In April, the crappies begin moving into shallow water and can be found relating to natural structure as well as the aforementioned artificially placed structures. One shoreline is quite shallow, while another is steeper. Along the steeper shoreline, downed trees are a huge attraction for crappies. Daine said there is also some beaver activity on the lake and anglers should not overlook these areas as potential draws for crappies.

The Saline County Conservation Area office is occupied weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and usually on weekends as well. The phone number for the office is (618) 276-4405. The Saline County Chamber of Commerce can be reached at (618) 252-4192, or at their Web site.

LAKE MURPHYSBORO
There is a "ton of fish" in Lake Murphysboro, according to DNR fisheries biologist Shawn Hirst. The crappie population at this lake is very cyclic, but it should be in great shape this spring. A good year-class of papermouths is moving up into keeper-sized category and should produce plenty of smiles.

DNR sampling done during the second week of October 2006 showed the lake was loaded with 7- to 8-inch crappies. Hirst said this group of fish was "very impressive." However, the bulk of the papermouths here fall within that size category. Hirst said there are some larger slabs, but not many. Both black and white crappies swim in Lake Murphysboro, but the majority is white.

Lake Murphysboro is 145 acres in size and under statewide regulations, but boaters may not use a motor larger than 10 horsepower. There are two boat ramps and a couple of nearby bait shops.

About 80 percent of this Jackson County lake is surrounded by trees, and there is not much access for shore-bound anglers. One place where there is some bank access is in the Lake Murphysboro State Park. The park also offers tent camping, electric hookups and other amenities.

Finding structure is a key to crappie fishing, and Murphysboro is at no loss for structure. On this lake, locating structure is a sure bet to find papermouths. Regarding last fall's sampling effort, Hirst said, "Anywhere there was structure, we found fish."

With so many trees surrounding Murphysboro, more of them fall into the lake every year. These downed trees are prime locations for springtime crappies. There are also beaver ponds and a couple of fishing piers.

DNR biologist Ken Clodfelter said sampling from Shabbona in the spring of 2006 showed a large year-class of crappies moving up into the 9-inch and above range this year. There also was a big year-class of papermouths in the sampling in the 7 1/2- to 9-inch range, and their condition was very good.