Wabana Lake has beautiful wooded shorelines, since much of the lake is within Chippewa National Forest, and several campsites are available to boaters. Side trips to another interesting lake are possible, too. Those with small boats can access 360-acre Bluewater Lake via a short channel. Bluewater is quite deep, so its smallmouth numbers are limited, but its lake trout population is good.

For more area information, go to the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce's Web site at www.grandmn.com.

ZUMBRO RIVER
Limestone-rich southeast Minnesota is home to numerous smallmouth streams. A notable one is the Zumbro River in Wabasha County.

A beautiful stream from Zumbro Lake dam down to Millville, the Zum offers 25 miles of bronzebacks and canoeable water. The first 12 miles from Zumbro Lake to the town of Zumbro Falls has catch-and-release regulations and holds some fine smallies. This section also has a surprising number of muskies, offering the angler an exciting bonus catch -- or busted fishing gear.

Downstream of Zumbro Falls, the stream has more sand, but there are also many rocky outside bends where nice-sized smallmouths lurk. These areas where the current scours out the sand are obvious when the river is at normal levels, and this is where you should direct your casts.

A variety of spinning lures as well as flies work for Zumbro smallies. Lightweight 1/16-ounce jigs are consistent, and 3- to 4-inch thin-minnow crankbaits are nearly as good. Canoes for float trips can be rented at Zumbro Falls. Wade-fishing off County Road 11, which parallels the lower Zumbro, is also an effective way to fish.

Of course, to really learn the ins and outs of stream smallmouthing, expert instruction is invaluable. The pros at Smallmouth Angler Fishing Service have been offering excellent smallmouth schools for 15 years. Visit www.smallmouthangler.com for more information.

CLEARWATER LAKE
This honeyhole has some of the best smallmouth numbers in central Minnesota.

A few miles northwest of Mille Lacs in Crow Wing County, Clearwater Lake is nearly 900 acres of fine smallmouth habitat. Though it has a decent landing at its north end, Clearwater doesn't get heavy pressure, which gives you room to roam and allows the smallies to grow large. In fact, a DNR survey found that 86 percent of the smallmouths are currently over 12 inches. Many of these are fat 15- and 16-inchers and can be found throughout the lake.

Thomas Smith, a longtime Clearwater fan, said that because the lake is indeed clear, it's wise to stay out at the 10-foot depth along the shoreline after the fish finish spawning in June. Smith also said some of the most consistent summer locations are the half-dozen shallow humps scattered through the lake. These humps come within 6 to 12 feet of the surface and are composed of the substrates smallies love -- rubble and gravel. Steep, rocky dropoffs on the west side are also fishy spots. Working deep-diving crankbaits along the edges of humps and dropoffs is a good summer technique.

If the bronzeback action slows on Clearwater, a good alternative is to try for largemouth bass in the weedy south end of the lake.

For area services, check with the Brainerd Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-450-2838. For more lake information, try the local DNR fisheries office at (218) 828-2550).