Maps showing the locations of these fish attractors are available from the ODOW.

Seneca Lake has a 299-horsepower motor limit. There is one public boat ramp off state Route 574 and a marina at the lake.

More information on the lake is available at MWCDLakes.com. Or call the lake at (740) 685-6013 or the marina at (740) 685-5831.

One of the most scenic lakes in the district is Piedmont Lake, covering some 2,270 acres in Belmont and Harrison counties. It is a much quieter lake, thanks to a 10-horsepower motor restriction.

Parrett said surveys indicate plenty of crappies in the 8- to 10-inch range. Crappies are fast growing in this lake and usually reach 10 inches by two years of age. The crappies are mostly white ones, with a scattering of black crappies in the mix.

Piedmont Lake has more small bays than does Seneca Lake, and there is a good bit of woody and brushy structure located in these smaller coves. Additionally, some shoreline trees have been cut and dropped into the water to enhance crappie habitat.

The upper end of the lake tends to be shallow and is a bit muddier than the middle and lower portions.

There are two public boat ramps on Piedmont Lake.

Piedmont anglers can use the same MWCD contacts for Seneca Lake, listed above.

An additional contact is the Piedmont Marina, which you can reach at (740) 658-3735.

DISTRICT FIVE
One of the best crappie spots in District Five is East Fork Lake in Clermont County. Anglers in southwestern Ohio find plenty of action with 8 1/2- to 10-inch fish, according to Doug Maloney, DNR district supervisor. There are also a decent number of fish up to 13 inches, and a few bigger specimens.

There are both black and white crappies at this reservoir. But surveys indicate that more black crappies were caught by anglers in 2006.

By mid-April, anglers usually start focusing their attention on crappies that will be in 15 to 20 feet of water. The crappies will typically start their journey into shallow-water spawning areas by late April or early May. By mid-May, spawning activity is usually on track.

A number of coves still contain standing timber. These areas can be real hotspots during spring. Anglers fishing on the main lake should concentrate on areas with fallen logs and other woody structure.

There are six boat ramps on this 2,160-acre lake, and there is no restriction on horsepower. There are 35.8 miles of shoreline.

For more information, contact the East Fork State Park office at (513) 734-4323.

For more good crappie fishing in this district, try Rocky Fork Lake in Highland County. This lake is dominated by white crappies, but black crappies are present as well.

Biologist Maloney said he expects to see a good number of 8- to 10 1/2-inch fish this season.

Crappies are usually still in deep water in early April, but during the latter part of the month, they should begin moving into as little as two feet of water. With a normal spring with normal warming patterns, the fish will usually begin heading for shallow water by the beginning of May.

Spawning activity should be going strong by the second to third week of the month.