Clearwater Lodge & Fly-in Outpost Camps: There are three Smallmouth Bass fishing scenarios on our lakes. Smaller bass in the ½ to 2-pound range generally stick together in hunting packs. When you come across one of these schools you can experience non-stop action. Second, Smallmouth Bass in the 2 to 4-pound range will not travel in tight packs but will share a shoal or rocky point so casting in all directions and covering the whole shoal should produce a couple of nice bass. The bigger bass tend to stay on the opposite side of the shoal from where the waves are coming from. The third scenario is for big Trophy Smallmouth Bass in the 5 to 7 pound range. The big bass are usually older, smarter and travel in mating pairs and can be hard to find. When you find a spot that looks good for Smallmouth and you are not catching anything it could mean a big Muskie or Pike has moved into the area or there is a big pair of Smallmouth Bass and they have been spooked. What you want to do is leave for a half hour and then quietly come back as to not spook them. If you still don't catch a big bass, pull out one of the Muskie and Pike lures. www.clearwaterlodge.net

Camp Manitou is located on Lower Manitou Lake, which is a fantastic bass lake. The rocky points and shoals are swarming with Smallmouth Bass with them being common in the 1 to 5-pound range. The weedy bays have big Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass are not as common because their babies get eaten by Pike and Smallmouth but the ones that make it to maturity get big. Lower Manitou Lake is also stuffed with Muskie, Lake Trout and Northern Pike. There are portage lakes with awesome Walleye fishing as well as day long fly-outs to trophy Walleye lakes.. www.campmanitoufishing.com