Collection: Smallmouth

BWCA FISHING TIPS FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS

Smallmouth is a brassy brown color and are an extremely strong fish and is often called a scrappy fighter. Due to this behavior they are a feisty fish to catch.

They spawn generally in late May to mid June dependent upon water temperatures. Expect to find pre-spawn smallmouth bass in 6-12 feet of water, and then they move into shallow waters closer to spawning. Small, slow moving baits such as rapalas, jigs and small hari bugs, spinner baits will work well. But, as soon as the water temps begin to rise, this pattern of BWCA fishing disappears. It is a good idea to catch and release any spawning female bass. Following the spawn, females go deep, and males are easier to catch as they will hit on lures often repeatedly.    

Best BWCA fishing tips for smallmouth bass after the spawn is to use crank baits, surface lures, Mepps spinner baits and other spinners, jigs and live bait. Using leeches on your BWCA fishing trip is a good idea as they are a more durable live bait and are easy to carry when portaging.

Mid-summer brings bass into the shallow rock piles areas, points, reefs, and shorelines with large rocks, and even some weedy areas. Try top-water techniques. Historically, the best smallmouth BWCA fishing time is late May through June and early July. By later summer, bass will move to deeper water and the deep fishing tactics work best. They also school up and locating them can be harder.