BANNER MARSH
The Banner Marsh area is a complex mix of dozens of reclaimed lakes, with the three main lakes totaling roughly 1,200 acres. It is located 12 miles south of Peoria off Route 24. There is a 25-horsepower limit. There are two public ramps. The crappie regulations are a 9-inch minimum length limit and 25-fish creel limit. Anglers can get more information by calling Banner Marsh SFWA, (309) 647-9184.

DNR biologist Rob Hilsabeck recommended two sites for 2005.

"The 2003 and 2004 spring trap-net surveys revealed strong populations of both black and white crappies," he said. "Forty percent of the sampled crappies were more than 10 inches long in the East Point Access and the Main Access lakes. This site has a 9-inch minimum size limit and a 25-fish-per-day possession limit for crappies. This limit, coupled with a water level increase of over 5 feet that started in 1996, has created a consistent crappie fishery. The large areas of shallow water and flooded brush have provided excellent crappie habitat and lots of places for anglers to try their luck."

DOUBLE T STATE FISH & WILDLIFE AREA
The Double T SFWA, found three miles northwest of Canton, is one of the newest DNR sites and contains two lakes. Shoreline fishing is allowed and boaters are restricted to using electric trolling motors only. Crappie regulations are a 10-inch minimum length limit and 25-fish creel limit. The site phone number is (309) 647-9184.

"This site has a 64-acre final cut strip-mine lake with one concrete boat ramp, and a 14-acre lake accessible by shore or portable boat," said Hilsabeck. "The 2004 spring trap-net survey revealed a numerous black and white crappie population, with 67 percent of the sampled fish over 10 inches long. This site was first opened to the public in the fall of 2001. The gizzard shad forage base, deep-water profile and protective limit have helped create the current crappie population."

COFFEEN LAKE
This 1,100-acre cooling lake is in Montgomery County and is one mile west of Coffeen. There is a 25-horsepower maximum, and boaters can launch with larger motors only if they are used in idle. There is 10-inch minimum length limit and 10-fish creel limit for crappies. Anglers can contact site facilities at the park office at (217) 537-3351 or call Indian Grove Campground at (217) 537-3001.

"DNR Fisheries electrofished this impoundment for seven hours in the fall of 2003," said district biologist Jeff Pontnack. "We collected 257 white crappies measuring from 3.9 inches to 13.8 inches and weighing up to 1.49 pounds. Crappie reproduction and recruitment appear good at this time. A strong gizzard shad population should only benefit growth and body condition factors into the future. Population structure is excellent, although top-heavy from viewing the 2003 fall sampling information.

"An interesting thing to note of the 257 fish collected in the 2003 fall sample was that 238 white crappies (93 percent) were 9 inches or longer and 14 (5.4 percent) exceeded 12 inches in total length. The fish were heavy-bodied, and 201 white crappies (78 percent) weighed 1/2-pound or more, while 71 (28 percent) exceeded 3/4-pound. Most fish captured were found at the north end of the lake. This area is shallower, and has better vegetative cover for this species. With this solid size structure in place, anglers should be taking advantage of this strong fishery!"

Get to know your local district fishery biologist by volunteering to help out on electrofishing sampling or habitat improvement projects. District biologists appreciate the help and will pinpoint some of the best crappie fishing spots that few people really find. A new resource for maps, fishing reports and current fishing regulations is the DNR's new "I FISH ILLINOIS" Web site located at www.ifishillinois.org.