LAC LA BELLE
Lac La Belle is French for “beautiful lake.” This 1,146-acre lake on the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in the U.P. fits that description and more. Some people claim that the lake is most beautiful in the fall, and many of them are anglers. Lac La Belle is home to an interesting mix of walleyes, pike and muskies that should keep any fisher happy, and fall is a great time to chase all three species.

La Lac Belle doesn’t have much deep water. The deepest part of the basin is around 38 feet, so fish can be found just about anywhere. Points extending from three locations on the north shore are perfect places to begin your search for walleyes. The contours quickly drop from 10 to 30 feet of water. Live-bait rigging or jigging is a good tactic for the walleyes that typically average a healthy 22 to 24 inches, and 9- to 10-pound ‘eyes aren’t unheard of.

Dragging good-sized chubs is not only likely to interest the lake’s trophy walleyes, but also the resident northern pike that will routinely top 30 inches. Look for pike to congregate off the mouth of the Little Gratiot River on the lake’s west end. Muskies can be found throughout the lake, and the nastier the weather, the better it is for Esox fishing. If you have the patience, soak a big sucker under a bobber off the mouth of the Mendota Canal. A better option, though, is to troll the 15- to 25-foot dropoff while pulling a big spinnerbait or crankbait.

For details on fall fishing opportunities on Lac La Belle, contact Lac La Belle Lodge at 1-888-294-7634 or online at www.laclabellelodge.com.

HIGGINS LAKE
Higgins Lake’s potpourri of trout are somewhat difficult to catch during the open-water season, but late fall is the one time they move shallow, and angler success skyrockets.

“The trout fishing usually gets good about mid-October and lasts until freeze-up,” claimed Eric Carlson of the Phoenix Park Party Store. “In fact, it’s often the later, the better.”

Last fall, one angler brought a 27-pound brown trout into the store, and rainbows up to 17 or 18 pounds are caught with some regularity. The average ‘bow, though, will be closer to 20 inches and 3 or 4 pounds. Browns tend to run slightly larger. In recent years, the Department of Natural Resources has been planting more rainbows than browns in Higgins Lake.

The best location for fall trout, according to Carlson, is between Higgins Lake North State Park and the west side public access. Anglers troll the dropoff there with body baits off long lines and in-line planers. Shore-and surf-anglers use a smorgasbord of spawn, wigglers, crawlers or minnows to tempt the trout. The bait is anchored with a slip-sinker, and anglers then play a waiting game. People also key in on a gravelly area on the south end of the north bay off Sam-o-set Street, according to Carlson.

If you tag your deer early in the gun season, head here next to try your hand at landing some of Higgins Lake’s trophy trout. It will round out your smorgasbord.

For live bait, maps and some awesome pizza bread, contact Phoenix Park Party Store at (989) 821-7220.

Fall means hunting to many Michiganders, but if you forget about our great fishing, you’re making a big mistake. Be sure to get out there!

(Editor’s Note: Fishing guide, author and photographer Mike Gnatkowski has turned his attention to one of his other loves -- wild-game cooking -- to compile a cookbook of easy, delicious recipes everyone can prepare. Wild Game Simple features over 100 straightforward recipes to prepare everything from fish to venison to waterfowl. The recipes are a compilation of the captain’s secret blends, customers’ offerings and old-time favorites. Signed copies of the cookbook are available for $24.95 plus $4.95 for shipping and handling. Michigan residents need to add 6 percent sales tax. The book is available online at www.gnatoutdoors.com, or by mail at P.O. Box 727, Ludington, MI 49431.)

Find more about Michigan fishing and hunting at: MichiganSportsmanMag.com.