ST. MARYS RIVER
The St. Marys begins in Lake Superior and separates Canada and Michigan for nearly 70 miles before flowing into Lake Huron. The sections attracting the attention of muskie hunters are the mid and lower portions of the river where the current breaks and expansive weedbeds are found.

Fish in the 40- to 50-inch size range are available beginning near Birch Point between Mosquito and Waiska bays, and down to De Tour Point. Potagannissing and Munuscong bays are both hotspots as well.

Plenty of Master Angler Award fish have come out of the river and its bays. Last year a 52-inch monster was taken in Chippewa County, and over the last couple of years numerous 40-inch and better fish have been recorded. Experienced anglers respect the moving water that can be deceptive due to the width of the river. Using GPS may be the only way to mark a spot where a "follower" muskie was found.

Public access includes the campground on Munuscong Bay, at Dunbar on the West Neebish Channel south of the Charlotte River, the township-owned park on Raber Bay and at the De Tour Passage a mile south of De Tour. Potagannissing Bay can be accessed from the campground on Maxton Bay north of Drummond Island.

Additional fishing information can be had by calling the Lake Huron Management Unit at (989) 732-3541. Contact the Sault Convention and Visitor's Bureau at (906) 632-3301 or on the Web at www.saultstemarie.com for information on lodging and local amenities.

SANFORD LAKE
The most well-known lake in the Tittabawassee River system is Sanford Lake in Midland County, followed by Wixom, Secord and Smallwood lakes.

"Anglers can catch good numbers of muskies in Sanford, and the muskies are bigger," said Kathryn Schrouder, a fisheries biologist with the South Lake Huron Management Unit.

According to Schrouder, muskies have been stocked in all of these waters, though Sanford currently has the best fishing.

"Sanford is a tough nut to crack but the trophy potential is there," said Don Barnard, a DNR fisheries technician with the management area.

An avid Sanford muskie angler himself, Barnard recommends spinnerbaits in the spring and early summer, topwaters in the evening during June and the usual array of bucktails, spinnerbaits and topwaters in the hot summer months.

"The fish you do catch are really nice, and a lot of them are over 40 inches," said Barnard.

According to Barnard, Sanford is tough to pattern due to changing conditions. Weed edges are primary holding points during summer, and should be targeted first. Sanford covers 1,250 acres, with bottom features including stumps and an old riverbed.

Nearby Secord covers 815 acres and Smallwood 232 acres in Gladwin County, while Wixom covers 1,980 acres in Gladwin and Midland counties. Public access on Smallwood Lake is found on the west shore at State Route 61 and Lakeview Drive. Sanford has boat ramps off River Road in the Black Creek State Forest campground and at the Midland County Park. Secord Lake access is off Pineland Road on the north side and from a ramp on Sioux Road on the south side of the lake. A boat ramp on Wixom Lake is located off Dundas Road on the east side of the left branch.

For additional fishing information, contact the South Lake Huron Management Area at (989) 684-9141. For local information, contact the Midland County Convention and Visitor's Bureau at 1-888-464-3526 or on the Web at www.midlandcvb.org.

Muskie angling opportunities abound in Michigan. If you're looking for some of the state's best bets for muskie action, these lakes and rivers are it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on the Web at www.michigan.gov/dnr for more information or for lake maps. Call Travel Michigan at 1-888-784-7328 or visit their Web site at www.michigan.org for additional assistance in planning a trip.