Douglas Lake,TN in April

It looks like my brother and I will be taking my dad (76 years young) to Douglas Lake in early April for some Crappie fishing. I have 3 questions.
1) Where can we stay, someplace nice, on the water with a boat dock close by, cabin, resort, whatever. Would like a nice cabin, not too expensive, anyone have any ideas here?
2) When does the Corp of Engineers start letting the lake fill up or will the lake still be low the first 2 weeks of April 1-16?
3) Any good patterns or colors for Douglas, crappie jigs, minnows, etc.?
Thanks,
Dave
:p