There is a good boat ramp here, with electric-motors-only rules enforced. Casey is a wonderful camping destination with cabins and both primitive and modern campsites available.

The southwestern corner of the state has three lakes that should produce nice sacks of alpha 'gills this summer, reported IDNR fisheries manager Chris Larson. Only one of these -- 48-acre Greenfield Lake in Adair County -- practically screams bluegills.

Water clarity here is usually greater than 24 inches. A tremendous population of 12- to 14-inch bass keeps the panfish numbers in these waters in check. This water clarity is conducive to weed growth. When coupled with a gradually sloping shoreline into the main lake basin, prospecting anglers are virtually assured of finding prowling 'gills at this time of year.

Around Greenfield, shoreline access is fairly good; the boat ramp is adequate. Watercraft are restricted to electric motors.

Larson called 16-acre Orient Lake in Adair County and 70-acre Littlefield Lake in Audubon County to the northwest "real sleepers" when it comes to producing alpha 'gills. "Like Greenfield, both Orient and Littlefield are capable of producing good catches of 8- to 10-inch bluegills" he said. "This is somewhat amazing, as both lakes are turbid, with low visibility, little weed growth, poor water quality and not much of a predator base to keep prey species in check."

At waters in which visibility is limited, bluegills rely on scent and vibration along their lateral lines to home in on dinner. These lakes offer one scenario in which live bait may have an edge over artificials.

Baits with bigger profiles also tend to produce better results than a waxworm or two, with fish generally active higher in the water column and more aggressive on bright sunny days.

Crickets are probably your best bait choice for Orient and Littlefield, but aren't easy to find. The next best bet is a small "crappie" minnow hooked under the dorsal fin and suspended about 18 inches below a pencil-style float.

Because of its size, Orient permits electric motors only. Littlefield allows outboard motors. Both lakes have decent boat-launch facilities.

Anglers working these waters need to come prepared, as bait shops are rare commodities in this part of the state. Wood's Sport Shop in Council Bluffs has good bait, but is 45 minutes to an hour away from any of these lakes. The phone number at Wood's is (712) 366-0444.