LAKE GEORGE
There good numbers of both black and white crappies in Lake George. This 167-acre impoundment is in Rock Island County. It's a fairly deep, clear lake, with clarity going as deep as 12 feet. The lake depth averages 24 feet, and has a maximum depth of 62 feet.

The DNR's Clodfelter samples the lake in both the spring and fall, and he reports a very nice population of crappies for this spring. In fact, it should rate near excellent. There is good distribution of white crappies from 7 inches on up, and the number of whites up to 12 inches is very good. A few fish as large as 14 inches can be caught on Lake George. There is also a good year-class of black crappies in the 10- to 11-inch range, which is very respectable for a lake of this size. A strong population of gizzard shad provides ample forage and helps the crappies reach slab status.

Lake George has a main body and two large fingers that almost form a Y-shape when viewed on a map. These fingers are much shallower than the main lake, and that's where the bulk of the spawning activity takes place. The spawn will typically occur here during the last part of April and continue into May. The fish will run up into these shallow fingers of the lake and then relate to much of the brushy structure found there. Most of the angler effort is concentrated around the brush.

The lake is fortunate to have a good amount of structure for the crappies to utilize. In addition to the brush, there also is plenty of woody structure. Submerged and fallen trees along the shoreline, logs and stumps make excellent spring fishing locations.

Lake George is in the Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, (309) 795-1040. Lodging information can be obtained from the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce at (309) 757-5416, or their Web site.

WASHINGTON COUNTY LAKE
There should be a very good crappie fishery to tap at Washington County Lake this spring. In fact, it's close to being excellent for big slabs. While it is usually hard to catch lunker papermouths in a lake this size, DNR biologist Barry Newman said the fish here are "very healthy and very plump."

There is good size distribution of white crappies up to 13 inches, and anglers may even pick up an occasional black crappie in the 8- to 10-inch range. There is a strong year-class of white crappies in the 9- to 10-inch range, and the number of 11-inch fish is not bad either. There are fewer 12- and 13-inch fish, but they are definitely there and make for some exciting fishing.