Crappie USA Travels to Carlyle Lake

Crappie anglers from several states will travel to Carlyle Lake to participate in a Crappie USA (CUSA) Tournament Trail event presented by Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s. Local and traveling anglers will be vying for cash, prizes, and an opportunity to compete at the 2019 CUSA Classic which will feature a guaranteed payout of $125,000 in cash and prizes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed Carlyle Lake in 1967. It was formed by damming the Kaskaskia River. This lake has a maximum depth 35 feet and an average depth of 11 feet. The 24,580-acre lake is characterized by numerous feeder creeks. As reported by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the crappie population in Carlyle Lake remains in excellent condition. The numbers of white crappie were up a little and the numbers of black crappie were down a little in a recent survey. The condition of the fish collected was good. The crappie population is definitely on an upward trend as indicated by local anglers reporting good catches of both white and black crappie. How to Enter Teams may consist of one or two anglers, with a third member allowed if the angler is under the age of 16 years old. Early registration can be accomplished on the CUSA website at https://www.crappieusa.com/Tournament_Registration.cfm. Teams may also enter by calling (502) 384-5924 or by entering at the mandatory pre-tournament seminar on the night before the tournament begins. Entry fees vary by length of tournament. All fees are posted on the website linked above. Late entries are subject to a $25.00 late fee. Participating anglers must be a member of the American Crappie Association (ACA). Follow the link below to view the various membership levels. Each membership will include a subscription to the official publication of Crappie USA, one of the top crappie fishing publications in the nation. https://www.crappieusa.com/Membership_Information.cfm. Registration and Seminar Late registration and a pre-tournament seminar will be held the day before the tournament at Marina's Village Conference Center, 1 Resort Dr., Carlyle, IL 62231. Registration begins at 5:00 pm. A National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing accompanies the seminar starting at 7:00 pm local time. This seminar is open to the public. Those not fishing the event are encouraged to attend this meeting and meet some of the region’s top crappie anglers. The Weigh-In Site The tournament weigh-in will be held at Dam West Boat Ramp, Marina Rd., Carlyle, IL 62231 beginning at 3:00 pm. This is the perfect opportunity for non-competitors to learn how the big ones are caught. Interviews of the top 5 teams are conducted following the weigh-in. Sponsor and Host Lodging Site City of Carlyle & Clinton County Tourism welcomes all Crappie USA anglers and their guests to the area and hope they take the opportunity to enjoy the local attractions. For more information on the area visit the website at www.visitclintoncounty.com or call (800) 442-1488. Host lodging is provided by Marina's Village Inn & Suites, 1 Resort Rd., Carlyle, IL 62231 (618-594-7666). The number of rooms in the area may be limited. It is recommended that participants make their reservations early. Crappie USA "Free Crappie Kids Rodeo" A FREE Crappie Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held in conjunction with the tournament at Carlyle Lake Visitor Center (Willow Pond), 801 Lake Rd., Carlyle, IL 62231. Sign up will be Saturday morning at 8:00 am. The Kids Rodeo is from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. The Crappie USA Kids Fishing Rodeo is a chance for children of the area to get out and enjoy nature, do a little fishing and win some prizes. The event is free to all children 12 years of age and under. All participants are eligible for a chance to win one of the six, Crappie USA $1,000.00 scholarships to be awarded at the 2019 Cabela's Crappie USA Classic.  An adult must accompany all participating children. Crappie USA and their anglers have contributed $360,000.00 to the "Crappie Kids" Scholarships since 1997. CUSA is very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in the tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Crappie USA Kids Fishing Rodeos. The Classic Championship The CUSA Classic Championship will be held October 23 – 26, 2019 on Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin, TN. It features a guaranteed payout of $125,000 in cash and prizes. National Sponsors National Sponsors of Crappie USA are: Bass Pro Shops Cabelas, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Mustad Hooks, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Talon, Lake Master Maps, Gamma, B’n’M Poles, Driftmaster Rod Holders, Ego Nets, Cumberland Crappie, and Double Seats, Charlie Brewer Sliders, Crappie Now, Church Tackle Co., Jenko Fishing, Big Bite Baits, Lake Cumberland Tourism, Crappie Magnet, EFX Graphics, Fin n’ Frames, Crown Trophy, JR Madd Breading. For more information on the Classic and other CUSA events visit the website at  www.crappieusa.com and Crappie USA Tournament Trail Facebook Page.