My experience on Fishing Creek Lake has been that the successful depth pattern for catfish will likely change as the day progresses. Typically, it will go from an early-morning shallow pattern to a midday deep pattern and then back to a shallow pattern as the afternoon and evening approach.

For fast-paced action, simply stick with the basics: Use traditional baits, such as night crawlers or stink baits. (Doc's Catfish Getter Dip Bait has produced excellent results for me.)

If you're getting plenty of pull downs and action for the family, there's no harm in using some cut bait on a couple of rods to perhaps hook a larger channel catfish in the 5- to 10-pound class. The only way to make a long stringer of 1- to 3-pound catfish better is to anchor it with a brute.

If you're not getting bites frequently, I suggest staying on the move, looking for a hotspot. If you go for 15 minutes without a bite -- and you are keeping fresh bait on the rigs -- then I'd suggest moving. Sometimes I'll fish several places with little success, then finally hit a point or river dropoff where the fish seem to be stacked up. You can sometimes mark the fish with the graph, and that's a pretty good technique as well, when motoring over a point or drop.

At Fishing Creek, I suggest focusing on the lower half of the lake. The water depths are better for June catfishing and there's also plenty of productive shallow water for the bream action.

If you're not familiar with the lake, travel slowly as you learn your way around: You want to fish the woody cover, not ram into it with your boat. It's not a big lake and there's no need to hurry anyway.

You don't need heavy tackle for the catfish at this lake. But because of the woody cover, medium tackle is a good choice. Some of the points that produce fish have many stumps and other woody debris. Occasionally, you'll find a need for some "muscle" in your rod and line, especially if you're trying to hook a slightly larger fish to anchor your catch.

There are two primary access points on the lake. One is Cane Creek access. Get there off Highway 200 between Great Falls and Lancaster, turning onto Bethel Boat Landing Road, which takes you to the landing. The other is Fishing Creek Access off Highway 21.

Family fishing trips can be among the most enjoyable fishing trips of the year, if you plan them right. These places all have the ingredients for a successful trip. They're easily accessible, have plenty of fish and offer fast-paced action.

Plan your trip now and fish one, several or all of these places this summer.