The southern and southwestern sections of Iowa have many lakes where this aggressive coldwater bass pattern would be effective. The big variable here is ice. The entire lake has to be covered with an icy lid for at least a month for this pattern to reach fruition. Lately, Iowa winters have been less than predictable, but if the winter of 2007-08 falls under the "old-fashioned" category, you can bet the farm that an orange Rat-L-Trap will educate a pile of big fish for those who hit the pattern just right.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries manager Chris Larson rates 187-acre Lake Anita, about an hour west of Des Moines off of Interstate 80, as the best "numbers" lake for largemouth in the state.

Anita was renovated in 2003 and held low water levels until this past summer. When the lake returned to normal levels, the bass here went bonkers. Anita's no place for finding a wallhanger, but if the sensation of many 16- to 19-inchers attacking your lure is what you desire, Anita is the place to go.

Another option is making the "34 Run." Three lakes just off of U.S. Route 34 have all the ingredients to make hay with this pattern, according to Larson. Three Mile Lake just north of Afton was impounded in 1997 and is just beginning to peak as a bass fishery. Target the creek entry at the far north end of this 900-acre lake.

The next target as you vector west down this highway is Twelve Mile Lake near Creston. Start looking for that 43-degree water on the north side, working your way around to the west on this 650-acre lake.

Lake Icaria, north of Corning and further west on Route 34, is about 30 acres larger than Twelve Mile. This fishery was renovated in 2004. Bass fishing here should be smokin' hot this spring.

Timing of this event on northern Iowa lakes is usually sometime between April 10-20 during typical spring weather -- essentially the same time frame when walleyes are spawning on the Mississippi River. The Rat-L-Trap bite on those lakes off of Route 34 should happen a little earlier, perhaps April 7-14.

Bass? Walleyes? Trout? Turkeys? All passions call your name as the geese and sandhill cranes start working back north up the Mississippi River. April in Iowa -- so many options, so little time. To maximize your success -- and efficiency -- during the crowded spring outdoors season, take advantage of these "five degrees of opportunity" for Iowa largemouth bass. Your stringer will thank you.

Find more about Iowa fishing and hunting at: IowaGameandFish.com