Walleyes are found all along the shores of Lake St. Clair, but public access is limited from Grosse Pointe Farms to St. Clair Shores. However, numerous access locations farther north include Point Huron Metro Park, Metro Beach, Anchor Bay, New Baltimore, Swan Creek, Anchor Bay Drive and Middle Channel Drive.

Anchor Bay is first to ice over. The best catches come at dawn and dusk because the water is shallow and the walleyes are spooky. This area is also well known for fantastic perch fishing. Many anglers seek walleyes in 18 to 24 feet near the shipping channel and 12 to 18 feet off Grosse Pointe, and then move to shallow water in search of yellow perch. Glow-in-the-dark Swedish Pimples tipped with perch minnows or a sucker minnow head produce most of the low-light walleyes.

Lake St. Clair is relatively shallow, and savvy anglers catch walleyes by working pockets of deep water. Many times these pockets are surrounded by weedbeds, and hungry walleyes skulk in the structure and slam offerings fluttering past ambush points.

For more information, contact the Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce at (586) 725-5148, or online at www.lakestclair.net

LITTLE BAY DE NOC
No article on fat walleyes would be complete without the fantastic ice-fishery found on Little Bay de Noc in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

This region has a reputation for producing huge walleyes, and most DNR Master Angler Award fish come during the winter when pre-spawn females are gorging on minnows in preparation for the spring ritual. As winter progresses, "hens" develop larger eggs, and it is common for a 30-inch walleye to tip the scales at over 10 pounds.

Gladstone plays host to this fantastic winter fishery, with thick ice and suitable walleye habitat found close by. Many anglers park at the city boat launch and head to the fishing grounds on ATVs or snowmobiles laden with ice-fishing gear. Hotspots are located less than two miles from shore in deep-water hideouts -- 30 to 35 feet deep -- thus providing ample cover, forage fish and ideal habitat for roaming walleyes.

Some locals think zebra mussels have cleaned the water in the bay, thus making the walleye bite somewhat unpredictable. One day you catch a fish or two, and other days they bite like gangbusters.