The Shabbona Business Association is open to all businesses located in, or serving the residents of, the Village of Shabbona. In recognition of the importance of small business to a strong economy, SBA aims to help local business owners, non-profits, sales reps and managers interact with each other. With over 50 businesses within the village limits, it is essential to develop relationships that will continue to grow as our city grows. In addition to Business to Business relationships, SBA strives to foster an atmosphere of involvement and pride in our community.
Press Release
March 1, 2009
Shabbona Lake To Have 6 “Fishing Opens” During 2009
Shabbona’s Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental announces that it is sponsoring SIX “Fishing Opens” in 2009. These “Opens” will be held the 3rd Saturday of each month, from April 2009 through September 2009.The “Opens” are open to everyone. There is no charge and no sign up is required. The "Opens" are meant for everyday fisherpersons who are there to enjoy and respect Shabbona Lake.
Shabbona Lake Fishing Open Dates
April 18th Walleye Open 8 AM - 9:30 PM
May 16th Crappie Open 6 AM – 7 PM
June 20th Bass Open 6 AM – 7 PM
July 18th Bluegill Open 6 AM - 7 PM
August 15th Catfish Open 6 AM – 7 PM
September 19th Muskie Open 6 AM - 9:30 PM
Each Open will occur on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
Walleye Open Winner Heaviest single legal Walleye (18+")
Crappie Open Winner Heaviest Crappie Stinger, up to limit of ten fish
Bass Open Winner Heaviest single legal Bass (14+")
Bluegill Open Winner Heaviest Bluegill Stinger, up to limit of ten fish
Catfish Open Winner Heaviest Catfish Stinger, up to limit of six fish
Muskie Open Winner Longest Muskie of the Day
We will have 1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes. $100, $50, $25. Weigh in will be at Lakeside. Fish may be registered anytime during the hours listed above.
We will have a Walleye stocking donation jar, set up at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental, for each event. If you donate $5.00 or more to the Walleye Fund, and you place 1st in the event, your cash prize will be doubled.
Pokanoka's Cafe will also be offering its famous "Dollar Day Specials" on each of those days.
Lakeside will start taking boat reservations on March 1st for that Bass Boat, Pontoon, Gary Special, Motor Boat or Row Boat!!! Go to http://www.shabbonalake.com/online.html
NEW FOR 2009 - $5.00 off on all day boat reservation at Lakeside, if made in advance 24+ hours.
Mark Your Calendars Now!!! See you on the 3rd Saturday April thru September!!!
(For more info contact Denny Sands at denny@shabbonalake.com or 815-824-2581)
Background For Press Release
New For 2009 - For the past 3 years Lakeside has sponsored a very popular Walleye Open, which has been attended by hundreds of fisherpersons. With the coordination of the Illinois Department Of Natural Resources, we are expanding the “Opens” to include one per month for 6 months.
In an attempt to provide a little friendly competition among average everyday fisherpersons, Shabbona’s Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental is sponsoring 6 fishing opens from April - September.
Each Open will be held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Each Open will have its own targeted species. April - Walleye, May - Crappie, June - Bass, July - Bluegill, August - Catfish and September - Muskie.
While we can not have organized tournaments on Shabbona Lake, Lakeside been allowed to have the Walleye Opener because it is a fee-less event. There is no entry fee, and prizes are "open" to anyone. The same will be true for the new Opens.
Shabbona Lake, located in Southern DeKalb County, 30 miles west of Aurora, Illinois, has a fishery with State Record potential Walleye, Hybrid Crappie and Muskie. 4 State Of Illinois Record Muskie and 2 State Of Illinois Record Hybrid Crappie already adorn Shabbona’s legacy.
The Walleye Open
Under the new format, the Walleye Open is April 18th, 8 AM - 9:30 PM. The huge female, 10+ Pound, Walleye at Shabbona are typically up spawning around the 3rd week in April. Water temp is near 45 degrees and the Walleye are shallow.
Lakeside will be offering $100. for the heaviest legal Walleye caught on April 18th from Shabbona Lake. An additional $100. will be awarded, if the Walleye breaks the current lake record of 9.9 pounds. (This could very easily happen!). If that Walleye breaks the current State Of Illinois Record of 14 pounds, Lakeside will award an additional $500., making a potential payout total of $700!!!
