The first assignment for this challenge is identifying the true trophy bass lakes that have viable populations of smallmouths weighing 5 lbs. or more. Many inland northern waters throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan that are managed for trophy fisheries, and have special management regulations, qualify in this respect. State DNR’s can provide lists and lake survey records of the best trophy bass lakes in their states. Wisconsin and Michigan do a good job of this, publishing their data online. However, anglers need to do further homework and process this information carefully. Be mindful that if the lake has fishable populations of trophy bass, many large individual fish will be recorded in surveys. This data provides insights into the lake’s population estimates. Wisconsin Fisheries Survey Reports Spring Fisheries Surveys   Every lake with public access is managed for different purposes and fishery goals. Trophy smallmouth fisheries are specifically managed under special regulations for big fish and to purposely maintain the lower population densities that are necessary in supporting them. On these types of lakes on my home waters