Lake Shelbyville will once again serve as the backdrop for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Bass Fishing Finals, set for Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7, 2025. The event will launch from the Dam West Boat Ramp, with takeoff each morning at 7 a.m. and weigh-ins starting at 3 p.m. both days.

To accommodate the tournament, the Dam West Recreation Area will be closed to the general public beginning at 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, and will remain restricted through 9 p.m. Saturday, June 7. Only participating teams, event staff, and spectators will be allowed in the area during that time.
Spectators are encouraged to attend and support the high school anglers. Parking will be available at the beach parking lots, and attendees can walk to the takeoff site and weigh-in area located at the Dam West Large Group Shelter.

Official practice for competing teams is scheduled for Thursday, June 5. While the area remains open to the public that day, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommends using alternative boat ramps to avoid congestion.

Other recreational spots, including Wolf Creek Beach and all other USACE-operated boat ramps, will remain open to the public throughout the event. Event organizers, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville and the City of Shelbyville, expressed their excitement about hosting the student-athletes and thanked the public for its cooperation and support. 

For additional information on the IHSA State Bass Fishing Finals, or for details about boat ramp and beach availability, contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951 or email lakeshelbyville@usace.army.mil.