I have been busy doing some early season fishing.  I have been up to Marshal , Illinios to fish a Club tournament on Mill Creek lake and it was chilly for less words to say.  I managed a 14.5 bass and my co angler got a nice gal of about 4 pounds.   The average water temp for the lake was 44.6 degrees and it was cloudy and spotted with rain at times with a chilly wind.   Everyone went up lake but I chose to go down lake toward a creek inlet with standing timber which was much shallower water.   On a hunch that the water would be somewhat warmer I did find it to be about 3 to 4 degrees warmer the deeper I went back.   I found a sweet spot which had a surrounding  depth of 5.5 feet and right in the middle of it was a 10 foot hole and the fish were stacked up in it and you know the rest.   I also fished lake Kickapoo at Shakamak State Park and found the water was at he average of 47 degrees  on the main lake and down one neck I found the water up to 49 to 50 degrees....I didnt catch fish in the necks instead I caught them in the main lake.     I found some fish on a large flat with a gradual fall until it hit a break the dropped off to 16ft  I marked the drop and sat on the outside in the main body and casted into the shallower water with a crankbait and when it got close to the 16 foot break I caught fish.  I found other areas like this one and they produced as well.    A day later I found myself on Lake Sullivan fishing mostly for Crappies and Sauger it was just a have a good time fishing day with a buddy.   The average lake temp here was 50 degrees and I found some warmer areas in a mouth of a neck from the main body but not far from the main body.   We managed to catch 18 crappies and one nice 3 pound bass and needless to say a great day on the lake.   I had a chance to work with the boat to make sure it is ready for my next tournament....it is time to get out there and brave the early spring elements and have fun fishing...the ice is gone and the water is warming and there isn't any excuses , just be sure you take along a jacket or a hoodie...See ya on the lake.