Hubbard Lake Perch

Last ice produces some of the biggest jumbo perch of the year on Hubbard Lake. Late in the year, anglers congregate on North Bay, East Bay, out from Churchill Point and off Hardwood Point. Concentrate on the 10- to 40-foot depths. Wigglers will take the most perch, but the real jumbos love walleye-sized shiners. For more information, contact East Bay Outfitters at (989) 727-9916.

APRIL

Pere Marquette River Steelhead

Lake-run rainbows converge on the gravel reaches of the P.M. River in early April. The best spawning habitat is from Walhalla upstream through the flies-only section. Many anglers use drift boats to float the river and get out to fish. Fly-anglers practice the “chuck-and-duck” approach to get flies deep. Try glow bugs, stonefly nymphs, caddis larva and Woolly Buggers.

Wear polarized glasses and look for redds or the flash of a spawning fish. Early and late in the day are when fish are most visible. During midday, probe the deeper holes and runs. Outside the flies-only water, anglers score with spawn, spinners and plugs.

For more information, contact Baldwin Bait & Tackle at (231) 745-3529 or online at www.fishbaldwin.com.

Belleville Lake Crappies

Belleville Lake is among the best in Michigan in terms of both size and numbers of crappies. Crappies move into the shallows in March. Concentrate on the south-facing bays. Crappies stage in the 10- to 20-foot depths near the old river channel and move into the bays and coves as they warm. Contact the Ypsilanti Convention & Visitors Bureau at (734) 483-4444.

Menominee Brown Trout

The area of Green Bay off the Menominee and Cedar rivers offers spring anglers exceptional fishing for brown trout and splake. Anglers troll with body baits off flatlines or in-line boards in the shallows from 5 to 20 feet. Try off Hennes Park, Stony Point and the mouth of the Cedar River. Spoons can be hot, too. For more details, contact Pete’s Sport Shop at (715) 582-3681.

MAY

St. Joseph Kings

Salmonids gravitate to the warm waters of southern Lake Michigan off St. Joseph. Most people are happy catching 1  1/2- to 3-pound cohos, but anglers after bigger game will find plenty of chinooks. Stitching the color line can be a deadly tactic where the murky water of the St. Joe River spills into the big lake. The warmwater discharge near Bridgman attracts kings, too, and fishing can be excellent all the way to New Buffalo.

Magnum-sized spoons are the preferred bait for spring chinooks. Run them off shallow-set downriggers and divers. In-line boards pulling body baits or lead-core line excel when kings are shallow. Use your surface temperature gauge to locate pockets of warmer water and baitfish.

For area information, contact Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council at (269) 925-6301 or online at www.swmichigan.org.

St. Marys River Steelhead

Steelhead begin showing up in May in the cold waters of the St. Marys River. Fishing remains good into June. Anglers can access the rapids area of the river via the Canadian side and a boardwalk that leads to the river. Wading is treacherous, so felt-soled waders and a wading staff help. Fishing is often to visible fish. Wear polarized glasses. For more details, contact the Sault Convention & Visitors Bureau at (906) 632-3301 or online at www.saultstemarie.com.

Hardy Dam Pond Smallmouths

Newaygo County’s Hardy Dam Pond is open to early-season, catch-and-release bass fishing. The 18-mile impoundment of the Muskegon River is prime for smallies in May. Work south-facing dropoffs with crankbaits, or probe coves that warm quickly for pre-spawn bass. Use tubes and light line. Contact the Newaygo County Chamber of Commerce at (231) 652-3068.

JUNE

Lake Erie Walleyes

The Michigan waters of Lake Erie open to walleye anglers on June 1. You’ll find plenty of post-spawn ’eyes in the 10- to 20-foot depths off Monroe, Sterling State Park, Bolles Harbor and Luna Pier. Trolling with crankbaits and small spoons is the ticket. Crankbaits are run off in-line boards. Spoons excel off downriggers and divers. Hot colors are pink, purple, copper and rainbow. Drifters can use weight-forward spinners, jigs or crawler harnesses with good success.

For more information, contact 1-800-252-3011 or www.thebureau@monroe.com.

Fence River Brook Trout

Iron County’s Fence River fishes well in June, but bring plenty of insect repellent and be prepared to battle brush. The Main Stream gives up brookies to 16 inches, but most average 8 to 10 inches. The river is open enough to fly-fish. Anglers also toss spinners or dunk worms. The surrounding terrain is wild and access is limited. Anglers armed with a GPS will find beautiful brook trout. Contact the Iron County Tourism Council at (906) 265-3822 or online at www.tryiron.org.

Paw Paw Lake Largemouths

Berrien County’s Paw Paw Lake is a topnotch bass lake. Located near Watervliet, the lake has a landlocked population of alewives that the bass grow fat on. Work the coves and shallow water with topwater lures early and plastic baits later. Try the deep water with crankbaits at midday.

JULY

Tittabawassee River Smallmouths

The Tittabawassee River is loaded with smallmouths that are ignored during the summer. Anglers can wet-wade and use about anything they want to catch-and-release 30 to 40 smallies a day.

Look for any structure that might hold a fish. Most fish will be sub-legal, but there are bass that will push 4 pounds. The best fishing is between Freeland and Saginaw.

For information, contact the Saginaw Gander Mountain store at (989) 791-3500.

Ludington Steelhead