This 886-acre lake in McLean County is home to both black and white crappies. The fish density is really thick and the DNR typically catches over 50 white crappies per hour while sampling. Around 36 percent of these fish were over 10 inches in length during the last survey. Black crappies average over 45 fish per hour but grow slower and generally average below 10 inches.

Catching crappies here early in the year can be slow at times, but anglers can be successful by fishing slowly and paying close attention to subtle or delicate bites. Some of the local anglers recommend the south end of the lake when fish go shallow.

A thriving population of crappies in this 2,165-acre lake can yield some really nice fish to lucky anglers. The papermouth density is not great, but there are some tremendously big crappies present. Plenty of 15-inch slabs inhabit the lake, and at least one was caught last year that measured a whopping 19 inches!

Boat anglers are required to have a launch sticker that can be purchased at the boat ramps or at the Comlara Park Visitors Center. Obtain more area information by calling the McLean County Parks & Recreation Office at (309) 726-2022, or the McLean County Chamber of Commerce at (309) 829-6344.

Clinton Lake in De Witt County offers some 5,000 acres for crappie angling. Garthaus said the fishery there has declined some, but it has been improving over about the past five years. He rates it as an average crappie fishery now, and anglers are still seeing some good fishing at various times of the year.

Historically, Clinton Lake was primarily a white crappie fishery. Garthaus said that composition started to change about 10 to 15 years ago and is more of a black crappie fishery now. The black crappie population has been pretty stable over the past five or six years. Consequently, the DNR has been trying to stock white crappies each year in an attempt to supplement natural reproduction.

The black crappies don't grow as fast in length, but generally are bulkier and weigh more than the white crappies. Electro-fishing has revealed a lot of legal-sized fish in the lake. The longest fish sampled were around 12 inches long.

There are some areas of the lake that are closed to the public and others that are closed on a seasonal basis. These areas are well marked.

Early in the year, some of the best crappie fishing occurs around some of the bridge structures near the closed area. The water tends to be warmer here, which will attract early-season fish. There are also other areas with good structure. Flooded timber and submerged fencerows are excellent attractors for papermouths. Jigs, minnows and twistertails can all be effective at times in these areas. Call the Clinton State Recreation Area office at (217) 935-8722 before fishing to learn more about the lake, regulations and closed areas. The Clinton Lake Access Areas & Fishing Guide is also a great help, and is online at www.ifishillinois.org/profiles/lakes/linton%20Lake/clinton.html. The number for the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is (217) 935-3364.