Just to the east of Green Road is some of the deepest water in the basin, and that's where you're most likely to find winter perch, walleyes and pike. All three species have been making a good comeback in recent years. An aggressive program for removing white suckers from the lake seems to be paying dividends, because game fish are making a comeback. Alternate-year stocking of walleyes has been very successful, and winter anglers take plenty of 'eyes in the 16- to 24-inch range. Spotting a lively shiner minnow on a tip-up or Slammer -- or jigging with a spoon -- along the 15- to 25-foot contours can be very productive. Some decent-sized northern pike can be found cruising the same vicinity. The pike find it hard to resist a golden shiner below a tip-up.

For live bait, tackle and licenses, contact Lake City Sport Shop at (231) 839-4875. For accommodations and lodging in the area, contact the Lake City Chamber of Commerce at (231) 839-4969, or visit their Web site at www.lakecitymich.com.

LAKES MITCHELL & CADILLAC
Two of Michigan's premier winter fishing destinations are Wexford County's lakes Mitchell and Cadillac. Both lakes offer safe ice conditions well before Christmas, and a variety of species, some of which reach trophy proportions.

"Last winter was strange," offered Steve Knaisel of Pilgrim's Village & Resort. "We didn't have the good first-ice bite on the panfish like we normally have. Everyone was wondering where the crappies and bluegills were. Then about mid-February, people started finding fish, and the fishing was outstanding right up until ice-out."

Both lakes Mitchell and Cadillac produce outstanding catches of winter panfish. Both lakes are excellent for black crappies that will average 10 to 14 inches. Mitchell might get the edge when it comes to bluegills and sunfish, but winter perch action is better on Cadillac. A prime location on Cadillac for crappies is near the M-55 causeway where you'll find some of the deepest water on Lake Cadillac. The area referred to as Blind Island is always a hotspot for panfish on Lake Mitchell. Minnows usually take the biggest crappies, and spikes and maggots are tops for the 'gills, although the specks feed heavily on the abundant aquatic insect life found in the lake.

"We had kind of a normal season on pike," suggested Knaisel. "We had a few in the 38- to 40- inch range, and there were a lot of pike from 24 to 36 inches."

Knaisel said that as a general rule, Mitchell is best for numbers of pike, while Cadillac usually produces the bigger northerns. If you want to have some family fun, set some tip-ups on Mitchell. The action is usually non-stop. If you're looking for Master Angler-sized fish, use jumbo suckers and smelt rigs, and concentrate on Cadillac.

Both lakes Cadillac and Mitchell are very accessible, so they see plenty of fishing pressure, and the fish are no pushovers. Light line, delicate rods and spring bobbers -- and good electronics -- are often necessary to fool the lake's panfish on a consistent basis.

"Last year, we had good, clear ice at the beginning of the season with no snow on it and the fish were spooky," claimed Knaisel. "Some of the guys were spreading a tarp out to create some cover and then fishing around the edges of the tarp." Sometimes you need to think outside the box to catch fish on lakes Mitchell and Cadillac.