REND LAKE — When the third or fourth slab crappie hit the bottom of Rick Eskew’s livewell, the veteran Rend Lake fishing guide said for anyone to hear, “Not all bushes are created equal.” Although a ...

In many lakes, crappie fishing quickly comes to an end following the spawning season. At the sprawling Rend Lake in Southern Illinois, however, crappie fishing is a year-round activity. You can just ...

While many local sportsmen are occupying their time by sitting in duck blinds or deer stands, a handful of diehard crappie anglers are busy enjoying some of the best fishing action of the year. And, ...

Crappie fishing is one of my favorite pastimes. These large panfish are fun to catch and great to eat. Using minnows under slip-bobbers is my favorite tactic for catching crappie, but jigs work just ...

LES WINKELER For The Southern Aug 13, 2021 Aug 13, 2021 Updated Sep 18, 2021 REND LAKE — The red, green, yellow and blue colors emanating from Rick Eskew’s electronic equipment cast an eerie light as ...

More than 3 million people visit Rend Lake each year. One of the highlights of the Rend Lake complex is Wayne Fitzgerald State Park, maintained by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which ...

Crappie are hands down one of my favorite species to target. These abundant, aggressive fish also taste excellent right out of the fryer. Whether you are bobber fishing in the spring, or ice fishing ...

Why are we asking for donations? Why are we asking for donations? This site is free thanks to our community of supporters. Voluntary donations from readers like you keep our news accessible for ...