During the summer, shoreline fishing can be productive during mornings and evenings, and overcast days. Targeting shorelines that are 4 to 6 feet deep and have boulders or thick bulrush stands is a good way to find shallow-water fish. Working medium-running crayfish-colored crankbaits along these types of shorelines is a productive tactic. When it's bright and sunny, the smallmouths in Turtle often drop into 20- to 30-foot depths. DNR surveys confirm the fish's propensity to use deep water. Midsummer nets set at 30 feet deep have produced good numbers of smallmouths. A good way to catch these deep-water smallies is to locate humps and rockbars in the east section of the lake with your depthfinder. Then work these targets with tube jigs, especially ones in camo and pumpkinseed. The narrow section of Turtle Lake that runs north and south is deeper than the eastern portion, but still holds plenty of bronzebacks. In this section of the lake, target rocky points and deep humps.

For more information on area lakes and facilities, contact the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce (www.grandmn.com) or Frontier Bait (218-832-3901) in Marcel.

LAKE ALEXANDER
Alexander is one of the most popular lakes in Morrison County because of its pleasing scenery and diverse fishery. The lake's healthy populations of walleyes, muskies, pike and panfish cause many folks to overlook the smallies. This is great for you and I, since Alexander has an abundance of smallmouths.

Due to several unusually good spawning years, right now 2,800-acre Lake Alexander holds above-average numbers of hard-charging 14- and 15-inchers, plus some much bigger bronzebacks. Like many clear lakes, Alexander fishes best on overcast days. However, my friend Bob Thompson does reasonably well on the lake even during sunny conditions. He scores by carefully working offshore humps down to 30 feet using jigs on 6-pound-test fluorocarbon line. The Haystack Island area on the south side of the lake has a lot of rocky humps and plenty of smallies. Nearby weedbeds can hold some impressive muskies, plus quality-sized largemouths. The west end of the lake is another structure-rich area where smallmouths are common.

Three good boat ramps provide easy access. The DNR Little Falls office (320-616-2450) monitors Alex.

MILLE LACS
Several years ago the excitement over Mille Lacs' gargantuan smallies was at a fever pitch. Many headed to the big lake expecting to quickly hook lunkers. Of course, this didn't always happen, since big smallmouths aren't pushovers anywhere. However, over the past decade, Mille Lacs has proven itself to be one of the very best "big bronze" destinations in the entire region. Those who take the time to learn the big lake can regularly catch fish over 4 pounds. And with a 21-inch minimum size regulation in place, Mille Lacs is likely to remain the place to go for eye-popping smallmouths.

The easiest way to connect with Mille Lacs smallies is to focus on the south end of the lake. The south shore -- with its multitude of rocky islands, humps and rockpiles -- supports the most fish. And sometimes they're on top of rockpiles only a few feet deep. Twin Bay, Isle Harbor, Wahkon Bay and Cove Bay all have rocky areas where smallmouths can be found. But these south-end smallies have seen a lot of lures the past few years and often require finessing with smaller baits, lighter lines, slower retrieves and quieter approaches.

Another way to catch Mille Lacs smallies is to leave the popular southern zone. Smallmouth numbers may not be as high along the west and north shorelines, but fishing pressure will be less and the bass are just as big. Carefully target the small amount of rock along those shorelines and also any submergent weed patches. Spinnerbaits are the ticket for weedy conditions, and crankbaits are the choice for covering open water. Tube jigs can't be beat for finicky fish.

Contact the Mille Lacs Tourism Department for the scoop on guides, resorts and other services at 1-888-350-2692 or www.millelacs.com.