Central Illinois has its share of productive crappie lakes, too. Don’t overlook the Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, near Browning, in Fulton County. This 1,134-acre lake is especially noted for duck hunting in the fall, but ice-fishing for crappies is a popular winter pastime and the good fishing carries over into spring. There are two launch ramps and boat docks available, but you will have to provide your own boat.

The Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is no secret hotspot, but for some reason it doesn’t seem to get the recognition it deserves. The lake holds just about every species of game fish to be found in Illinois except muskies. Spring crappie fishing is very good below the spillway of the dam. You can hardly go wrong using a white, yellow or chartreuse jig when the fish school up preparatory to spawning. Special size and daily limit regulations are in effect at Clinton Lake, so read the posted signs carefully. And, remember, just because you are fishing for crappies doesn’t mean you won’t find yourself tangling with a walleye, catfish or hybrid striper, too. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?

Coffeen Lake Wildlife Area is in Montgomery County, near Donnellson. While the lake is managed by the IDNR, it currently serves as a cooling lake for the Coffeen Power Company fossil fuel fired plant. Twenty-two species of fish are present in the lake, but the most popular are catfish, largemouth bass and white crappies. Coffeen Lake’s depth averages 19 feet and its maximum depth is 59 feet. Since the power plant discharges hot water into the lake, fish activity is affected, but the growth rate seems to be faster than usual.

Two boat ramps with parking lots are at each end of the lake and handicapped accessible courtesy docks are in place. Considerable areas for bank-fishing are also provided. There is a 25-horsepower motor restriction on Coffeen Lake, but larger motors are allowed to launch or retrieve a trailered boat. Site-specific fishing regulations are posted prominently around the lake and the rules are strictly enforced.

Crappie possibilities abound in southern Illinois. The Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area in Fayette County near the town of Ramsey is intensively managed for fishing and waterfowl. The lake is drawn down each fall to attract migrating ducks and geese -- a process that benefits anglers by killing excess aquatic vegetation. The site covers 1,980 acres and the lake has a good population of black crappies.

In spring, crappies congregate around submerged weeds, fallen timber or any available structure. Fishing supplies are available at the concession stand.

Crappies love structure and will always be found nesting around stumps, logs, rocky bottoms and old weedbeds. Work these likely spots carefully and slowly.

Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area, also known as Dolan Lake, is located about eight miles southeast of McLeansboro, off Route 14. This small 75-acre lake has a maximum depth of 18 feet but holds a decent population of black crappies. One nice feature of the park is the boat rental facility and launching ramp. There is a 10-horsepower motor maximum in place. It should not be hard to find the crappies’ spawning areas on a small lake like this and the beautiful wooded shoreline just makes your job that much more pleasant. This may be the perfect place to get a youngster started on a lifetime of fishing enjoyment.

When you get down to the bottom of the state, in Union County, you are in goose and duck country. Everything there revolves around the arrival of migrating waterfowl each fall and many of the state wildlife areas are closed to fishing when the web-footed visitors appear. But when the birds return to their northern nesting areas, fishing is permitted.

Within the Union County Waterfowl Refuge lies Lyerla Lake, and excellent crappie fishing can be found there from Mar. 1 until Oct. 15. A 10-horsepower outboard motor limit is in place on the lake, and considering its rather small size, that is a good thing. The fishing is best in early spring, and late summer, when standard crappie tactics work well. Lyerla Lake is also noted for fine bluegill fishing.

Spring crappies are the ideal way to kick off your fishing season and they taste so good. Now is the time to get ‘em. What are you waiting for?