Today, smallmouth bass live in all but two states in the Continental United States. Those States are Florida and Louisiana. Population density is still greater in the central eastern states which is the original native range. Density is also high in the states East of the Appalachians where these fish were stocked.
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What lake has the most smallmouth bass?
1. Sturgeon Bay. Whether you’re searching for numbers or trophy-size smallmouth, Sturgeon Bay is the place to go. When 8-pound smallmouth””yes, you read that correctly””routinely win big bass in tournaments and 25-pound limits don’t even turn a head, you know you’re in the land of the giants.
Where is the best place to catch smallmouth bass?
Lake Erie – Lake Erie received more first-place votes than any other fishery in any category. It is undeniably the best smallmouth fishery in the United States.
Which Great lake has the best smallmouth fishing?
Lake Michigan may be blessed with the most diverse and numerous top-notch smallmouth fisheries of all the Great Lakes. Sturgeon Bay is its crowning jewel, having been named the #1 bass fishery in North America by several sources.
Where can I find big smallmouth?
What is the best bait for smallmouth bass?
- Blade Baits. Fishing blade baits for smallmouth is an excellent cold water technique, but can also be very effective during the warmer months too.
- Small Soft Plastics.
- Jigs.
- Jerkbaits.
- Crankbaits and Spinnerbaits.
- Topwater Lures.
What is the best time to catch smallmouth bass?
Smallmouth fishing is generally better in the early spring than largemouth fishing might be, since smallmouths tend to be more active in cold water. Begin looking for them when the water temperature is in the mid-40s. Fish the first deep water associated with a large gravel or mud flat.
What colors do smallmouth bass like?
Their vision is strongest in the areas of medium-red to green. It fails rapidly moving into the blues and purples, as it does towards the far reds. If our picture of bass color vision is accurate, then color is meaningful to bass in some cases but not others.
What temperature do smallmouth bass start biting?
Although the smallmouth bass is considered to be a warm water fish, its ideal temperature range is lower than that of the largemouth bass. Smallmouth tend to favor waters between 67 to 71 degrees. When water temperatures dip below 50 degrees, feeding slows and the fish aren’t eager to bite.
Which Great lake has the best fishing?
Best Fishing Why: All the lakes have adequate fishing but Lake Erie is the most productive, according to the Great Lakes Science Center. Yellow perch and walleye are some of the top fish caught in Lake Erie.
How do you catch Lake Erie in smallmouth?
Productive lures include jigging spoons, blade baits and spoonbill jerkbaits; however tube jigs, soft plastics and live bait are angler favorites. “Tubes” are a top artificial bait for Erie smallmouths and can be used effectively through cast and retrieve, vertical jigging or combined with a drop-shot rig.
Where is the best fishing in the Great Lakes?
- #1: Manistee, Lake Michigan.
- #2: Rogers City, Lake Huron.
- #3: Chicago,Illinois Lake Michigan.
How old is a 5 lb smallmouth?
A 15-inch bass might be an average four-year-old, a fast growing three-year-old or a slow growing five-year-old. A big bass, say five pounds, might be anywhere between six and 16 years old.
How old is a 7 pound smallmouth bass?
What is this? At age 6 or 7, smallmouths will have an average size of 16 to 18 inches, and at age 10, they’ll have reached an approximate size of 20 inches.
How do you find deep smallmouth bass?
What is a smallmouth bass favorite food?
The smallmouth will still go after insects, but its favorite food is usually the crawdad, or crayfish. Smallmouth bass also tend to like deeper and cooler water than largemouth, and the smallmouth will really get active between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
What size hooks for smallmouth bass?
The smallmouth bass prefers a smaller hook (#4-1/0) and will typically bite on anything that moves.
What size lures for smallmouth bass?
The 4 inch size Senko is the best choice for most anglers fishing for smallmouth bass. It is available in the 5 inch size for anglers targeting larger fish. Natural colors are very productive, with green pumpkin being an excellent choice in just about every fishing condition or situation.
How do you catch smallmouth in 60 degree water?
How do you catch smallmouth in 40 degree water?
What is the lifespan of a smallmouth bass?
Smallmouth bass now rank among the top 15 most preferred species. Life Span – Smallmouth live on average 6 – 14 years. Some specimens have been determined to be 20 years old.
Do bass remember being caught?
Species such as northern pike and bluegill are known as poor learners and often will strike again only minutes after being caught and released. Other fish, such as largemouth bass, channel catfish, stripers and carp, have better memories. “The channel catfish has a very strong memory,” Hill said.
How do you catch smallmouth in 50 degree water?
Do smallmouths bite in March?
I’ve seen the season’s initial smallie bite happen as early as February and as late as April, but typically it’s around mid-March.
Do jigs work for smallmouth?
Although tube jigs are a go-to bait for smallmouth fishing, they are not the only jig used for catching brown bass. Anglers must educate themselves about other jigs and learn how to fish them if they are prepared for every situation.