"Hybrids up to about 20 inches have been collected from Mattoon. However, few anglers specifically target fish here," said biologist Mike Mounce.

A recent fish kill, however, revealed good numbers of fish greater than 20 inches, and anglers have reported fish as large as 15 pounds. Mattoon will produce some big fish in the upcoming year, and will be a lake to watch in the near future.

During the spring, concentrate on transitional areas such as bridges where migration is constricted. Points, humps and saddles can also concentrate fish. In summer, hybrids move into the depths around the spillway and levee. Fall sees hybrids corralling baitfish off points, over humps and bars, and in the backs of coves. Spoons, jigs, live shad, chrome Rat-L-Traps and crankbaits catch the most fish.

Lake Mattoon is managed by the city of Mattoon, and there is an access fee to launch a boat. There is no limit for hybrids under 17 inches, but only three fish greater than 17 inches can be kept. For more information, call (217) 234-3611. For information regarding travel and lodging, contact the Mattoon Area Chamber of Commerce at (217) 235-5661.

OHIO RIVER
Head to Metropolis on the banks of the Ohio River and you'll find a statue of Superman, the hero who lived in a comic-book town of the same name. With no disrespect to the Man of Steel, a more fitting tribute would be a big cement striper wearing a red cape with a capital "S."

During peak periods when fish concentrate around the lock-and-dam systems, the Ohio River can be our state's most prolific fishery for both hybrids and striped bass. Catches of 50 stripers a day -- with hybrids pushing 10 pounds and striped bass about 20 pounds -- are not unheard of. But to get in on this fishery, timing is everything.

"We always pick up a whole bunch out here when we do our surveys," said DNR biologist Les Frankland. "Lately we've been seeing more hybrids than anything else. Not too much over 10 pounds, but a lot of fish, though."

In April and May, anglers can expect to find healthy numbers stacked in the tailwaters of Lock and Dam No. 50-53 and the famous Smithland Lock and Dam. Silver and white blade baits, hair jigs and spoons are effective for ripping perpendicular to fast water, targeting stripers corralling shad in the turbulent water. Live shad fished on a float or on a slip-sinker rig are also effective.

In summer, stripers often recess downstream where they can be found on edges of wing dams, behind mooring cells and anchored barges, or anywhere current redirects. Although fish can be caught year-round, the Ohio is best in the spring and fall when stripers concentrate in tailwater areas.

Numerous launches are located on the river in Cairo, Mound City, Metropolis, Golconda, Rosiclare and Cave-In-Rock. For additional information, call (618) 824-2179. For river conditions and up-to-date fishing information, contact Fort Massac Fish Market at (618) 524-3152.

OTTER LAKE
Macoupin County's Otter Lake is a definite "must see" for anglers seeking numbers of hybrids and a few pure stripers. According to biologist Jeffery Pontnack, populations here are in good shape.

"During our spring 2005 gill-netting sample, 29 hybrids from 20 inches to 28 1/2 inches and weighing up to 15 1/2 pounds were collected," said Pontnack. "One pure striped bass weighing 18 pounds was also sampled. The impoundment has been stocked with both species since 1982."

Peggy Roberts of Otter Lake Park said the lake is full of nice stripers.