Downstate men charged with poaching ducks

Despite all the talk about the Illinois Department of Natural Resources enforcement staff being shackled by tough budgetary goings-on, officers were right on with a recent arrest.

Illinois Conservation Police arrested three men at Carlyle Lake Wildlife Management Area near Vandalia on duck poaching charges.

Steven Dean of Granite City, along with Bradley Peters and Daniel Groves of Wood River, were arrested a week ago and all three face felony charges stemming from the killing of more than 30 ducks out of season on March 6, according to authorities. The illegal killings included northern pintail and mallard species and left several ducks crippled.

Fishing update:

Despite the chilly and rainy weather, crappie and walleye action continues to sustain itself, especially on the Fox Chain.

If you can get out there, the side channels on Petite, Bluff, and Channel lakes are good places to start your search. Lake Marie walleyes are still shallow with a few late spawners. Muskie activity has slowed.

The Deep Lake bluegill bite is steady, especially on the west shoreline.

Lake Michigan coho action is tough on the far north end primarily because of the wind and high waves.

Special guest:

Orvis' Tom Rosenbauer, marketing director and fly-fishing guru, will join me on the radio on at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, May 11, for a conversation.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.