Entry ID229
Friends of Reservoirs Member/Group Sponsoring the ProjectLake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance
Project Leader Contact InformationLee Mitchell
Phone(217) 774-3951
EmailEmail hidden; Javascript is required.
Address1989 IL-16
Shelbyville, Illinois 62565
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Project Information
Reservoir NameLake Shelbyville
Google Maps Locationgoogle.com
Please describe the project objective(s).

This project is proposed to introduce long-lasting structural and biological habitat, inhibit shoreline erosion on highly eroded areas, inhibit mobilization of sediment and nutrients, and maintain connectivity of coves to the main lake. The benefits expected include; increased complexity and diversity of habitat for fish and other wildlife, decreased turbidity, siltation, and nutrient loading for improved water quality, and improve deep water refuge availability during summer stratification to provide increased density of priority game fishes and other desirable organisms for greater quality of experiences for anglers, hunters, ecotourists, and increase local business revenue for increased quality of life for all residents within the influence of the reservoir.

Please describe the project methods. Will the product be used in conjunction with existing habitat restoration efforts on the reservoir? Will the product supplement natural brush, rock, or other materials being added to the reservoir?

The Mossback products hopefully will be constructed and deployed at the annual fish attractor project in March, 2020. This event attracted 135+ volunteers last March, 2019. These will supplement: USACE, IDNR, and Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance have placed 10K+ discarded Christmas trees (since 1986), 420+ porcupine balls (2012), 125 Georgia cubes (since 2016), 400 Lake Shelbyville cubes (since 2016), 50+ recycled plumber testing structures (2017), 45 tons of rip-rap (2015), in addition to numerous efforts in establishing 10K+ aquatic plants (2001) . We will attempt to involve youth groups in these endeavors.

Will state fish and wildlife agency staff be directly involved in the project? How so (planning, site selection, participation in installation)? Is there an associated lake or habitat management plan that states the need for structural habitat enhancement?

Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Reservoir Fisheries Biologist, Michael Mounce, will be involved in all aspects of planning, development, site selection, participation in installation. This will be highly coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' staff, and with both the Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance's Executive Committee and Placement Committee members. We will attempt to involve youth groups in these endeavors.

List the species that the project is expected to benefit:

Largemouth bass (all life stages), white crappie, black crappie, bluegill, muskellunge, walleye, sauger, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, striped bass, smallmouth bass, yellow bass, freshwater drum, gizzard shad, epiphytic insect larvae, invertebrates, zooplankton, and phytoplankton

How do you plan to conduct outreach and advertise the project? (Examples: on-site signage, press releases, websites, message boards)

We will construct plywood signs to be placed at 5 major boat ramps listing major contributors to habitat projects, including Mossback Fish Habitat, Friends of Reservoirs, National Fish Habitat Partnership, USACE, IDNR, Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance, INHS, and other major contributors. We already utilize press releases distributed to a wide ranging list through the USACE and hold an annual “State of the Lake” in May, highlighting habitat projects and partnerships. We have and will continue to make radio show appearances to promote and update these efforts and contributors. The “Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance” has an established Facebook page with frequent updates. The USACE has an established Facebook page and webpage in which we will post updates. The IDNR has two Facebook pages we can post updates. Local business, Chip’s Marine, and fishing clubs post updates on their Facebook pages and/or websites. We continue to provide information and encourage them to continue to publicize our activities, include grant awards from the organizations mentioned above and others. Oral presentations will be made to National Professional meetings regarding the progress of the LSFHA.

Upload at least one letter of support from a representative of the state fish and wildlife management agency:
Partnership and Budget
Does the project involve one or more youth groups?Yes
Please list all partners involved in the project:
Partner Name Type of Partner Cash Contribution In-Kind Contribution In-Kind Value
see attached spreadsheet
Shelbyville High School Bass Fishing Team highlighted on spreadsheet