"During our most recent survey we found walleyes from 6 to 29 inches, with the bulk of those fish in the 13- to 20-inch range," said Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Neal Godby. "We also found several good year-classes of yellow perch up to 14 inches."

Godby said that the DNR has not planted walleyes in Burt Lake in recent years, and that the lake is basically self-sustaining. Northern pike were also found to be fairly common, with specimens up to 38 inches, although the average fish was between 18 and 25 inches.

A hotspot for early-season walleyes and panfish is around the mouth of Maple and Bullhead bays. The Maple and Crooked rivers enter the lake there, and nearby weedbeds attract a variety of game-fish species. Walleyes can be caught along the 10- to 20-foot contours off Colonial and Kings points. Another first-ice hotspot is right off Burt Lake State Park on the south end of the lake. Later in the season, try the irregular contours along the east side between Dagwell and Cedar points, and off Greenman Point on the north end.

Perch can be caught during midwinter in the 30- to 50-foot depths in the center portion of the lake. Schools of perch roam the deeper water, and if an angler works at it, you can take a bucketful from 8 to 10 inches. Wigglers fished below a slip-bobber is a proven tactic. Minnows work, too.

Burt Lake also features an untapped winter fishery for steelhead and brown trout. It receives regular plants of both species. The steelhead run up the Sturgeon and Maple rivers in spring and fall, but few anglers pursue them in the winter.

For more information on bait shops, guides and accommodations, contact the Indian River Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-238-9325 or online at www.irchamber.com.

MANISTEE LAKE
This Manistee Lake -- not to be confused with the Manistee Lake in the county of the same name -- is located in north-central Kalkaska County. The 860-acre lake's deepest spot is only 16 feet, but the outflow of the Manistee River and several creeks entering the lake ensure a steady supply of nutrients.

"Manistee Lake is a lot like Houghton Lake," said Gary Gile of Jack's Sport Shop in Kalkaska. "The lake is pretty featureless, so there's not much in the way of structure."

In spite of that fact, the lake gives up some slab crappies and jumbo perch. Gile said a hotspot for big specks is north of the public access on the east side where the bottom shelves from 10 to 16 feet. "The best time is right before dark," he said. "I usually fish one dead rod with a minnow on it and jig the other." Gile said crappies up to 14 inches are fairly common. The crappies tend to suspend, so a flasher can be a big help.

"There are some big perch in Manistee Lake, too," said Gile. He said that a 13-inch perch weighing nearly 2 pounds caught from Manistee Lake was currently leading the board at the sport shop. He said that ice-anglers fishing with big blue shiners for walleye routinely catch perch in the 13- to 14- inch range. Walleyes are an added bonus. Look for winter 'eyes in the north-central portion of the lake in 10 feet of water.

For live bait, tackle and lake maps, contact Jack's Sport Shop in Kalkaska at (231) 258-8892. For accommodations, contact the Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-487-6880 or www.kalkaskami.com.