The Crappie Open
May 16th will be the date of the Crappie Open. The hours will be 6 AM - 7 PM. The winner will be determined by the Heaviest Crappie Stinger, up to limit of ten fish. These are individual catches and anglers can not combine catches into one stringer. Crappie may be weighed in anytime prior to 7 PM. Prizes will be for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, $100, $50 & $25 respectfully.
Crappie is just finishing up the spawn in mid May and will be plentiful, hungry & easy to catch.
The Bass Open
June 20th will be the date of the Bass Open. The hours will be 6 AM - 7 PM. The winner will be determined by the heaviest legal (14+ Inch) Bass. To promote catch & release all anglers are encouraged to bring the Bass to Lakeside docks as soon as possible after the catch. It then can be weighed and released as soon as possible. Remember Shabbona Lake has a 1 per person Bass limit!
Bass may be weighed in anytime prior to 7 PM. Prizes will be for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, $100, $50 & $25 respectfully.
Bass will have spawned by mid June and should be very actively feeding.
The Bluegill Open
July 18th is the date for the Bluegill Open. The hours will be 6 AM - 7 PM. The winner will be determined by the Heaviest Bluegill Stinger, up to limit of ten fish. These are individual catches and anglers can not combine catches into one stringer. Bluegill may be weighed in anytime prior to 7 PM.
Prizes will be for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, $100, $50 & $25 respectfully.
Bluegill will be readily available in the weedbeds and suspended in the submerged tree tops.
The Catfish Open
August 15th is the date for the Catfish Open. . The hours will be 6 AM - 7 PM. The winner will be determined by the Heaviest Catfish Stinger, up to limit of six fish.
These are individual catches and anglers can not combine catches into one stringer. Catfish may be weighed in anytime prior to 7 PM. Prizes will be for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, $100, $50 & $25 respectfully.
Catfish will be plentiful in the shallows of the No Motor Zone and in weed beds that have lily pads.
The Muskie Open
September 19th is the date for the Muskie Open. The hours will be 6 AM - 9:30 PM. Please note the extended Open Hours for this Open.
Lakeside will be offering $100. for the longest Muskie caught on September 19th from Shabbona Lake. An additional $100. will be awarded, if the Muskie breaks the current lake record of 37 Pounds, 13 Ounces. (This could very easily happen!). If that Muskie breaks the current State Of Illinois Record of 38+ pounds, Lakeside will award an additional $500., making a potential payout total of $700!!!
Please note that this Open is based on length, not weight. Lakeside will have a “Judge Boat” on standby and will report to any called in catch. The Muskie will be immediately measured and released..
Conclusion
These amazing opportunities are being offered by the Illinois Department Of Natural Resources and Shabbona’s Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental as a “Thank You” to all of the sportsmen who help make Shabbona Lake State Park the greatest fishery in Illinois.
Shabbona’s Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental has a certified State Of Illinois scale to weigh any potential State Record.
Remember!!! No entry fee and no pre-registration required. Just show up and fish!!!
Check www.shabbonalake.com for more information or call Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental at 815-824-2581. Lakeside will have a limited number of rental boats available with lights for April 18th and September 19th extended hours. So make your reservations early.
We will have a Walleye stocking donation jar, set up at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental, for each event. If you donate $5.00 or more to the Walleye Fund, and you place 1st in the event, your cash prize will be doubled.
See you on the 3rd Saturday, April thru September !!!
Guidelines
1. Have Fun!! - Required!!!
2. No Pre-registration or sign up of any kind
3. No Entry Fee
4. Weigh in at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental.
5. We welcome you to rent from Lakeside, use your own boat or fish from shore. (10 HP limit on Lake)
6. Two Conservation Officers will be on duty. Please obey all laws. After dark, please move at idle speed.
7. Stop in at Pokanoka's Cafe (next to Lakeside) for Dollar Day Specials- $1 hot dog, $1 BBQ, $1 French Fries, & more!!!
8. Weigh your fish in anytime during the Open!
Shabbona’s Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental
Denny Sands (815-824-2581)
denny@shabbonalake.com
