Access to both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair is good, but anglers need to use caution. These are big, shallow bodies of water that can kick up very quickly. Bass boats from 18 to 20 feet long are not designed to take on big water, so use your head when fishing either lake. Make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment on board, including a working marine radio or cell phone.

Anglers will find good launch facilities on Lake Erie at Lake Erie Metropark in Gilbraltar, at Point Mouillee State Game Area south of Rockford, at Sterling State Park on Brest Bay near Monroe, at the mouth of the Raisin River at Heildenburg Park off La Plaisance Road, at Bolles Harbor, at Otter Creek between Bolles Harbor and Toledo Beach, and at Luna Pier. For additional information on amenities and accommodations in the area, contact the Monroe County Convention & Tourism Bureau at 1-800-252-3011 or at www.thebureau@monroe.com.

Access sites abound along the Detroit River. Anglers can gain access to the river at Elizabeth Park, in the city of Wyandotte, near Zug Island and at Alter Road.

Access sites on Lake St. Clair are numerous. Contact the DNR Livonia office at (734) 953-0241 for boat launch sites on Lake St. Clair.

Prime smallmouth areas on Lake St. Clair include Little Muscamoot Bay, near Strawberry Island, the north end of Long Point Bay, the mouth of the Middle Channel, the North Channel just downstream from Decker's Landing and the mouth of the Clinton River. Metropolitan Beach on Huron Point is a popular access for bass anglers and is close to the excellent fishing that is usually found off the mile roads off St. Clair Shores.

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Michigan bass anglers are very lucky. They have some of the best smallmouth angling in the world right at their back doors. And we don't have to contend with any 'gators like they do down South!

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