Sathre said he thinks the Cass bluegills are a well-kept secret because they are so skittish.

For more fishing information on Gull Lake, Round Lake and North Long Lake, contact Walleye Dan Guide Service at www.walleyedan.com. For other info, contact the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce at www.explorebrainerdlakes.com, or at 1-800-450-2838.

YOUR BACK YARD?
Minnesota is also home to thousands of small bodies of water with big bluegills, perch and crappies. These lakes would be very susceptible to pressure if more than a few anglers knew about them. With names like Forest Service Lake No. 3 and City Pond No. 8, they are usually fished by only a handful of anglers -- or nobody at all.

Sathre said there are at least a dozen lakes within a few miles of his Bemidji home that are full of big bluegills. Having their names published is nothing he's eager to do, though he said local bait shops gladly give up the names to inquisitive anglers.

Likewise, Eigen said the Brainerd Lakes Area's well-known bodies of water are great panfish spots, but the smaller bodies of water are the best-guarded secrets. "I love the big water, but it's tough to beat being the only guy on a small lake pulling in panfish hand over fist," Eigen said.

Eigen, Tuma and Sathre all urge anglers to use their best judgment when they stumble onto these smaller bodies of water. Because they are guarded secrets, the only way the fishing will remain good on them is if people release most of what they catch.

"Keep what you need for a good meal, but let the rest go so you can catch them again," Tuma said.

A run-and-gun approach can be used on these lakes -- only on a smaller scale. While no self-respecting angler or bait shop would reveal the name of one of these lakes, it's easy to figure them out with a little research on the DNR's Web site for stocking reports.

"Many lakes in your back yard will offer some good bluegill fishing, so if you don't want to drive halfway across the state, you don't have to," Tuma said.

If that little lake near your house doesn't interest you, Tuma recommended fishing the Mississippi River backwaters near Wabasha. There's current flowing through there, so be careful with the ice conditions, but the bluegills are huge and easy to find in water 4 to 7 feet deep.

Lakes in the Twin Cities, such as Harriet, Calhoun and Prior, are also great locations, though they tend to be more about numbers than sheer size. Still, it's tough to beat a solid day of pulling panfish out of a lake within sight of downtown. Waconia is another metro panfish hotspot for crappies and bluegills.