Lake Superior

Species: Bass, Salmon, Steelhead, Trout, Walleye/Pickerel

Coordinates: 47°42′N 87°30′W

Location: Ontario

Why we chose it

In 2012, ranked #16 in all-time hotspots

The big lake they call Gitche Gumee has a variety of gamefish, but we’ve repeatedly praised its trout fishing. Offshore, huge numbers of mid-size lakers dwell in the depths, where they fall prey to down-rigged Rapalas, often below 100 feet. And Superior’s north-shore tributaries swarm with scrappy rainbows and brookies that eagerly hit both flies and hardware. A lucky few also net “coasters”—a strain of shoreline-cruising brook trout that can easily top five pounds.

In 2008, Lake trout; Abundant large fish

When to fish: Late August.
Where to fish: In 80 to 120 feet of water near Marathon.
Tip: Troll big spoons, such as Doctors, Wablers or Wolverines, on downriggers.

—Jim Hoey, host of The Dimestore Fishermen