The creek, especially in its farthest reaches, is filled with standing timber and deadfalls that are prime locations for spawning crappies. Boaters moving up from the lake often try to reach this water but cannot penetrate the thickets as easily or quietly as can canoeists. Clinton Lake is loaded with crappies, and Salt Creek is an obvious place for them to mass when spawning season arrives.

For more information, call Clinton Lake State Recreation Area at (217) 935-8722.

FLOATING & FISHING
Fishing from a canoe takes some getting used to. The quarters seem a little cramped at first. Canoeists have to keep their heads on a swivel, constantly alert for hazards in the water while simultaneously targeting fish.

Beginners should canoe with a partner, for safety’s sake if for no other reason. Tandem canoeing also has the advantage that the canoeist in the stern can navigate while the one in the bow fishes. The two people can trade spots from time to time.

After gaining a little experience handling a canoe, you might want to try solo canoeing. The lone canoeist should turn the canoe backward and sit reversed in the rear seat. This position puts the floater closer to the center of the canoe. The other end should be weighted down with gear to keep the canoe balanced.

Whatever canoe you buy should suit your needs as an angler. Aluminum canoes are cheap, but are slow in the water and heavy to carry. If there is the possibility that you will have to carry your canoe to your fishing places, keep this factor in mind. Canoes made of plastic, fiberglass and graphite can cost over $1,000, but they are lightweight and more maneuverable than aluminum. Big canoes over 17 feet in length are obviously roomier and will hold more fishing gear.

Float-fishing tackle, for the most part, need not be much different from the gear you would use in any other fishing situation. One exception is long fishing rods that protrude over the edge of the canoe and are liable to have their tips snapped off in tight corners. Rods under 6 1/2 feet long should be okay. Lack of space in a canoe also means that you will probably want to leave the six-tray tackle box at home.

Some float-fishermen outfit their canoes with electric trolling motors to push them through dead water. The obvious drawback to using a motor is all the weight it adds, especially the weight of the battery. This factor limits the use of motors to situations when you can drive directly to your put-in and take-out points. With a motor, you will also need to buy a bracket to mount it on the side of the canoe.

A small anchor is also nice to have, especially for solo canoeists. For crappie anglers, a brush clamp is useful for attaching the canoe to the structure you are fishing.

Portable battery-operated fish finders are a relatively new invention that have proven a boon to float-fishers. Some models suspend over the side of the canoe while mounted in a bracket. Others use a suction cup to attach the sensor to the bottom of the canoe. Both give floaters the same advantage as boaters in sounding the water column for structure and fish.

Backrests of any kind are worth every penny they cost, especially on long floats. In Illinois, personal flotation devices (PFDs) are required for all canoeists, just like boaters.

Don’t miss out on the salad days of the spring crappie run. Liberate yourself from shore and see what awaits on the far side of the water. And you don’t need a boat to do it!