A good place to prospect for perch is right off the south shore access off Baggs Road. Anglers can turn north and find some of the lake's deepest water or go west to a 15-foot flat that harbors schools of winter perch. According to Sanders, a teardrop and wiggler is the best medicine for numbers of perch on Skegemog, but to target the real jumbos, go armed with some big shiner minnows.

For information on ice conditions, live bait and tackle, contact Jack's Sport Shop in Kalkaska at (231) 258-8892. For information on lodging and accommodations in the area, contact the Kalkaska Chamber of Commerce at (231) 258-9103, or online at www.kalkaskami.com

HAMLIN LAKE
Mason County's Hamlin Lake has a reputation as being one of the best winter bluegill lakes in the state, and deservedly so, but because of that, its productive winter perch fishery goes nearly unnoticed.

"You have to move around until you find the schools, and even then you've got to do some sorting, but if you work at it, you can usually come up with a pretty good mess," claimed Hamlin Lake regular Josh Delbarker. "A lot of the perch are going to be 8 to 10 inches, but you can get into a school of perch that will be 12 inches, too."

Most of the best winter perchin' on 5,000-acre Hamlin Lake occurs on the lower lake. While the upper lake is shallower with many weeds, the lower lake reaches depths of up to 80 feet. The lower lake features steep contours in many locations. Key to finding perch is to locate flats in 25 to 45 feet of water.

Hamlin has a rich food supply. Often, the perch are regurgitating wigglers when you bring them up, but like most places, big perch in Hamlin like meat -- big walleye-sized shiner minnows. The best tactic is to use a 1/2-ounce bell sinker on the bottom to get down quickly, two small treble hooks connected to the mainline with Bear Paw Connectors and a slip-bobber. Jigging spoons, lures and teardrops will work, too.

Anglers can enjoy hot perch action right into March on Hamlin, but the perch often move much shallower then in a pre-spawn migration. On last ice, the biggest yellowbellies can often be found in as little as 5 or 6 feet of water.

For live bait, tackle and information on guides, contact North Bayou Resort at 1-800-261-7415, or online at www.nbayou.com