Lake Shelbyville has both Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish.

Flathead Cats are common and get to me enormous in size. The lake record so far is an incredible 62 pounds 10 oz but biologist feel there should be a few in the lake that are even bigger. Flathead catfish are also common in the lake and are the main target for Catfish hunters.

Channel Catfish numbers are fairly low considering the time they have had to proliferate. It has been suggested that the Flathead Catch are just too much competition for available resources and have kept Channel Cat numbers from growing. The largest Cannel Catfish caught so far in Lake Shelbyville, which is known to biologist, was 8 pounds. 95% of Catch that anglers catch are Flatheads.

Lake Shelbyville has no cottages or resorts on its shores. Robin Hood Woods is only 2.5 miles from Lake Shelbyville and its multiple boat-launches.

Catfish - fair - good - Very low numbers of channel catfish were collected during recent surveys, with the largest in 2010 being 27 inches and 8 lbs. As usual, few flathead catfish were collected as well, with the largest measuring 37 inches and 33 lbs. The lake record flathead, weighing 62 lbs. was caught in 2002. Channel catfish recruitment appears to have improved though, as good catches of harvestable "fiddler-size" channel catfish were reported by fishermen in fall 2010. Flathead catfish recruitment appears to be variable, but apparently low. Fishermen report variable, but fair success. Fishing prospects for 2011 are improved to good for numbers and fair for size.