A ‘crappie day’ during DNR’s fall survey is a good sign for Crab Orchard Lake anglers in southern Illinois

It was a crappie day, so to speak –  but most certainly in the best possible way, at least for  southern Illinois anglers who fishing for slabs at Crab Orchard Lake.
Findings of DNR’s annual fall trap net survey include the collection of 2,863 crappies in 12 nets over a two-night period in mid-November. The catch rate of 119 fish per net night more than doubled the typical 40 to 50 crappies per net night, and far exceeds the average crappie catch rate across the state.