Jo Shelby Lake Fishing
A 30-acre Missouri lake in Linn County.
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What the MDC outline says about Jo Shelby Lake
Conservation department GIS puts 30 acres of water inside the Jo Shelby Lake outline in Linn County. Groceries and fuel are nearest in Meadville, roughly 5 miles away. It falls under the MDC Northwest Region. It lies on Fountain Grove Conservation Area.
The ramp layers show 1 mapped ramp.
MDC Managed Public Waterbody outlines (GIS acres, region, managing area) on gisblue.mdc.mo.gov, Census 2023 places, retrieved October 27, 2026. MDC office phone: 816-271-3100.
Launch points MDC maps around Jo Shelby Lake
- Fountain Grove Conservation Area on Jo Shelby Lakeboat ramp, parking, privy nearby; Missouri Department of Conservation
Other ramps close to Jo Shelby Lake
- Fountain Grove Conservation Area (east ramp)boat ramp, parking, privy nearby, 1 mile southeast
- Fountain Grove Conservation Area (west ramp)boat ramp, parking, 2 miles west
- Fountain Grove Conservation Area (south ramp)boat ramp, parking, 2 miles southeast
- Fountain Grove Conservation Area on Che-Ru LakeChe-Ru Lake, 2 miles southeast
- Sumner Access on Grand RiverGrand River, 6 miles southeast
MDC boat ramp/access, dock and jetty layers; USACE Little Rock District ramps and USACE recreation areas; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Keeping fish from Jo Shelby Lake legally
| Species | Daily limit and length | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky) | 6 a day | All year |
| Channel catfish | 10 a day | All year |
| Blue catfish | 5 a day | All year |
| Flathead catfish | 5 a day | All year |
| Crappie (black and white) | 30 a day | All year |
| Goggle-eye (Ozark, rock, and shadow bass) and warmouth | 15 a day; 7" minimum | All year |
| Muskellunge | 1 (daily limit is 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike); 36" minimum | All year |
| Northern pike | 1 (daily limit is 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike) | All year |
| Paddlefish (spoonbill) | 2 a day; 32" minimum (eye to fork of tail) | March 15–April 30 |
| Pickerel (chain and grass) | 6 a day | All year |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | 10 a day; 30" maximum (snout to fork of tail) | All year |
| Trout (rainbow and brown) | 4 a day; Rainbow: none; Brown: 15" minimum in streams | All year |
| Walleye and sauger | 4 a day; 15" minimum | All year |
| White, yellow, and striped bass and their hybrids | 15 a day; No more than 4 longer than 18" | All year |
For Jo Shelby Lake, read the statewide limits first, then any water-specific rule.
Limits and seasons as printed in A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2026 (MDC, effective March 1, 2026), page 20 (booklet PDF); retrieved October 27, 2026.
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Among the five closest Missouri lakes with pages, Marceline City Lake has the most water at 160 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Attractors | Species named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jo Shelby Lake | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Che-Ru Lake | 2 miles southeast | 157 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Little Compton Lake | 12 miles south | 39 | 1 | 28 | 0 |
| 7 Acre Pond | 15 miles southwest | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brookfield City Lake | 17 miles east | 94 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Marceline City Lake | 18 miles east | 160 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
MDC waterbody outlines, ramp and attractor layers, 2026 prospects; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Missouri places a short haul from Jo Shelby Lake
Missouri lakes not far from Jo Shelby Lake
- Che-Ru Lake2 miles southeast
- Little Compton Lake12 miles south
- 7 Acre Pond15 miles southwest
- Brookfield City Lake17 miles east
- Marceline City Lake18 miles east
Buying minnows and worms near Jo Shelby Lake
- Tucker's Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Brookfield, 13 miles
Missouri towns to stay in near Jo Shelby Lake
- Chillicothe13 miles
- Brookfield14 miles
- Marceline20 miles
Missouri county guides that cover Jo Shelby Lake
- Linn Countyseat: Linneus
Reels from Piscifun worth bringing to Jo Shelby Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photo guide to fish at Jo Shelby Lake
Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Photo: MONGO, CC BY-SA 3.0
Jo Shelby Lake questions, with short answers
What Missouri town is closest to Jo Shelby Lake?
MDC maps it in Linn County, the MDC Northwest Region, about 5 miles from Meadville.
Is Jo Shelby Lake a large lake for Missouri?
30 acres by MDC GIS.
How many MDC or Corps ramps serve Jo Shelby Lake?
1 mapped ramp on file, Fountain Grove Conservation Area on Jo Shelby Lake among them.
Which species live in Jo Shelby Lake?
Its fish are not listed.
How many black bass may a Missouri angler keep at Jo Shelby Lake?
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky): 6 a day; All year.
What permit does a visitor buy for Jo Shelby Lake?
Missouri anglers 16 through 64 carry a fishing permit: $14 a year for residents, $57 for nonresidents, or $9 for a daily permit.
What boating rules apply at Jo Shelby Lake?
The MDC data here prints no motor rule; check signs at the ramp.
Where do Jo Shelby Lake anglers buy supplies?
Tucker's Live Bait & Tackle is nearest at 13 miles.
Plan a day on Jo Shelby Lake
Fees, seasons and special rules are on the permit page.