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It may not be summer yet, but it is big fish time in the Midwest. From walleyes in Lake Erie to bass in Oklahoma's McGee Creek Reservoir, early spring is the time to bundle up and shoot for a trophy catch. Lake Erie's Western Basin March and April, when the ice reluctantly surrenders its grip on Lake Erie, is the time to catch trophy walleyes in the Western Basin. Activity centers around the town of Port Clinton and the waters off Marblehead Lighthouse. Two years ago, the new Ohio state record walleye--15.95 pounds--came from Marblehead late in March. Roger Knight, Ohio Division of Wildlife Fisheries Supervisor in Sandusky, believes there are probably 17-pound walleyes swimming in Lake Erie. "The best hatch we've ever seen on Lake Erie was in 1982, somewhere between 150 and 200 million walleyes. The state record fish was one of those 1982 walleyes, and there are more out there. Fish are at their heaviest in March when the females are full of eggs." Anglers in search of a trophy should concentrate in the waters around Marblehead. "If the lake isn't too rough, you can fish quite effectively close to Marblehead in a small boat, because the water drops off quickly from the shore," says Knight. While Marblehead is well-known on Lake Erie, Knight says the area remains fairly uncrowded early in the season. Ice-fishing techniques work best early in the season; try vertical jigging, using short pumps to keep your lure on or near the bottom. The serious anglers use flashers which are sensitive enough to show their bait on the bottom. "It's almost like a video game," says Knight, "you see the fish and move the bait to it." Jigs-and-minnows, spoons, and Swedish Pimples remain the most popular lures. Many attach stinger hooks since the hits are very light early in the year. Knight's office maintains a fishing hotline: call 419-625-8062. For more information, contact: Ohio Division of Wildlife, 1840 Belcher Drive, Columbus, OH 43224-1329, phone 614-265-6300. Michigan's Betsie Steelhead "The Betsie attracts plenty of steelheaders," says All Outdoors Editor Doug Truax," but it's often not a mob scene like the Pere Marquette has become. The runs on the Betsie start early and sometimes there are fish in the river when there aren't any in some of the more famous spots." Truax also notes that the river gave up a 19-1/2 pound rainbow in 1993. Big runs on the Betsie begin in March as the ice breaks up at the river's mouth near Frankfort. Most angling activity centers around the stretch downstream of the Homestead Dam. Although fish can navigate the washed-out dam, they usually congregate beneath it, finding plenty of good spawning gravel just downstream. The area below the dam is easily accessible and not difficult to wade. Walk-in anglers can find good access to the downstream portions of the river and smaller crowds. "If you really want to get away from the crowds, try the stretch above the Homestead Dam, but don't expect to find large numbers of fish," advises Truax. Fisherman on the Betsie are divided evenly between bait dunkers and fly casters. Bait fishermen usually go with salmon eggs, while fly fishermen use Spring's Wigglers in all colors and nymphs on light leaders. A good source of local information is the Backcast Fly Shop in Benzonia. Also, contact the Michigan DNR, P. O. Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909-7528, phone 517-373-1263. Oklahoma Bass: McGee Creek Lake "The time is right at McGee Creek for someone to break the state record (14 pounds, 10 ounces)," predicts Paul Mauck, regional fisheries biologist for south central Oklahoma. "We stocked McGee Creek with Florida-strain bass in 1987, so those fish are 10 years old. The age and composition of our largemouth population is very good right now. There are lots of 8- and 10-pound fish caught here." McGee Creek lies just over 100 miles north of Dallas/Ft. Worth and sees plenty of fishing pressure on weekends. During the week, the waters quiet down. The mixed pine-oak timber around the reservoir makes a pretty backdrop whether you hook a new record or not. There are three boat ramps on the lake and camping and cabins available at McGee Creek State Park (405-889-5822). Missouri Ozark Trout March 1 marks the opening of Missouri's park trout season. While the state's rivers stay open to trout fishing year round, the opening of the park season signals the true early beginnings of the Ozark spring. Winter-weary anglers flock to the parks to compete for stocked trout on opening day. On the hills and riverbanks they see subtle but sure signs that winter is finally over: flowers blooming, red buds, and dogwoods coming on. There are even some early caddis hatches on the water. Montauk, Roaring River, Bennet Spring, and Meramac State Parks are all top destinations in the southern part of the state. Expect plenty of action in the parks. "We stock 2.25 fish per angler," says trout biologist Spencer Turner of the DOC, "plus there are always holdover fish from previous stockings. After opening day, the crowds aren't too bad." Directly adjacent to the parks, trout fishermen will find trophy waters holding impressive brown and rainbow trout. The Meramac River, for instance, flows through Meramac State Park near Sullivan, then runs parallel to I-44 southwest of St. Louis; it is Missouri's oldest trophy trout river. Protected by a 15-inch, one-fish limit, trout in the Meramac reach four to six pounds. Bennet Spring State Park north of Lebanon contains a stretch of the Niangua River. Outside the park, the Niangua boasts trophy trout. The Current River, in southeast Missouri, runs through Montauk State Park. Downstream, the Current passes through a unit of the Mark Twain National Forest and Big Spring State Park. The Current offers excellent big-trout fishing throughout its length. In any of the trophy trout waters, spinfishermen stick with small crankbaits and spinners. "To catch browns," advises Turner, "you have to imitate meat, either minnows or crayfish." Many smaller Ozark streams hold wild rainbows; Mill Creek, Spring Creek, and Blue Spring are just three of the dozens of small Missouri waters off the beaten path where anglers can find healthy, naturally reproducing trout. Flyrodders might be pleasantly surprised to find that even in early spring there are some hatches in the Ozarks. For dry flies, try Adams and Hendricksons patterns; if you fish wet, go with Zug Bugs, Hare's Ears, and small caddis nymphs. For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation, P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, phone 573-751-4115. Copyright (c) 1997 All Outdoors, Inc. 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