Anglers generally refer to the lakes as Lake 1 through Lake 5. Lake 5 attracts the most fishing pressure because of anglers' easy access to the lake. Lake Two is the deepest -- 45 feet -- in the chain. It offers a lot of prime largemouth lairs.

Because Arbutus Lake is fairly shallow, it fishes best early in the season before the weeds have had much chance to grow. That's especially true on lakes 1 and 5.

Opening day in May usually finds springtime bass on their beds or patrolling the shallows near the beds. Either way, they're suckers for a plastic worm or a jig-and-pig danced enticingly near the beds. Topwater baits draw their share of attention from Hamlin largemouths, and once bass retreat to the deeper structure, soft-plastic baits excel. In any case, weedless lures are preferred once the vegetation gets thick. You'll catch plenty of largemouths in the 1 1/2- to 3-pound range, and the chance for a 6-pound trophy is real.

Hamlin's bass anglers will also enjoy the limitations on the water that control water-skiing, private watercrafts and high-speed boating. Operating restrictions for these activities are in place on lakes 2, 3 and 4, while these activities are prohibited on lakes 1 and 5. It's a rare treat to be able to fish unmolested these days.

Public boat launches are in place on lakes 2, 4 and 5. For information on lodging and accommodations in the area, contact the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce at (231) 947-5075, or online at www.tcchamber. org.

LAKE MITCHELL
Lake Mitchell is one of those "everything" lakes, and it's an especially good bass-fishing lake.

"Lake Mitchell has excellent largemouth bass habitat -- shallow, weedy -- and there are plenty of good-sized largemouths in it," Tonello said.

With few spots on the lake deeper than 20 feet, most of Lake Mitchell's 2,580 acres holds bass habitat. Weeds engulf the lake in the summer, making it seem perfect for largemouths, but smallmouth bass outnumber largemouths 2-to-1. Still, some of the biggest bass coming from Mitchell are largemouths. Fish topping 5 pounds are common.

Successful anglers targeting largemouths on Lake Mitchell know how to fish the prolific weedbeds. Pitchin' and flippin' into the holes in the weeds is a proven technique. Cover the water quickly, plunking plastic worms or lizards into the open pockets in the weeds and hold on. White spinnerbaits can be productive when worked parallel to the weedbeds. And on calm evenings and mornings, topwater baits can provoke explosive strikes over the weeds. Get away from the weeds and you'll catch smallmouths. That's the kind of problem bass anglers like to have!

The shallow coves on Mitchell's west side of the lake hold good largemouths early in the season. As the lake warms and weeds start to grow, the bass spread out and can be found just about anywhere. Blind Island and some structure found along the northeast and north sides of the lake are worth checking out.

Modern boat launches are situated on the west side of the Lake Mitchell, near Big Cove and across from Mitchell State Park.

For lake maps, fishing reports, bait and tackle, call Pilgrim's Village and Resort in Cadillac at (231) 775-5412. Information on other amenities and accommodations in the area is available by contacting the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce in Cadillac at (231) 775-9776 or online at www.cadillacmichigan.com.