For live bait, tackle and lake maps, contact Young's Bait at (231) 548-5286. For information on accommodations and lodging in the area, contact the Boyne Country Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-845-2828, or online at www.boynecountry.com

HUBBARD LAKE
Alcona County's Hubbard Lake is famous for its perch.

"Hubbard Lake produces some jumbo perch up to 15 inches," said Department of Natural Resources' Northern Lake Huron fisheries biologist Tim Cwalinski. "The perch numbers tend to be cyclic, but there's a fair number of medium-sized perch in the lake, too."

Cwalinski added that Hubbard Lake has a good population of shiners, minnows and other invertebrates that provide excellent perch forage. Most perch caught through the ice on Hubbard average a solid 10 inches.

Finding the perch schools on expansive 8,850-acre Hubbard Lake is the difficult part. A shantytown develops each winter on the north and south ends of the lake in 30 to 50 feet of water. Perch schools take up residence there during midwinter and offer consistent action. Try the usual assortment of baits, including wax worms, wigglers and minnows. Hotspots on first ice include the areas around the weedbeds in East and North bays. Early and late in the season, ice-anglers congregate out from Churchill Point and Harwood Point.

Public access to Hubbard Lake can be gained at Backus Beach, on East Bay and at North Bay.

For information on accommodations, bait shops and guides in the area, contact the Alpena Convention & Visitors Bureau at (989) 354-4181, or online at www.alpenacvb.com

NORTH MANISTIQUE LAKE
Luce County's North Manistique Lake -- also called Round Lake -- is one of the U.P.'s premier winter perch lakes. The 1,722-acre lake produces consistent perch catches for winter anglers, with some of the biggest specimens pushing 14 inches.

Located near the town of Curtis, North Manistique Lake has depths of up to 50 feet, which is where you're likely to find the perch once winter sets in. On first ice, probing around the artificial reefs found on the west and north shores can pay big dividends. The lake's bottom is mostly sand with some gravel, and with sparse weed growth, any type of structure is likely to attract schools of perch. A good starting point is right off the Luce County Park located on the lake's south shore.