Miller enjoys using larger baits like gold spinner blades size 7 or 8, or deep-diving Husky Jerks that create commotion and attract pike.

"I usually like finding the new weed growth on the bottom and fishing over the new growth. I am typically in about 8 to 12 feet of water and I keep my lure about a foot off the bottom," Miller said.

As Miller fishes new weed growth, his goal is always to bring the lure over the top of the pike. The good news is that northerns are aggressive and have a large strike zone.

"I try to keep my lure close to the bottom near the new weeds, but it isn't as critical as it is with other species of fish that have a small strike zone," he said. "Pike will attack anything that is within several feet of them as they rest near the weeds waiting for an easy meal."

Miller adds that he's noticed that if the pike aren't biting very well, driving over the weedbed a few times helps.

"Some people think I'm joking, but I've noticed that driving my boat over a weedbed and causing commotion seems to get pike riled up and active, which causes them to feed aggressively."

For fishing information, contact Frank's Great Outdoors at (989) 697-5341. For lodging information, contact the Bay City Convention and Visitors Bureau at (989) 893-1222 or visit www.tourbaycitymi.org.

BLUE LAKE
When Miller wants to spend a day on the water catching pike with his family, he heads to Blue Lake in Muskegon County.

"I bring my family to Blue Lake because anglers can catch a lot of pike in a short period of time," he said. "The water is crystal clear, which makes fishing fun because sometimes you can see the pike hit the bait. I often bobber fish with live minnows and have a lot of success.

"On the southwest side of the lake is Turtle Bay. I usually anchor in the bay or near the bay -- about 100 yards offshore -- and catch pike until my arms get tired."

"There's a lot of cabbage leaf weed growth throughout the area and the pike wait in the weeds to nab bluegills. There are lots of bluegills in the lake, which is what pike typically feed on. Four- to 6-pound fish in the lake are often full of bluegills when I clean them," Miller noted. The pike are frequently in 16 to 18 feet of water and are roaming about 2 feet off the bottom because that is where most of the new weed growth is. Juvenile fish that are perfect for the frying pan are typically caught in Blue Lake, but there are a few big fish in the lake.

"The nice thing about bringing the family here is after you have caught several northerns, you can go after bluegills because the lake holds so many of them."

One of the best places to access Big Blue Lake is on the southeast shore of the lake at Blue Lake Park. There is plenty of parking at this location. For lodging information, call the Muskegon County Visitors Bureau at (800) 250-9283, or visit its Web site at www.visitmuskegon.org.

As the water temperatures warm up this spring and the inland lakes around the state open up to pike fishing, get out on the water. Whether you are fishing one of the lakes I mentioned or a lake system somewhere else in the state, one thing is for sure: Pike are fun to catch, great to eat and catching them is something that will keep the kids away from the computer and provide fun at the same time.