Tyler LaPorte seems to be enjoying his summer vacation. Many of Michigan's state parks offer great bluegill fishing. Photo by Mike Gnatkowski

Michigan's state park system features some of the most beautiful and diverse state parks in the country. What makes it even better is that many are located on some of Michigan's premier fishing lakes, which make them a natural destination for planning a family fishing getaway.

Following is a sampling of state park destinations that offer great fishing opportunities you'll want to take advantage of this summer.

VAN RIPER STATE PARK
Van Riper State Park is located 17 miles west of Ishpeming in Marquette County. A good portion of the park's more than 1,200 acres is located along the shores of Lake Michigammee, one of the premier fishing lakes in the Upper Peninsula. The park also features 1 1/2 miles of frontage on the Peshekee River.

The Peshekee River enters Lake Michigammee on the east end of the lake very close to the state park. Off the mouth of the river is a prime location for the lake's abundant walleyes. Schools of fat yellow-bellied perch are known to hang out there.

"A good tactic for the walleyes is to troll a gold/orange Rapala back and forth across the river mouth," advised Van Riper State Park regular Greg Ellison. "The walleyes don't run too big, but it's not too difficult to catch a mess for dinner."

A cluster of islands near the center of the lake is another prime location for walleyes. The bottom slopes quickly from 5 feet deep near the islands to 50 feet of water. The contours attract schools of 'eyes that work up and down the breaks. Jigs sweetened with a minnow or a bottom-bouncer with a juicy crawler are a good combination for the walleyes.

Watching a leech under a bobber is a good way to keep the kids busy and catch some of the big perch Michigammee is famous for. Look for weed edges and you'll find the perch. Substitute a minnow for the leech and search out some of the old beaver lodges that are common around the lake and chances are good you can catch a mess of slab black crappies, too. Muskies and smallmouths are an added bonus. Throw big bucktails and jerkbaits for the muskies or soak a jumbo sucker under a bobber. Off the mouth of the Peshekee River is a good location for monster muskies. Smallies can be found in the shallows along the rocky islands and points, especially in the lake's South Arm.

The area has a rich mining history. Iron ore was first discovered in the Lake Superior region in 1845 a short distance from Lake Michigammee. Visitors can learn more about the area's mining heritage at the Iron Industry Museum in nearby Negaunee. Hiking trails cover much of the old mining area.

Visitors also stand a good chance of catching a glimpse of Michigan's largest member of the deer family. Fifty-nine moose were transplanted to the Michigammee area in 1985 and 1987, and their numbers have flourished. An information center has an interesting presentation on the transplant and biology of the moose.

Van Riper State Park features both rustic and modern camping facilities. There is also a swimming beach, bath house, picnic area and playground. For information on making reservations, contact the park office at (906) 339-4461 or go to the Department of Natural Resources' Web site at www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/ParksandTrailsInfo.aspx?id=430.

CRAIG LAKE STATE PARK
If your family is looking for a wilderness fishing adventure, then Craig Lake State Park might be the place. Michigan's most remote state park, the 6,900-acre wilderness area in Baraga County features some of the most rugged hiking trails in Michigan. Seven lakes (Clair, Crooked, Craig, Keewayden, Nelligan, Teddy and Thomas) and numerous ponds within the wilderness area offer great fishing for a variety of species.