For more information, contact the DNR's Western Lake Superior Management Unit at (906) 353-6651. Information on lodging in the area can be had by contacting the Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association at 1-800-562-7134 or online at www.uptravel.com.

LAC VIEUX DESERT
Lac Vieux Desert is another western U.P. lake that Jerry Pitts rated as one of the best for ice-fishing. The 4,300-acre mass straddles the Michigan/Wisconsin border with about 1,800 acres of it being in Michigan. Lac Vieux Desert has a reputation for producing plenty of big muskies during the fall, but the lake is also home to some very nice walleyes, perch, pike and crappies. Winter is one of the best times for a mixed-bag catch.

A hotspot for a smorgasbord is near Draper, Near and Duck islands. Located on the east side of the lake, the water drops quickly from 5 to 20 feet around the islands, and is a prime area for walleyes, perch and big northerns. Pike can also be found cruising the 10- to 20-foot contours of the main basin. Tip-ups baited with big shiners, suckers or dead smelt take the biggest pike. The dropoff directly off Duck Point is a good spot for walleyes and jumbo perch. Early in the season a prime location is off the public access in Misery Bay. Live bait works best for walleyes. Some of the biggest perch are taken on good-sized shiners intended for 'eyes.

Lac Vieux Desert gives up some very respectable bluegills and black crappies, too. The panfish relate heavily to weeds. Locate weed edges that are still green. The panfish find food and protection there from the lake's bounty of predators. Larva is best for the bluegills. The biggest specks generally come on minnows, but spikes and wax worms excel at times. Try off the mouth of Slaughter Bay and Rice Bay.

For more information on lodging, amenities and bait shops in the area, contact the Western Upper Peninsula Convention & Visitor Bureau at (906) 932-4850 or online at www.westernup.com.

BREVOORT LAKE Mackinac County's 4,230-acre Brevoort Lake is one of those lakes where you really don't know what you're going to catch, but it has reputation for producing good walleyes, northern pike, bluegills and crappies for ice-anglers.

A hotspot in the winter is in the central portion of the lake where humps, rocks and an artificial reef attract winter 'eyes. Concentrate on the 10- to 20- foot contours and work toward the center of the lake. Subtle humps and holes concentrate the walleyes. Use tip-ups or slip-bobbers and minnows during midday, and actively work jigging spoons and Jigging Rapalas in the evening.

"I wouldn't say that there are a lot of walleyes in the lake," said USFS fisheries biologist Chuck Bassett, "but there are some very nice walleyes. It would be a good place to go if you're looking for a trophy."

Ice-anglers make big catches of winter panfish and the occasional big pike in Boedne Bay. The area right off the public access features great structure and weeds that concentrate winter panfish. Black crappies topping a foot are common, and bluegills will average 7 to 9 inches. Other good spots for winter panfish are along the south shoreline dropoffs and either side of Fox and Long points. Just north of Christensens Bay is another hotspot for first-ice panfish.

Anglers can gain access to the ice off Brevoort Lake Road. For more info on accommodations, lodging and bait shops, contact the St. Ignace Area Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-338-6660 or www.stignace.com.

BURT LAKE
Located in west-central Cheboygan County, 17,260-acre Burt Lake is one of Michigan's largest inland lakes. It sees a substantial amount of fishing pressure throughout the year, mainly for the lake's perch and walleyes.