About mid-March last spring, my nephew Darrin Marcure called my cell phone from a sporting goods store in northern Illinois with questions about buying a new ice-fishing rod. When Darrin called, I was getting a fishing lesson on Little Grassy Lake in southern Illinois from bassin' legend Fred Washburn. The only consolation for being so disgustingly outfished by the Fredinator was that I was wearing a T-shirt downstate, while Darrin was watching it snow in the north.

During seasonal change in spring and fall, there is about a week's difference in weather and fish activity for every 100 miles traveled north or south. In Illinois, this translates to fully eight weeks each year when it is possible to be on the cusp of a hot bite. For example, it may be winter right now in the Chicago suburbs, but crappies are already moving into shallow water down on Horseshoe Lake near Cairo.

The following is our annual look at 36 hotspots to get your string stretched in the 12 months ahead.

JANUARY
Pool 12 Crappies
The first hint of a January thaw will raise the water level on the Mississippi River, which pushes crappies close to the railroad tracks at Kehough Slough north of Galena. When the water clears up enough to see your ice jig 6 inches below the hole, the slab crappies go on a real rip.

The folks at Tri-Lakes Sporting Goods can tell you when to go fishing in far northwestern Illinois. Call them at (815) 369-5520.

Smithland Pool Striped Bass
Huge striped bass and hybrid striped bass are active all winter long on Illinois' elbow of the Ohio River. Blade baits and Lindy-rigged live baits are top weapons. Keep a rod rigged with a topwater bait, too, and watch for dive-bombing gulls indicating striper location. Contact: Golconda Marina, (618) 683-5875.

Fox Chain Panfish
Green weeds hide crappies, bluegills and perch all winter long on this northeast Illinois chain of lakes. The two top baits here are a blue/glow Genz Fat Boy with a plastic red Lindy Teeny Tail, and a green/black Marmooksa. Contact: Triangle Bait Shop, (847) 395-0813.

FEBRUARY
Sangchris Lake Striped Bass
Water temperature drives striped bass location in this cooling lake near Springfield.

Troll crankbaits, jig blade baits and fish fresh-cut shad on heavy gear spooled with plenty of line, because these fish are screamers!

Contact: Sangchris Corner Bait Shop, (217) 623-5252; or e-mail ankerhill@aol.com

Shabbona Lake Channel Catfish
Two red worms impaled on a small hook with a split shot will catch hefty channel cats from under the ice on this De Kalb County lake. Fish around the old building foundations. These cats tend to suspend halfway down rather than hugging the bottom. Ice-fishing for catfish! Who woulda thunk it? Contact: Shabbona Lakeside Bait, (815) 824-2581.

Farm Pond Bluegills
Contact the county SCS office for a list of property owners with farm ponds. A county plat book will tell you who owns the land. Once permission is obtained, it doesn't take long to ascertain fish activity level and location on a 1/2-acre sheet of ice.

MARCH
Illinois River Saugers
Our namesake river has a national reputation as a sauger fishery.

Right now, saugers are moving shallower and pushing upstream in preparation for spawning, which occurs about mid-month. Vertical jigging and "pulling" three-way rigs with a heavy jig and soft floating jig tipped with a minnow are productive.

Contact: Cajun Sports, (815) 667-4222.

Kinkaid Lake Muskies
Target shallower, more stained water with twitchbaits like the Jake. Muskies here like to relate to downed trees and other wood. Any place where you find water entering the lake is also good. Contact: Kinkaid Lake Guide Service, (618) 985-4105.

Otter Lake Muskies
This 723-acre Macoupin County lake has a truly diverse fishery. Our next state-record muskie is cruising within 100 yards of Highway 12 right now -- if she isn't hanging around a northside main-lake point. Been there, saw her!