Lee Keck

In China, 2020 is considered the Year of the Rat. For local crappie anglers, however, 2020 is proving to be the Year of the Minnow. A statement like this typically again triggers the long-standing debate over crappie jigs versus minnows. And, both sides of this argument have their points and supporters....

The recent period of wet weather has only temporarily slowed the exceptional crappie fishing action at our area's large Corps of Engineer reservoirs. However, the return of springlike conditions promises this action will soon resume. Depending upon the specific lake, anglers are currently reporting...

Like many local fishing holes, most farm ponds have already warmed to a point not normally found until mid- to late-April. This early warming has brought about a superb and unexpected panfish bite. Many area anglers have been taking advantage of this excellent action for more than a week. Depending...

Though wild turkey populations have suffered some in recent years, the number of local hunters pursuing this bird remain high. The 2020 spring season in the south zone is now only just days away. And, north zone hunters have barely a few weeks remaining before heading to the forests and woodlots...

Though many of the lakes and ponds in the fall catchable trout season continue to produce catches of these popular fish, a new shipment of hard-fighting rainbow trout has now headed for some of these waters. Illinois rainbow trout anglers converge on numerous special fishing locations statewide...

If predictions by Illinois Department of Natural Resource's (IDNR) fisheries biologist Shawn Hirst prove to be true, anglers heading to southern Illinois Rend Lake are likely to have one of their best years ever. As the fisheries manager in charge of the sprawling Rend Lake complex, each year he...

There appears to be a new trend among crappie anglers from our state. For years, Illinois crappie enthusiasts have traveled to Missouri, Kentucky and other surrounding states in search of the nation's finest crappie fishing. More recently, however, increasing numbers of Illinois...

If predictions by Illinois Department of Natural Resource’s fisheries biologists prove to be true, catfish anglers heading to Carlyle Lake are nearly certain to have one of their best years ever. “The channel catfish population at Carlyle Lake is virtually unchanged from the past three...

Mention an Illinois sauger and walleye fishing trip and most Illinois anglers automatically assume your plans include an expedition to certain northern waters. Traditionally, the upper reaches of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, the Rock River and the Kankakee River have produced most of the...

With the odds of local winter ice fishing always a bit questionable, many local anglers are turning their attention to the hot water lakes of central and southern Illinois. Due to the discharge of warm water created by the cooling of the power plant turbines, these lakes are the place to be during...