GULL LAKE
"Gull Lake was managed as a trout and salmon lake for years, and they pretty much eliminated the smelt and a lot of the other forage fish," claimed Van Dam. "We had some pretty decent bass fishing in Gull Lake back then, but it just seemed to get worse and worse. Now that the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) has scrapped the trout and salmon program, the smelt numbers have exploded. The bass have come back big time, but it's a very different fishery."

Gull Lake is in Kalamazoo and Barry counties. Gull is considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in southern Michigan, and its 2,050 acres have exceptional water quality. That is one reason it supports a myriad of fish species. Besides coldwater species like brown trout, rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, Gull Lake boasts a thriving warmwater species community as well.

"Gull Lake used to produce a lot of 2- to 3-pound bass," Van Dam said, "but now, 4- and 5-pound bass are not uncommon."

Van Dam said the bass thrive on the baitfish populations in the lake, as well as panfish and crawfish. Catching them, though, isn't always an easy proposition. Cover is at a premium in Gull Lake's deep basin. Find weeds and you'll find game fish. Subtle points and sloping dropoffs that feature patches of submergent vegetation are natural draws. Look for bucketmouths along the southeast side of the lake where you find weeds in 10 to 30 feet of water, but they can be as deep as 60 feet at times. Another prime location is northwest of Island Park. Stumps, weeds and an irregular bottom in the northwest corner of the lake are attractive to spring largemouths.

Not all of Gull Lake's largemouths relate to structure. Pods of bass can be found suspended over open water where they shadow schools of baitfish. Covering water is the best way to make contact with these fish. Trolling may not be the preferred method of catching largemouths, but some Gull Lake anglers make big catches of bass by using Dipsey Divers. Honest! Others use light line and tackle to finesse fish with small jigs.

For information on Gull Lake's bass population, contact the Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit of the DNR at (616) 685-6851.

PINE LAKE
"Barry County's Pine Lake is known for its big crappies, but it is very good for largemouths as well," Van Dam claimed. "There's lots of structure that largemouths like. And because there are four different lakes, there are subtle differences from lake to lake."