Bluegill Open At Shabbona Lake

July 17th will be the date of the Shabbona Lake Bluegill Open. The hours will be 6 AM - 7 PM. The winner will be determined by the Heaviest Bluegill Stringer, up to limit of ten fish.

A family stringer will be allowed at the Bluegill Open, this does not include boat partners that are not part of your immediate family (Mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, or grandparents
only).

Bluegill may be weighed in anytime prior to 7 PM. Prizes will be for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, $100, $50 & $25 respectfully. The Bluegill bite is on and they will be plentiful, hungry & easy to
catch.

We will have a Walleye stocking donation jar, set up at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental, for the Bluegill Open. If you donate $5.00 or more to the Walleye Fund, and you place 1st in the Bluegill Open, your cash prize will be doubled.

Pokanoka's Cafe will also be offering its famous "Dollar Day Specials" on July 17th.

Lakeside is now taking reservations for Bass Boat, Pontoon, Gary Special, Motor Boat or Row Boat!!! Go to http://www.shabbonalake.com/online.html Or Call 815-824-2581

NEW FOR 2010 - $5.00 off on all day boat reservation at Lakeside, if made in advance 24+
hours.

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.

In an attempt to provide a little friendly competition among average everyday fisherpersons, Shabbona’s Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental will sponsor 6 fishing opens from April – September in 2010. 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 has been allowed to have the Fishing Opens because it is a fee-less event. There is no entry fee, and prizes are "open" to anyone.

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.

“Pokanoka’s Café sure knows how to fry fish”
Dateline : DeKalb Chronicle, Saturday, July 4th, 2009 - By “Mystery Diner”

“Nothing goes with Friday nights like fried fish. Throw in a burger and fries and I’m in Friday-night heaven. I must disclose that I am not the pickiest critic when it comes to fish fry and burgers, but Pokanoka’s Café at Shabbona Lake State Park exceeded every standard. Sitting just a hundred yards or so from Shabbona Lake, Pokanoka’s offers a uniquely laid back dining experience. Within minutes of sitting, our server stopped by to introduce herself and take our drink orders. She was extremely polite and we could tell immediately that service would not be an issue at Pokanoka’s.

For our meals, we shared one fish fry dinner and the cafe’s special, Pokanoka Burger. The fish itself was great: the breading was subtly spiced and had more flavor than any fish fry I can remember in recent years. It was perfectly crunchy and the cod inside was very well cooked. As for the burger, my first thoughts were something along the line of “Oh Man, this is the best burger I’ve ever had! While I must admit I have had this feeling with many burgers past, Pokanoka’s version was great in its own right.

Pokanoka’s Café is unique and excellent. Blending the relaxed, outdoors atmosphere of the state park in which it sits, with the culinary expertise of the best pub food around, Pokanoka’s can count on seeing me again many times in the future.”

*** The Mystery Diner is an employee in the newsroom at the DeKalb Illinois Daily Chronicle. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant before or during the meal. The diner visits a different restaurant in DeKalb County, Illinois, each week.

Expanded Breakfast Hours
Pokanoka’s - Located On The Shores Of Shabbona Lake
Saturday & Sunday
7AM - 11 AM
“No better way to start your day, than breakfast at the water’s edge.
Try our famous Fisherman’s Catch or one of our delicious skillets.”

New For 2010 : Canadian Style Shore Lunch $9.99Two large pieces of Pollack, Deep Fried Potatoes w/onions, Baked Beans, Dinner Roll, Applesauce & Medium Drink

Friday Night Jumbo Fish Dinners At Pokanoka’s
5:00PM - 8:00 PM (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Includes hearty fish portions, boule bread, vegetable, cup of soup or salad, and choice of potato - garlic mashed, baked or fries, baked apples with ice cream.
Walleye $13.99 Icelandic Cod $11.99 Bluegill - $11.99 Catfish $10.99 Pangasius $10.99

Pokanoka’s Summer Hours Memorial Day - Labor Day

Monday - Thursday 11 AM - 5 PM, Friday 11 AM - 8 PM, Saturday 7 AM - 8 PM, Sunday 7 AM - 7PM

Join us on Facebook. Search Shabbona Lakeside Bait, Tackle and Boat Rental!

BASS Open Saturday June 19th !!!

2010 Shabbona Lake Fishing Open Dates
April 17th Walleye Open 6 AM - 9:30 PM
May 15th Crappie Open 6 AM – 7 PM
June 19th Bass Open 6 AM – 7 PM
July 17th Bluegill Open 6 AM - 7 PM
August 21st Catfish Open 6 AM – 7 PM
September 18th Muskie Open 6 AM – 7 PM

Check Out 2009 Fish Pictures at : http://s468.photobucket.com/albums/rr46/shabbonalake/2009%20Fish%20Pics/

Check out more Shabbona Lake photos at : http://s468.photobucket.com/home/shabbonalake/allalbums

2010 Boat Rental Prices or Reserve a boat online