REGION V
Although the crappie population at Crab Orchard Lake can be cyclical, it is in excellent shape right now, according to DNR biologist Chris Bickers. The population and average size can change from year to year depending upon spawning success. It has been a little on the low side but is presently on an upswing.

Regulations were changed on Rend in 2004 to limit the creel on crappies to 25 per day, with no more than 10 being greater than 10 inches. Last fall, sampling showed some 28 percent of the fish collected were greater than 10 inches. The harvest of fish over 10 inches has increased some 80 percent since before the regulation was put in place.

Black crappies outnumber white crappies here by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio. During the most recent sampling, white crappies were averaging a very respectable size. Some 85 percent were over 8 inches long, with 50 percent being over 10 inches. There should be a higher percentage of black crappies reaching 10 inches this year. Sampling from the fall of 2005 showed most blacks averaging just over 8 inches.

A great shad population is the key to this successful crappie fishery. The DNR stocks threadfin shad each spring. Cooling water in late fall causes many of these shad to die, and they become easy prey for the crappies as the shad become weak. This late-year feeding opportunity allows the papermouths to enter wintertime in excellent condition.

Anglers have good success in late winter by the riprap around bridge pilings. Crappies can often be found in water from 6 to 10 feet deep from February through early March. From late March and into April, they will move into the shoreline and be found around brush and willow stems. The onset of warming summer water will push the crappies back out toward deeper haunts. Small jigs and minnows are favored baits for most local anglers at Crab Orchard.

This 6,965-acre lake is located in Williamson County just three miles east of Carbondale. Anglers are required to have a user permit before fishing the lake.

To obtain information on this permit as well as lake information and other fishing regulations, contact the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge at (618) 997-3344. Another source of information on the Crab Orchard area is the Carbondale Convention & Tourism Bureau at 1-800-526-1500.

Anglers also have good success on crappies at Rend Lake in Franklin and Jefferson counties. DNR biologist Mike Hooe said the fishery has done exceptionally well recently.

Regulations were changed on Rend in 2004 to limit the creel on crappies to 25 per day, with no more than 10 being greater than 10 inches. Last fall, sampling showed some 28 percent of the fish collected were greater than 10 inches. The harvest of fish over 10 inches has increased some 80 percent since before the regulation was put in place. Hooe said the regulation has helped increase the numbers of crappies, as well as improve the size structure.