Greg Keefer.

JULY
Lake Trout
Lake Michigan Off Frankfort Port
Trolling for lake trout in Lake Michigan near Frankfort has proved productive with fish measuring up to 20 inches and weighing 3 to 6 pounds. One of the hotspots is directly in front of the harbor in 70 to 90 feet of water. Trolling north or south in these depths will put you over fish.

The Herring Hole, four miles south of the harbor, is best fished at 90 feet.

Six miles north of Point Betsie is, what else, the Six Mile Hole, a dropoff loaded with lakers and salmon.

As the water temperatures warm, thermal breaks or scum lines can form. Troll due west from Frankfort 15 to 20 miles offshore until you find a break with a drastic temperature change. These scum lines push floating bugs, baitfish and debris that attract big lakers. Fish the scum lines from the surface to about 30 feet.

For more information, call McQuillan at (231) 218-2379 or visit his Web site at www.hawgtide.net

AUGUST
Muskies
Lake Hudson
Lake Hudson is one of the state’s best bets for hooking a big muskie. Muskie numbers are artificially high, since this lake is maintained as the primary brood-stock lake for Michigan’s muskellunge rearing program. There are many 36- to 40-inch fish swimming the lake’s 502 acres.

In August, a good night bite can develop when there’s a great deal of boat traffic and fishing pressure during the daylight hours. Shallow weedbeds harbor numerous muskies after the sun goes down, but they’ll also roam more freely away from cover.

Daytime muskies will be deeper. The lake consists of two main lake basins and the fish are in both. The most productive sections are the main lake body on the beach side and in the area southwest of the boat launch and campground.

Lake Hudson is located in Lenawee County, a mile south of M-34 on M-156 and eight miles east of Hudson. Public access is provided in the recreation area off M-156 north of Medina Road.

For more information, call the DNR’s Lake Erie Management Unit at (734) 953-0241. SEPTEMBER
Channel Catfish
Holloway Reservoir
Anglers tend to overlook this fishery, but some big catfish have been pulled from here. Patient anglers have pulled in cats in the 29- to 30-inch range.

Channel cats are usually considered warm-weather fish. Cats love the warmer weather but don’t quit eating when anglers give up and call it quits in the fall.

Try anywhere there is flat, shallow water in the evening and on into the night. The cats will be hanging out in deeper water during the daylight hours and move in shallow at night to feed.

Access to the lake is from the Tubes area on Stanley Road, the Mt. Morris Road bridge and the area at Zemmer and Hanmann roads.

The lake covers 1,973 acres and is part of the Holloway Reservoir Park.

Be prepared to pay a seasonal fee. For more information, call the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission at (800) 648-7275.