well, we have a nuclear heater, for one.

I like Clinton because there are fewer shallow areas that you have to watch out for, and it is usually a bit quieter than Shelbyville, IME. It also helps that my in-laws live close so we can make a weekend of it. I also see less drunks and idiots at Clinton, partly because there isn't a bar (or three).

 

[maproy99]

Re: Central IL Boating

Yea, where else do you find a HEATED LAKE!!! HOT TUB HOT!! I like Clinton lake, been almost 7 years since I have been there on a weekend though. Did the semi bad economy slow down the mobs of boats on the weekend yet? During the week days, you feel like you are on a semi privet lake.
Last year I got out there in OCTOBER in ILLINOIS and was SKIING without a wetsuit. Got kinda chilly when the sun went down though. Anyone else on iboats go to Clinton Lake?

 

[jeff.nelson83]

Re: Central IL Boating

Is Shelbyville bigger than Clinton?

 

[Brian66D]

Re: Central IL Boating

Is Shelbyville bigger than Clinton?

lol its at least double in size.

I do most of my boating on LAKE DECATUR, where its greater!
Not really, but its 30 seconds away so trailering to another city isn't worth it most of the time.

We usually make 3-4 trips to shelbyville per year. We put in at wilborn creek and turn right about 300 yards over to the island and pull up on the beach. Nice to have sand under your feet....Also nice to have a spot to put more than 4 boats together (new law)

Clinton lake doesn't see much action from me...I went out one time last year. We have been trying to catch a nice day to go up there to utilize the warm water before summer hits but haven't had a good enough weekend day that we've had time yet...I've got the itch to wakeboard like you wouldn't believe

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Central IL Boating

Clinton is ~4900 acres and Shelbyville is ~11000 acres. Having grown up in Moultrie county and on the water of Lake Shelbyville I almost cannot fathom the idea of a smaller lake.

Brian66D, there's a small sandy area on the southwest side of the trestle bridge that we like. On most weekdays when the wife and I are out without the kids we've got the place to ourselves. There gets to be quite a few people there on the weekends and it's virtually inaccessable by foot (unless walking a mile on the railroad tracks to get to the lake is your thing). Check it out sometime, and if you see an avocado green '72 Starcraft Super Sport come over and introduce yourself!

 

[Brian66D]

Re: Central IL Boating

Clinton is ~4900 acres and Shelbyville is ~11000 acres. Having grown up in Moultrie county and on the water of Lake Shelbyville I almost cannot fathom the idea of a smaller lake.

Brian66D, there's a small sandy area on the southwest side of the trestle bridge that we like. On most weekdays when the wife and I are out without the kids we've got the place to ourselves. There gets to be quite a few people there on the weekends and it's virtually inaccessable by foot (unless walking a mile on the railroad tracks to get to the lake is your thing). Check it out sometime, and if you see an avocado green '72 Starcraft Super Sport come over and introduce yourself!

I'm sure not many people would travel to put in on Lake Decatur but it really isn't a bad body of water. They just dredged a whole nother basin that will be available this season that wasn't last.

I have no idea where the trestle bridge is lol. If it isn't close to wilborn I won't ever see it...and most times when we come down we bring a crew of 8 boats on average so wherever we go needs to be a decent sized place where you can pull right up on the bank. At home we can tie up 20 boats together and not have problems, but I think on Shelbyville 4 is the limit?

 

[AlmostFamous]

Re: Central IL Boating

Love Clinton Lake! It looks amazing when your only real alternative is the IL river. It's about 1 hour away from Peoria but totally worth the drive.

I usually get a lot of grief from the wife/friends over the drive, but after we get out on the water those comments fade quickly.

