Kinkaid is a matrix of sheltered coves and bays, with water clarity changing considerably from the north end down to the dam where fish tend to hold deeper in the much clearer water, moving shallow to spawn perhaps 10 days later than they do at the north end.

You should have seen the slabs we used to catch back when I was growing up. Three feet long at least with mouths big enough to garwoofle an entire squirrel. At least that's the way Bean and I remember those times fishing with Dad.

Kinkaid has considerable offshore structure. A good sonar is a real boon in finding this fish habitat, with the best spots in the middle of the mouths of coves until crappies relocate to more visible cover closer to shore.

If crappie angling is only part of a family weekend outing, nearby Lake Murphysboro State Park may be a better option. You don't need a boat to catch crappies on this 145-acre lake, which has motor restrictions in place. Try the area around the concession stand or fish from the two disabled access piers.

The park also features Little Lake, a seven-acre pond where motors are restricted even further, with electric motor-only rules in place. Probe the flooded timber on the pond's northwest side.

For more information, call the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce at (618) 684-6421, Kinkaid State FWA at (618) 684-6421, or Lake Murphysboro State Park at (618) 684-2867.

EVERGREEN & DAWSON
Comlara County Park just north of Bloomington surrounds 1,000-acre Evergreen Lake, an outstanding family fishing destination. A 10-horsepower motor restriction is in effect, but crappies are still just a five-minute boat ride from access points.

The draw here is numbers of fish, rather than size and quality family camping on the water. Evergreen is also full of muskies that dog the crappie population. There is a very high potential for one of these toothers to put the pin in your papermouth party hog. Throwing a cane pole in the lake in this instance has the potential for scarring yet another generation of anglers.

Dawson Lake, in Moraine View State Park, is another worthwhile McLean County crappie destination with much less potential for "toother trauma." Boat launching and camping facilities are good at this state property, located about 10 miles southeast of Bloomington.

For more information, call the McLean County Chamber of Commerce at (309) 829-6344, Comlara County Park at (309) 726-2022, or Moraine View State Park at (309) 724-8295.