Once considered better for largemouth bass than smallmouths, 748-acre Lake Antoine has undergone a transformation that Ziegler said is becoming more common in lakes across the U.P. "Smallmouths now dominate many U.P. bass lakes," Ziegler stated. Ziegler said this has come about because of good recruitment in recent years as a result of ideal spawning conditions and voluntary catch-and-release.

Prime locations to prospect for smallmouths on Lake Antoine are on the south side along the sloping contours off the island, around a hump halfway between the island and the senior citizens park, on the north side off a couple of points there and along the manmade spawning bar right off the boat launch on the northwest side. Dragging jigs with either live bait or plastics is usually all that's needed. Expect plenty of bass in the 1 1/2- to 3-pound range, and bronzebacks topping 4 pounds are plentiful.

For more information on lodging, accommodations and amenities in the Western U.P., contact the Western Upper Peninsula Convention & Visitors Bureau at (906) 932-4850, or online at www.westernup.com.

LITTLE & BIG BAYS DE NOC
You really can't mention Michigan smallmouths and not mention the U.P.'s Little and Big Bays de Noc.

"Both of the Bays de Noc have amazing smallmouth fisheries," said Mike Herman, Northern Lake Michigan Management Unit fisheries supervisor and avid smallmouth angler. "They are far and away the best smallmouth fisheries that we have in this area. I think the fact that the bays are such a huge body of water intimidates people. That and the fact that everyone is walleye crazy."

Herman said catching a couple dozen bass that will average 14 to 15 inches -- with a few 18-inch-plus trophies thrown in -- is no big deal. Herman said two things make the bays such an incredible smallmouth venue: the lack of fishing pressure for bass and a newfound source of food, which are the gobies.

"The bass are just gorging on the gobies. For that reason, it's pretty hard to beat a motor-oil or pumpkinseed-colored tube jig for the bass," suggested Herman. "You're matching the hatch."

Herman said the best bass fishing on the Bays de Noc occurs in early to mid-June. Waters are warming then, bass are active and they are in the shallows around spawning structure. Some anglers fish for bass during midday when the walleye fishing slows, but for the most part, smallmouths are not targeted, especially on Big Bay de Noc.

Little Bay de Noc has better access, and as the name implies, it is a smaller body of water to deal with. The smallies concentrate in the early season off gravel shoals near the mouths of rivers that enter the bay, like the Rapid, Ford, Tacoosh and Days. June is prime time for spanking the smallmouths here. Later, the bass retreat to deep water and relate to points near Kipling and around Hunters and Saunders points. The rocky substrate is home to the smallmouth's two favorite delicacies -- crayfish and gobies. A tube jig skittered, hopped and manipulated across the bottom does a good job of imitating both. Good access to the bay can be found at Kipling, off Saunders and Hunters points, and near Rapid River.