 

[scottwill2]

Re: Central IL Boating

We go to Otter Lake just west of the Farmersville/Girard exit 72. Lots of rules but we love it!!! Around 800 acres but is aprox 5 miles long. 115 HP outboard only limit. No jet skis!!! Great quiet lake for skiing, tubing, wakeboarding...ect. It is one of the deepest lakes in Illinois...average depth is 27 FT!!!! Not much risk of ripping off your lower unit. Plenty of nice sandy coves to pull in to. The party is generally pretty good. As of right now there is no overnight camping...but their working on it!!! There is aprox 200 campsites but there all private. We lease a yearly spot. Practically live there all summer long!!!

Clinton is good too...were actually closer to Clinton being from just south of Peoria..But I haven't seen DNR at Otter lake on the water in 5 years!! Like I said...quiet!!!

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Central IL Boating

I'm sure not many people would travel to put in on Lake Decatur but it really isn't a bad body of water. They just dredged a whole nother basin that will be available this season that wasn't last.

I have no idea where the trestle bridge is lol. If it isn't close to wilborn I won't ever see it...and most times when we come down we bring a crew of 8 boats on average so wherever we go needs to be a decent sized place where you can pull right up on the bank. At home we can tie up 20 boats together and not have problems, but I think on Shelbyville 4 is the limit?

Five can tie up without a permit. It's on the first page on the right hand side.

The trestle bridge is just south of the Wilborn Creek boat launch around the corner not even a half mile away. Go towards the sound of the trains lol. Also, if you hear the train's horn going off like crazy near the bridge that means there's a lady putting on a show. The boat races are worth seeing once or twice too!

 

[Brian66D]

Re: Central IL Boating

Five can tie up without a permit. It's on the first page on the right hand side.

The trestle bridge is just south of the Wilborn Creek boat launch around the corner not even a half mile away. Go towards the sound of the trains lol. Also, if you hear the train's horn going off like crazy near the bridge that means there's a lady putting on a show. The boat races are worth seeing once or twice too!

Do you know the island that I was talking about previously? The bridge can't be far because we literally drive the boat for less than 5 minutes off the ramp to get there... We usually ski and wakeboard around it. I did see a 38'ish rinker hit the sandbar on the far side going 40+ mph one time trying to cut off our pull boat pulling 5 skiers at once...that was kind of scary watching that...but he got off and limped it away and thats the last I saw of it.

We are definitely a group that likes to have fun, if people are partying like that we're in! haha

 

[Brian66D]

Re: Central IL Boating

We go to Otter Lake just west of the Farmersville/Girard exit 72. Lots of rules but we love it!!! Around 800 acres but is aprox 5 miles long. 115 HP outboard only limit. No jet skis!!! Great quiet lake for skiing, tubing, wakeboarding...ect. It is one of the deepest lakes in Illinois...average depth is 27 FT!!!! Not much risk of ripping off your lower unit. Plenty of nice sandy coves to pull in to. The party is generally pretty good. As of right now there is no overnight camping...but their working on it!!! There is aprox 200 campsites but there all private. We lease a yearly spot. Practically live there all summer long!!!

Clinton is good too...were actually closer to Clinton being from just south of Peoria..But I haven't seen DNR at Otter lake on the water in 5 years!! Like I said...quiet!!!

...how can you wakeboard behind 115HP? lulz is that even possible

 

[scottwill2]

Re: Central IL Boating

...Do it all the time. How much motor do u think u need to pull a wakeboard?????

 

[Brian66D]

Re: Central IL Boating

...Do it all the time. How much motor do u think u need to pull a wakeboard?????

I'm not sure what kind of wakeboarding you do...but how much wake can a boat putting out 115hp put out? So basically very few I/O are allowed on the lake and NO inboards are allowed...

Nothing against your lake or anything...but doesn't sound like fun to me. I'm not sure a 115 could pull me up and i'm just shy of 200lbs

 

[JRgt205]

Re: Central IL Boating

Shelbyville is worth the drive. Been there for a few weekdays one summer around 1998....the lake was empty all week. stayed at the eagle creek resort. fun time. seen lots of pontoons parked at the 2 marinas at the time. I recall fish jumping out of the water as I was cruising around. we tried to go to lake Springfield also but it was closed due to ecoli in the water.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Central IL Boating

Do you know the island that I was talking about previously? The bridge can't be far because we literally drive the boat for less than 5 minutes off the ramp to get there... We usually ski and wakeboard around it. I did see a 38'ish rinker hit the sandbar on the far side going 40+ mph one time trying to cut off our pull boat pulling 5 skiers at once...that was kind of scary watching that...but he got off and limped it away and thats the last I saw of it.

