Photo by Ron Sinfelt

It's been a long time since the Badger State's bass records were set. The record largemouth bass of 11 pounds, 3 ounces was taken from Lake Ripley in Jefferson County in 1940, and Wisconsin's top smallmouth bass weighing 9 pounds, 1 ounce was pulled out of Indian Lake in Oneida County back in 1950. Even though these records have stood for a long time, bass fishing in our state today is not only excellent but also getting better each and every year.

The improvement in bass fishing is a direct result of Department of Natural Resources management efforts and angler catch-and-release practices. The general inland fishing regulations list a minimum size limit of 14 inches for both bass species statewide, but more than 50 specific lakes and streams have special regulations and larger size limits, which qualify them as "Quality Bass Waters." Most of these quality bass lakes and rivers are located in northern Wisconsin, but they are not the only places where you can find excellent bass fishing up north.

Take some time this summer to try these northwoods honeyholes for smallmouths and largemouths.

MENOMINEE RIVER
James Braun is a bass fishing fanatic and tournament angler from Sheboygan who claims that everyone knows about the Menominee River's topnotch smallmouth bass fishery up on the Michigan border. Everyone might know about it, but the Menominee is still one of the best locations if you are looking for both quantity and quality bass fishing in a wilderness-like setting. Much of the shoreline is undeveloped and picturesque, but this also means the boat ramps are located mostly in remote areas, and are often primitive.

The Menominee is a large river separating the Wisconsin counties of Marinette and Florence from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Smallies are the dominant species in the Menominee, but the calm water of the flowages produce largemouths, too. It's not unusual to boat several dozen bronzebacks during a day of fishing by casting artificial baits to the shoreline or midriver structure and cover. The rock, wood and weed cover holds crayfish and baitfish, so crankbaits and spinners work well. The size of the bass varies, but trophies over the 20-inch mark are scattered throughout the river.

Crivitz-area guide Mike Mladenik promotes the Menominee's stained water and its bronzeback population, and although he also markets a line of bass fishing tackle, he prefers a simple live-bait rig for much of his bronzeback fishing. "Live bait is the best method if you're after big fish," Mladenik said.

For information on lodging in the area, visit the Crivitz Recreation Association Web site at www.crivitzrecreation.com. They provide maps detailing the location of boat ramps, bait dealers and other attractions. For guide service, contact Mladenik at (715) 854-2055.

LAKE NOQUEBAY
Marinette County's biggest lake contains both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The bigmouth variety is far more common in this 2,409-acre lake, but on some days you will catch more smallies.

Noquebay is located a few miles northeast of Crivitz. It's easy to fish the lake one day for largemouth bass and then to go to the Menominee River the next day for smallmouths.

Bass anglers who get away from the shallow shoreline areas and fish the deep-water weed edges catch the largest Lake Noquebay bass. This is also a lake in which live bait -- minnows in spring and leeches in summer -- will catch the most and biggest bass. Use slip-bobbers to drift the bait tight to the weedbeds.

Visit the Marinette Area Chamber of Commerce's Web site at www.marinettechamber.com for information on travel and lodging in Marinette County.