For now, the big lake's fishery is in decent shape, and fishing this summer should be good. Last spring Illinois planted a total of 875,772 salmonids, which break down this way: 300,076 cohos; 302,673 chinooks: 60,300 lake trout; 48,423 rainbow trout; 64,300 steelhead; and 100,000 brown trout. This is right on par with stocking figures over the past 12 years, and lakewide, the other states have been holding the line as well.

Fishing for salmon and trout in a big, cold waterbody like Lake Michigan is a sport unto itself. The best bass, muskie, walleye or catfish experts would be lost if they were thrust onto Lake Michigan's broad waters and told to catch salmon. The salmon and trout are nomads, relentlessly following the baitfish. They do not relate to the surface, the bottom or any structure in the lake. As a result, there is no such thing as a "Lake Michigan hotspot." Today's "hotspot" often becomes a "dry hole" because the schools may move many miles over night.

If there is anything that remotely resembles a consistent fish-producing area, it is the R-4 marker situated about four miles offshore directly east of the power plant in Winnetka. Here lies a huge reef that comes within 35 feet of the surface before dropping precipitously off into more than 100 feet of water. During the hot summer months the area often holds good-sized schools of baitfish, and naturally, they attract all sorts of large game fish. But, as good as the R-4 can be, it can also be completely empty if weather conditions force the alewife schools to move away.

As in the real estate-industry, the key to successful salmon fishing is "location, location, location." Probably the least successful anglers are those who venture out to some spot simply because they used to do well there. They are fishing memories, and that usually doesn't work on the big lake. You simply must fish where the fish are today, not where they were two days, two months or two years ago.

To get to the right spot requires very current information. There are two ways for the average angler to get this vital help. He or she can pick the brains of anglers on the lake via the marine radio, or they can join one of the salmon fishing clubs that maintain a telephone reporting system for their members. Or both.

If you have been around the lake for a while, you probably have salmon fishing friends. Stay in touch with them, especially if they fished the day before you plan to try your luck. Frankly, if they haven't fished within two days of your outing, they have no information that is useful anymore. Before leaving the harbor, try to talk to some of the other people preparing to sally forth. Learn what you can from them. If while trolling you hear of someone who is into fish, do not hesitate to "rip and run" to their location.

Another source of on-the-water help are the charter boats. The professionals are usually right up to speed on the best fishing locations of the day. Don't be afraid, or too proud, to follow a charter boat to where the action is. It is a big lake, with room for all, and the captain won't mind your tagging along if you don't crowd him.