Spillway (IL)

Overview

Spillway is a day use area on the shore of the Kaskaskia River just below the Lake Shelbyville dam.

Situated in the heart of central Illinois, the river, lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, picnicking and simply relaxing by the water.

Natural Features:

This facility is mostly open with some wooded areas. Oak and hickory are the dominant tree species.

Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer.

Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink.

Recreation:

Spillway is a fun place to relax along the river. It has plenty of open space and a playground for children.

Lake Shelbyville and the Kaskaskia River also offer a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. For those without boats, there are also several ponds with farmed fish available around the lake.

Hunting areas located within a short drive offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.

Facilities:

This facility has a reservable picnic shelter that can accommodate 50 people. Six picnic tables, a playground, volleyball courts, fish cleaning station, flush toilets and spigots for drinking water are provided.

Nearby Attractions:

Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.