The Wolf River winds from New London downstream to Lake Poygan, stopping along the way at Partridge Lake and Partridge Crop Lake. The Wolf holds walleyes and bluegills all summer long, while the smaller lakes are hotbeds for panfish and pike activity. Look for bluegills wherever you find brush along the riverbank and in weeds in the smaller lakes.

Lake Poygan, which covers more than 14,000 acres, has a diverse fishery that will keep the kids or the most experienced angler hopping for hours at a time. Walleyes, white bass and crappies make spring spawning runs up the Wolf River, then drift slowly back downstream to Poygan and the lower lakes of Winneconne, Butte des Morts and Winnebago. Kids can have a blast with a bobber and minnow or small spinnerbaits to catch white bass while Dad jigs for walleyes. The northwest shore of Poygan near Tustin is a crappie hotspot all summer.

Numerous boat landings serve the lake and the river, making access easy. There are several resorts, campgrounds and bait shops in the area as well.

Contacts: Wolf River Sports, Winneconne, (920) 582-0471, or WolfRiverSports.com; Winneconne Area Chamber of Commerce, (920) 582-4775, or Winneconne.org; Larry & Jan's Resort, (920) 446-3161, or Fremontwi.com or WolfRiverCountry.com.

KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST NORTHERN UNIT
The Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest covers about 30,000 acres just an hour northwest of Milwaukee in Washington, Fond du Lac and Sheboygan counties. The entire forest is open to hiking and exploring, and there are two main recreation areas: Mauthe Lake and Long Lake. Special camping areas accommodate large groups and horseback riders.

The state forest also has more than 130 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and backpacking, including 31 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, with shelters for overnight camping. A great place to start exploring the forest is the Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center. The naturalist staff provides educational and entertaining programs throughout the year.

At 427 acres, Long Lake is the largest of a dozen or so kettle lakes in the forest. Located just north of Dundee, it is deep and clear, with good numbers of bass, panfish, walleyes and northern pike. The Milwaukee River's East Branch begins at the outlet of Long Lake and flows through Mauthe Lake and the state forest. The lake's weedbeds along the east shore, a mid-lake hump and several underwater points hold all species. Light line and small baits are recommended in this clear water.

The state forest campground at Long Lake has over 200 campsites, flush toilets and showers, but no electrical hookups. There is a boat launch here and a handicapped-accessible fishing pier. There are also several private boat landings on the lake and two private campgrounds on the west shore.

Mauthe Lake covers 78 acres and has a depth of 28 feet. It lies entirely within the forest, and the only development is the campground on the east shore. Weeds ring the lake, and the deep weed edge holds bass and panfish. A dam at the outlet maintains a stable water level. At high water levels, you can launch a canoe a mile upstream in New Prospect and paddle down to the lake, or you can launch at the boat landing on the lake and canoe downstream to New Fane. You'll need to provide your own shuttle service, but these are great family float trips.

Mauthe Lake Campground has 137 sites, including 49 electrical sites, a shower building and pit toilets. You can even rent an authentic Native American plains teepee. Accessible campsites are also available. Contact stations at both campgrounds are open 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day.