Floundering auto industry aside, Michigan is probably best known for being the Great Lakes State. People travel far, and wide to take in the fantastic views, and enjoy some boating. But for many, the draw is the fishing. Michigan fishing is the stuff of which legends are made. There's probably not a single Michigander who hasn't heard at least one giant muskie story. Or the elusive bass story. Or maybe the one about the walleye, pike, trout or sturgeon that got away.

If you're travelling here, you are definitely invited to bring your rod, and reel. Whatever your prey, if it swims in fresh water, you can probably find it in Michigan. But there's much more to Michigan fishing, than just the Great Lakes.

With gas prices what they are, boating is on the decline. But I've been fishing here my whole life, without ever owning a boat. The simple fact is, no matter where you go in Michigan, you are never more than six miles from fishable water. It's true! With hundreds of miles of rivers and streams, and thousands of inland lakes and ponds, you can fish for a lifetime, with no boat or electronic equipment.

I actually prefer small water over the giant lakes, for a variety of reasons. First, I save on gas. This is a big one, right now. With U.S. gas prices hovering around $4.00 per gallon, it's nice to fish for an entire weekend and use less than a quarter tank of gas.

Second: I generally have the place to myself. With everybody heading out to the big lakes, I often find myself alone at the edge of a mirror-flat pond, contemplating what I will find just below the surface. I can relax, and enjoy the day, and the view. No boats or jetskis buzzing the shore where I'm trying to fish. No inexperienced anglers casting over my line. Just me and nature.

Third: Many of these fish have rarely, if ever, seen a lure. Which certainly stacks the odds in my favor. It also increases the odds of catching bigger fish, since there is little or no fishing pressure, here. On several outings, I have caught six to seven pound bass, from ponds less than three acres in size.

If you're in it for the fight, try the carp. I would never eat one of these bottom feeders, but I know people who do. Either way, I guarantee a giant carp will put up a fight you won't forget. Using corn as bait, I have routinely pulled in carp ranging from ten, to twenty pounds, and thirty pounders are not uncommon!

Not everyone is aware of this, but many of the ponds and lakes in public parks, are well stocked. This is where I like to take the kids, because you're all but guaranteed to catch something. One such lake, a few miles from my house, is about 150 acres in size, and very well stocked. In a single day, we caught pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish, and more bluegill than we could count. We did most of this with nothing more than a few dozen night crawlers and bobbers. That's a lifetime of memories in one short trip. And the whole day cost less than $10.00, and almost no gas!

I keep my tackle with me all season long. You never know when the mood will strike. My favorite time is in the autumn, though. I like to get to the water early. When dawn is little more than a promise, and I can just see my breath floating on the air. The fish seem to be a little more aggressive, in anticipation of the winter. As the water temperatures fall through the sixties, they seem intent on putting on some fat, before they become less active beneath the frozen lakes.

Whether or not you live in Michigan, there's bound to be small water nearby. Give it try. What have you got to lose? Sure, it may take some trial and error to find the best spots, but that's half the fun. There's no better way to enjoy some peace and quiet, than watching a gorgeous sunrise reflected on a calm pond. The gentle "splunk" of your lure hitting the water is simply magic.

And when you do find that spot, serenity can quickly become a shot of adrenaline. For a freshwater angler, there are few experiences to match a big bass, exploding out of the water on your line. Just remember to fish responsibly. If I'm not fishing for my dinner, catch and release is the rule I live by. Put it back to grow bigger, for the next guy. And ALWAYS clean up after yourself! Nobody wants to fish in your mess.