We are definitely a group that likes to have fun, if people are partying like that we're in! haha

Yeah, I know the island and both sandbars. That area is what the locals call "Cornbread Bottoms". There's alledgedly quite a bit of farm implements that didn't get removed when the lake was formed and they succombed to the water. The bridge is the other way. Even at normal pool that area is very, very shallow so we avoid it for the most part unless we're Crappie fishing. If you havn't ventured past the trestle bridge you're missing out on 95% of the lake...not that you need to burn 100 gallons of fuel and make a midnight "dam run" like we used to do but still, you should venture out!

If you're into the party crowd you're doing yourself a disservice not going to Cove 5 at least once on a weekend. The first time I went to Cove 5 (15 years ago in high school when you never, EVER saw a Conservation Officer) there was a huge party barge with a live band and....um....well....let's just say there was a live show going on and us high school guys really enjoyed ourselves. Not much has changed in 15 years either. It's as though clothing is prohibited past the no wake bouys. Get a depth chart and look for point number 5. You'll be glad you did....

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Central IL Boating

Shelbyville is worth the drive. Been there for a few weekdays one summer around 1998....the lake was empty all week. stayed at the eagle creek resort. fun time. seen lots of pontoons parked at the 2 marinas at the time. I recall fish jumping out of the water as I was cruising around. we tried to go to lake Springfield also but it was closed due to ecoli in the water.

The Eagle Creek Resort is closed and abandoned now due to a massive mold issue but the golf course is still open. It's very, very odd to see the docks, decks, and entire resort completely void of people in the summer.

It used to be a really nice place though....

 

[Brian66D]

Re: Central IL Boating

Yeah, I know the island and both sandbars. That area is what the locals call "Cornbread Bottoms". There's alledgedly quite a bit of farm implements that didn't get removed when the lake was formed and they succombed to the water. The bridge is the other way. Even at normal pool that area is very, very shallow so we avoid it for the most part unless we're Crappie fishing. If you havn't ventured past the trestle bridge you're missing out on 95% of the lake...not that you need to burn 100 gallons of fuel and make a midnight "dam run" like we used to do but still, you should venture out!

If you're into the party crowd you're doing yourself a disservice not going to Cove 5 at least once on a weekend. The first time I went to Cove 5 (15 years ago in high school when you never, EVER saw a Conservation Officer) there was a huge party barge with a live band and....um....well....let's just say there was a live show going on and us high school guys really enjoyed ourselves. Not much has changed in 15 years either. It's as though clothing is prohibited past the no wake bouys. Get a depth chart and look for point number 5. You'll be glad you did....

There is a deep area on the back side of the island that doesn't seem to have any bars or any shallow areas that would be a danger while wakeboarding...

Do you have a link to a basin map(or whatever you call in/point map)/map of the lake? I could not find one and we've honestly never really cared to venture out any farther, because hanging out on that island is pretty cool in our book and it is something we don't get to do on Lake Decatur...but who shouldn't be curious about basin 5 right?? I can't imagine a lot of us making the trip if its more than 10/15 minute boat ride from wilborn... I'm sure my girlfriend and I would be in but I'm not so sure our group would want to take a 30 minute trip.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Central IL Boating

This is a pretty good map.



Point 5 (and the cove just to the north of it aka cove 5) is just southeast of Findlay bridge. I'm betting it's no more that 5-7 minutes at a 30 mph cruise from Wilborn to cove 5. Stay to the south of the cove when you come in...it's really, really shallow near east shore just before the cove.