Talk about tough jobs!

The Sunshine State has 10,000 named and unnamed lakes and rivers, most of which have crappie populations ranging from just "so-so," all the way to "gee whiz."

And, the spots they selected this year may be bumped in the near future as numerous lakes throughout Florida are currently undergoing intense management, rehabilitation and restoration projects designed to improve habitat for all species of freshwater fish, including the popular crappie.

Known by more than 60 aliases, including speckled perch, calico bass, strawberry bass, papermouth, bachelor and just plain speck, the black crappie is a popular target amongst residents and winter visitors to Florida who are often observed from December through March or early April lining rivers and lakes - in boats, on banks and from piers -- filling stringers or ice chests with fish weighing anywhere from one-half to two pounds each.

That "specks" are considered excellent table fare is just an added bonus to the fun and excitement savored by both kids and adults during these leisurely aqua outings.

In no particular order or ranking, the Top-10 Florida lakes or lake systems are listed, along with a biologist's name and telephone number for additional information, you can also check the Division of Fisheries’ Web Site for more (http://floridafisheries.com/):

Located west of Tallahassee, Lake Talquin, an 8,800-acre reservoir, benefits from periodic drawdowns. Premier speck months are from February through April around the mouths of various feeder creeks including Little River, Polk, Harvey, Hammock and Oklawaha. Hal-Flies or Missouri minnows are considered the best baits. A 10-inch minimum size limit is in effect.

Anglers are advised to use caution on Lake Talquin because of submerged stumps and standing timber. They can launch at several area fish camps including Hopkins Landing at Pat Thomas Park, Gainey's Talquin Lodge, Idlewilde Fishing Lodge, Ingram's Marina and Wip-poor-will Landing, all located off State Road 267, south of Quincy.

Lake Kissimmee, with its 34,948 acres, recently underwent a drawdown and is proving to be a bonanza for speck fishermen who will cash in on spawners through February and early March in such cover as bulrush, cattails, lily pads and Kissimmee grass.

Lake Toho, another shallow body of water in the Chain, has 18,810 acres and produces outstanding crappie hauls in the same type of cover during the same months. The Hal-Fly and Missouri minnows are considered top baits, although many have success using tiny jigs.

There are numerous fish camps and launching ramps located around both lakes.

Here, too, Hal-Flies and Missouri minnows are the prevailing bait choices for those using cane poles or light spinning outfits.

Although speck activity takes place here throughout the year, December through February are considered prime months when the fish are bedding. Anglers can launch at Lake Marian Paradise.

For example, 223-acre Lake "B" has produced more than 5,000 specks in just three months and Lakes 3, 4 and 5, ranging in size from 43 to 228 acres, are highly favored by speck buffs.

Jigs, such as Cotee's 1/8th-ounce model, Beetlespins, Hal-Flies and Missouri minnows are choices for those who fish the points and around bushes for fish that bed near shore in 8 to 10 feet of water while trolling with an electric motor or dibbling with a cane pole near vegetation.

Currently, the daily speckled perch bag limit at Tenoroc is 10 fish per person, in addition to a minimum size limit of 10 inches.

Those wanting Missouri minnows can purchase them prior to entering Tenoroc at Gunther Bait & Tackle off KathleenRoad or at Phillip's Bait & Tackle in Saddlecreek Park.

Having one of the state's highest crappie catch ratios at 2.63 per hour, these fish average between 10 and 12 inches in length.

Those who slow troll or drift small jigs, Hal-Flies or Beetlespins in warmer months will catch both bass and specks on about a 50/50 ratio, especially at the north end.

Throughout the winter months, crappie move into the bulrushes to bed in about 4-feet of water and will readily take Missouri minnows.

There are numerous launching ramps available at the lake including Henderson's Fish Camp, Mossy Cove Fishing Resort and Trails End Fishing Resort.

Loaded with nutrients, its bright green water has lots of important crappie forage in the form of shad. This factor contributes to an excellent fishery. So good, in fact, that a 12-inch minimum size limit is in effect.

Eagle Lake, about three miles away, is a very fertile partially reclaimed phosphate pit measuring 200 acres. Anglers will score here through March and, maybe, into early April using Beetlespins and Missouri minnows under overhanging brush and near cattails.

Famous for its bass fishing, the river is also home to high concentrations of speckled perch throughout its length, with the most notable sites being Lakes Jessup, Monroe and Woodruff.

Jessup is a highly eutrophic 10,011-acre "wide spot" in the St. Johns located southeast of Sanford that is surrounded by cattails with very little submerged vegetation. Very high crappie catch rates occur from December through March for anglers drifting or slow-trolling Missouri minnows or Hal-Flies.

Lake Monroe's 9,400 acres, located due north of Sanford, recently underwent a re-vegetation project by GFC staff resulting in bulrush, eel and knotgrass plantings that improved its water quality and fish habitat. Speck activities here usually begin in October and continue through March, and a 12-inch minimum size limit is being proposed to promote quality fishing opportunities.

Due west of De Leon Springs and immediately south of Lake George, 2,220-acre Lake Woodruff has very little shoreline development and plenty of hydrilla, water lilies and eel grass serving as cover for large quantities of crappie which are particularly active from December through March.

Look for fish in the grass during the cooler months using Missouri minnows, and in open water during the late-spring and summer months with Hal-Flies and Beetlespins.

While fishing for specks here, don't be surprised if you also catch quite a few sunshine bass, which often frequent the same type of habitat.

This lake also has two popular fishing piers and several GFC fish attractors located within casting distance from shore. One privately owned pier and boat launching ramp is located at Hickory Point and has a $2 per vehicle fee, while the other pier and ramp is free and can be found on Highway 27. Another free launching ramp is located near Venetian Gardens in Leesburg.

Although Lake Walk-In-Water, located east of Lake Wales, receives "tons of ink" for its truly spectacular bass fishing, this 7,523-acre honeyhole is also home to some wondrous crappie activity year around.

With an abundance of bottom vegetation and very little shoreline development, Walk-In-Water's anglers do quite well with bedding specks during the winter months with Missouri minnows.

In warmer periods, crappie are also taken in impressive numbers by those slow-trolling or drifting Beetlespins, tiny jigs behind a small cork float or bobber, Hal-Flies and, sometimes, Mepps spinners.

Boaters can launch at a public ramp located at the end of Walk-In-Water Road, or at nearby Uncle Joe's Fish Camp.

Nobody can travel anywhere around this vast, shallow 530-square-mile soup bowl-shaped leviathan lake without bumping into massive numbers of speckled perch aficionados, especially from December through April when literally tons of fish will be hauled from its waters.

If a person could corner the Missouri minnow market here for just a year, he or she would be wealthy beyond his or her wildest dreams as an army of anglers from throughout the nation descend upon Lake Okeechobee during the winter months to cash in on what may very well be the world's best speck fishing.

While crappie can be caught by drifters and slow-trollers in open waters and in the Rim Canal throughout the year, it's the cooler months that attract the multitudes.

It's often been said that if you can't catch specks at Lake Okeechobee in January through March, you'd better rush to a hospital because you've been snake-bit.