I know there is a southern illinois crappie trail, but what do ya'll think of an Illinois crappie trail? my brother and i were tossing this idea around the other day while on the lake and was just wondering on your thoughts...if some of us northerners could get some lakes together do you think we could make it fly? my brother and i ( i am speaking fo rhim until he says leave me out) would be willing to try to maybe get some things started on at least a few lakes...any thoughts and suggestions are welcome..maybe make this asticky if we can...had in mind shelbyville, clinton, lake mattoon, lake vermillion, lake evergreen, sangchris, lake decatur, lake springfield, and obvisouly combine that with all the southern lakes to form one big one...we could cut this list down or hell fish all of em...we are very fortunate to have some very fine lakes in our state and with rising gas prices and some of the other trails that are just not feasible to fish, i thought it might be worth a shot...

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Some thing to thing about.
1. where do those that express interest live and how far are the willing to travel to fish a tournament
2. Where will the start up money come from (you'll need scales, probably trophies or plaques, etc)
3. Would it be a draw or team format
4. Are there fees associated with fishing particular lake. (Shelbyville has some requirements and charge a fee in some cases.
5. Will need DNR approval.

Not trying to discourage, just some thoughts.

Barry F

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Ranger375
ranger375@mchsi.com
North end of Lake Shelbyville

I'm in... I think it would great to get a trail started and keep it going.... and not die out like others??

Barry--Well this is a good start at least for conversation..Thanks for the list!!My brother and I are both young enough (me 27, him 31) that to us it wouldnt be a waste of time or money to get this thing started...Looking back a few months, there were 31 teams that fished shelbyville with addresses north of Interstate 70...I would like to hear more responses from other board members as far as interest goes before we can answer your question 1. Regarding #2, I dont know where the money would come from...Maybe have to start out on the cheap side..Get some scales sure, but just have entry fees paid out for prizes...Any ideas are welcome...Regarding #3, i would recommend team format just like crappie masters and crappie usa...Regarding #4, i thin all teams would have to pay for any expenses that a lake may have, just like any other tourney..Have to follow the rules at your own expense...Regarding #5, I will ahve to check into DNR regualtions and lake regualtions as far as tourneys go..i know there are a lot of bass tourneys on the lakes around me, so I will try to get a hold them to figure out if they just set up their own tourneys or if they ahve to go through the lake office or something..Again, if anyone knows anything, please add to the discussion...My only reason for starting this thread was to just toss around some ideas becasue we seriously ahve some awesome crappie lakes in this state and with gas prices and everything else factored in, it might be the best idea for those that still wanna fish competitively...And we might all get to meet each other and BS on this board afterwards!!

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Co-Pilot Checklist:
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You've got PM

Barry F

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Ranger375
ranger375@mchsi.com
North end of Lake Shelbyville