SEPTEMBER
Cagles Mill Lake: Hybrid Stripers
Cagles Mill Lake (also known as Cataract Lake) is a 1,400-acre water located in District 5, southwest of Indianapolis. It is not a numbers lake when it comes to hybrid stripers, but it does contain some big ones.

They haven't been stocked in the lake for several years, so the population is down. That said, however, the ones that are there are big, real big. Better get there this year if you want some, though. They are nearing the end of their life cycle and won't be around much longer.

Hybrids are open-water, structure- oriented fish. Look for them in shallow-water areas that border deep water. Drops and breaks are the key -- the sharper the better. A twist or turn on a drop signals big fish to savvy anglers on this lake.

OCTOBER
St. Joseph River: Steelhead Trout
Biologist Larry Koza reports that steelhead fishing in the St. Joseph River is variable from year to year. That said, however, it is always worth a trip in the late fall.

According to Koza, the stretch between South Bend and Mishawaka is super. There is a fish ladder in both cities and the steelhead population is high enough, even in off years, to offer anglers excellent fishing.

There are plenty of shore-fishing opportunities in this area. The dam at Mishawaka stops the migration, but the stretch of river between the two cities is almost all open to shore-anglers. With plenty of parking and easy shore access, this is one of the premier late-season opportunities in the state.

Another spot, often overlooked by visiting anglers, is the area below the Twin Branch Dam. This area can be accessed from the public site at the power company. It offers plenty of fast action.

NOVEMBER
Webster Lake: Muskies
Webster Lake, near the town of Webster, is one of the best muskie fisheries in the Midwest, bar none. Fish to 36 and 38 inches are routinely caught from this 744-acre water. The fact is most seasoned muskie anglers expect to catch a legal-sized fish each day they fish on this lake. There are not many places where that is a realistic expectation.

Local muskie expert William La Vigne recommends that late fall muskie anglers troll around the deep- water basins located within this Indiana muskie paradise.

He points out that most of the quality muskies come from the 6- to 8-foot-deep flat areas that surround the deeper basins.

Make certain there are green weeds in the area, however. If the weeds aren't there, the muskies aren't there. It's just that simple.

Maps showing the basins and their specific locations are available from local bait and tackle stores.

DECEMBER
Summit Lake: Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass on 600-acre Summit Lake in December can be a hit-or-miss proposition. However, when it's a hit proposition, the action is often fast and furious.

Summit Lake, east of Indianapolis, is one of the best bass lakes in the state. According to District 5 Indiana biologist Doug Keller, the lake has an extremely high population of largemouths over 14 inches long. At least two bass over 22 inches have been recorded.

This is all the more remarkable, because Summit Lake doesn't have a forage base of shad for the largemouths to feed on. Since there are no shad in this lake, the bass feed on bluegills and perch.

If you fish Summit in December, give the standing timber in the bays a try before moving off to deeper water. The wind and general weather conditions can make for some shallow-water angling, even under cold- water conditions. But be careful on this lake in December. The wind can turn it into a mass of high rollers and dangerous waves.

It's shaping up to be another great year of angling in our state. Don't hesitate too long into the spring season to wet a line, 'cause some action -- like crappie fishing -- can come and go in a heartbeat. Hope to see you out there the first chance you get. Be safe and taut lines!