Like smallmouths anywhere, Burt Lake smallies love crayfish. The lake also contains a variety of minnow species. Because of the diverse forage base, a variety of lures will fool Burt Lake smallmouths. Jigs, crankbaits, stick baits and spinnerbaits all produce at times. Live bait is a reliable backup.

For live bait, tackle and fishing reports, contact Young's Bait & Party Store at (231) 548-5286. For more information on resorts, campgrounds and amenities in the area, contact the Cheboygan Area Tourist Bureau at 1-800-968-3302, or online at www.cheboygan.com.

INTERMEDIATE LAKE
"Intermediate Lake is definitely one of the better smallmouth lakes in northwest Michigan, if not the entire state," stated Dave Rose of Wild Fishing Guide Service. "There is just a ton of bass in the lake in the 2- to 3-pound range, and fish topping 6 pounds are not uncommon."

Also called Central Lake, 1,520-acre Intermediate Lake is part of the Bellaire Chain of lakes. The lake has a maximum depth of 20 feet, so just about anywhere can be a smallmouth hotspot. The lake features plenty of stumps, brush and logs that can be smallmouth magnets. Rose said anglers who know how to use their electronics to find structure and then work it with finesse lures have the best success. Jigs adorned with plastic, tubes or pork fished enticingly close to cover will trip a smallmouth's trigger. On calm, quiet mornings and evenings before the powerboats and personal watercraft get on the water, topwater lures can bring up smallies from the depths. Using a twitch-and-pause retrieve can produce explosive strikes. Slow-rolling white or chartreuse spinnerbaits is another option.

The 5- to 10-foot contours on the south end are good places to prospect for bass right after the season opener. Later in the summer, bass set up housekeeping along the lake's 10- to 20-foot contours, especially those that have cover close by. Try along Recreation, Deepwater and One Mile points. Get out early or wait until the boat traffic clears for the best fishing.

To sample Intermediate Lake's hot smallmouth action, contact Dave Rose at Wild Fishing Guide Service at (231) 276-9874, or online at www.wildfishing.com.

PERE MARQUETTE LAKE
It never ceases to amaze me how good the smallmouth fishing is on Mason County's Pere Marquette Lake, and how few people take advantage of it. Pere Marquette is a smallmouth nirvana with tons of cover, an unlimited forage base and little fishing pressure. It would not surprise me if the new state-record smallmouth came from PM Lake. A few springs ago, a friend of mine was trolling for brown trout when a big smallie grabbed his stick bait. The bass measured 26 1/2 inches and weighed about 9 pounds, which is very close to the Michigan record! I'm convinced there are bigger bass there.

Pere Marquette Lake smallmouths can pick and choose what they want to eat. The lake has seasonal abundances of shad and alewives, and supports native populations of emerald and spot-tailed shiners. The bottom is loaded with crawfish, and with the proliferation of gobies, PM smallmouths have a veritable smorgasbord from which to choose. That could be the biggest problem for anglers. The bass have a lot to eat.