5. Candlewood Lake, Connecticut -- Candlewood Lake is nestled in wooded seclusion near Danbury, Connecticut. This 5,400-acre playground supports good numbers of both largemouth and smallmouth bass. “It keeps getting better for smallmouths, while largemouth fishing has slackened somewhat,” according to Rich Zaleski, In-Fisherman’s contributor in the East. “The size and number of available smallmouth more than make up for the decline in largemouths, however. At least,” he laughed, “that’s how I feel about it.

“On a good day, I average 20 to 30 smallmouths. And they’re good fish,” Zaleski says. “A limit of fish averaging over 3 pounds can be caught throughout summer when fishing is best on 15- to 20-foot-deep humps.” Locals take lots of smallmouths by fishing vertically with a shiner or an alewife one foot off bottom. But Zaleski prefers to fish ‘em with bladebaits. He drops something like a Reef Runner Cicada, a Heddon Sonar, or a Silver Buddy, alternating between rips and pauses. Active fish hit at the top of the rip.

Fall is also a key time on Candlewood. The bite may shift to deep-diving cranks ripped along the tops of humps or along points on the main lake as dropping water temperatures approach 50°F. Later, hair jigs and finesse tactics along the steepest drops on these areas take over.

Lodging: Danbury Chamber of Commerce, 203/743-5565. Guides and information: Hank’s Tackle, 203/743-2221.

6. Chequamegon Bay, Wisconsin -- Picturesque walls of rock surround some of the nearby Apostle Islands, where sheer cliffs rise from the cold blue depths to a high vantage above Lake Superior. With so much rock to choose from, the smallmouths of Chequamegon Bay oddly prefer the more gradual sand slopes of the eastern shore. And the fish are fat and sassy, according to Al Lindner.

“A one-fish limit on Chequamegon Bay was instituted about four years ago,” Al says. “That one smallmouth must measure 22 inches or more. As a result, smallies over 5 pounds are practically a daily occurrence, and I’ve spotted fish over 7 pounds. Everybody I talk to who was there last year scored big time, with smallmouths from 21⁄2 to over 5 pounds. Protective regulations have created an amazing fishery, a world-class fishery.”

Smallmouth anglers in the know were able to keep Chequamegon Bay to themselves until recently. When the word got out, modern trophy regulations were already in place. “As surprising as it seems, in water that cold at that latitude, Chequamegon has a number of 22-inchers, due to the regulations,” Al says.

According to Mike Huff, biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, smallmouth hatches have exceeded the average for four years, with good over-winter survival rates. Fish of all sizes are available in healthy proportions. Peak times to visit include mid-May to the end of June and all of September.

“Chequamegon Bay has rolling sand dunes underwater,” Al explains. “Between them are grooves filled with wood. That’s where the smallies are livin’ when they’re home.” In spring, Al found fish roaming the shorelines. “The water is extremely clear,” he says. “So spot fishing is fabulous. Pick out the giants and pitch minnowbaits or Husky Jerks.”

In September, smallies key on steeper drops, bottoming out in 25 to 35 feet of water. Work jigs and bait, hair jigs, and plastics slowly on the sharpest drops along transitions between hard and soft bottom. Fish average a solid 3 pounds most days, and chances for one over 8 might be as good as anywhere in the country.

Guides, maps, bait, tackle, and fishing information: Roger LaPenter, Angler’s All in Ashland, Wisconsin, 715/682-5754. Lodging: Chequamegon Hotel, 715/682-9095; AmericInn, 800/634-3444.