REND LAKE
Rend Lake is a massive 18,900-acre reservoir located just south of Mount Vernon in Jefferson and Franklin counties. There are no motor limits, and 13 public launch ramps. There is a 25-fish daily creel limit with no more than five fish 10 inches or longer. Anglers can contact the main park office by calling Rend Lake State Park at (618) 279-3110, or for more information visit www.rendlake.com.

"The Rend Lake crappie population continues to remain in excellent condition," said Mike Hooe, the area's DNR district fishery biologist. "White crappies 8 to 11 inches in length and averaging 1/4- to 3/4-pound are abundant, and should provide excellent angling opportunities this spring. The percentage of crappies greater than 10 inches in length has more than doubled in the last two years. Data from the 2003 fall trap-net surveys indicated that 35 percent of the adult crappie population exceeded 10 inches in length. If growth rates remain at their current level, the percentage of crappies greater than 10 inches in length should increase to 60 percent or higher by now, and the number of crappies exceeding 12 inches in length should show significant improvement as well."

What can these growth rates be attributed to?

"Improvement in the size structure of the crappie population is likely due in part to length and creel limits that went into effect in April 2002," said Hooe. "The crappies in Rend Lake are relatively abundant but slow-growing. This regulation shifts the majority of the harvest toward the smaller fish, thinning their numbers and improving growth rates. As growth rates of these smaller crappies have improved, the number and percentage of large crappies in the population have increased."

SPRING LAKE
NORTH & SOUTH
Located in Tazewell County along the Illinois River, these two lakes total 1,285 acres. There is a 25-horsepower motor restriction. There are two gravel ramps and one concrete launching ramp on North Lake. South Lake has one concrete boat ramp.

Crappie regulations are a 9-inch minimum length limit and 25-fish creel limit. Information on the angling is available by calling Spring Lake State Park at (309) 968-7135 or Riverside Bait and Tackle at (309) 347-3793.

Wayne Herndon, the area's DNR district fishery biologist, spoke highly of the Spring Lakes.

"Both white and black crappies and their hybrids are present," said Herndon. "We have had multiple year-classes of good reproduction in both North and South Spring lakes. In 2004 we have attempted to control Eurasian milfoil on North Spring Lake using the herbicide, Avast. That attempt was very successful as the lake has completely opened up, allowing crappies to better forage on the available prey fish.

"We also stocked threadfin shad on North Spring Lake to enhance the forage base for crappies," Herndon continued. "This effort has also met with success. Growth and condition of crappies on North Spring Lake should be much improved because of these actions. We have collected crappies up to 15 inches in length during trap-net evaluations in March of 2004. Vegetation on South Spring Lake has also opened up due to aquatic weed controls accomplished this summer. Eurasian milfoil solid stands have given way to scattered coontail beds. This should provide excellent habitat and fishing cover for crappies.

"As on North Spring Lake, South Spring has excellent numbers of crappies in several year-classes. Fishing should be rated as very good in the lotus stickups in the spring 2005."

HENNEPIN-HOPPER LAKES
This Putnam County 2,600-acre wetland restoration managed by the Wetlands Initiative was recently opened for angling. Shore-fishing is prohibited, but boat-fishing is allowed with an electric trolling motor. The crappie regulations are a 9-inch minimum length limit and 25-fish creel limit. Call (312) 922-0777 or visit www.wetlands-initiative.org for more information.

"There is an excellent crappie population with many 10-inch-plus fish," said Herndon. Fishing is only allowed on Friday and Saturday, and no live bait or gasoline motors are allowed. The fishing season is restricted to May through September.