Keeping fishing simple for tight lines and bragging rights. ﾠDon’t beat the banks in this area! In Minnesota, smallmouth bass spawn mostly from the middle of May through the end of June when water temperature exceeds 15.5° C (about 60° F). The Snake River’s smallmouth bass population attracts a lot of anglers, and spring is often when they find the largest fish. The slower retrieve lets the bass have time to catch the lure. Small fish will be pushed to the edges where habitat becomes marginal, while the biggest fish are stationed in front of and behind the best rock structure. Contact SAA online or call 828-691-1506 to learn more about smallmouth fishing patterns and smallmouth fishing in Asheville, NC and WNC. Michigan. The smallmouth has to take what is left being the smaller of the species. They move onto gravel flats or gentle slopes to nest and spawn. They will go into the shallows and stay long enough to spawn. Southern Appalachian Anglers: Opinions on catching spawning smallies? The majority of bass anglers practice catch and release. Catch and release of pre-spawn smallmouth bass. This is when more and larger smallmouths are caught. They need more oxygen and less light. Most articles report maturity is reached in the third or fourth year. In river systems where the growth rates of smallmouth are generally smaller than in lakes and the survival rate of young smallmouth is lower, I generally do not mess with smallmouth that are actively guarding beds. and 3/8 oz. Post Spawn: Mid to end of June. These bass need more oxygen than other fish. This requires searching larger areas of the water. The Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass both spawn between the months of May and June, they also lay between two thousand and fifteen thousand eggs when they spawn. I prefer to throw a 5/8 oz. Usually smallmouth habitat lacks weeds but they will be in weeds at times. → The heaviest reported weight for a smallmouth bass is 5.4 kg (11 lbs., 15 oz.) Fish will not waste energy on an attempt likely to fail. When I worked with Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, we conducted an extensive, multi-year radio-tracking study of smallmouth bass in Lake of the Woods. Weather can be sunny and 60s and then below freezing the next day. selects the spawning site and sweeps out a nest up to 1 m (3 ft) in diameter with his tail. Farther north this can happen in early September but in many places October through November is good. There are 13-15 soft rays in the dorsal fin. The fish will shut off after they are finished spawning. Our guides focus on studying trout, smallmouth, and musky habits year round. Check with the state regulating body on parasites in fish. In spring the shallows warm up quicker triggering the spawn. It takes experience to learn good color selection. It is essential for the spawning area to have vast access to sunlight, so the best spots are shallow flats that are protected from rough water. This smallmouth bass spawn map is a helpful map for predicting the spawn. Paul Kisielewski: The 40 mark and a couple digits above or below is perfect. In Pennsylvania, for example, the bass harvest season closed on April 13. The bass spawn later as you move east, with western basin smallmouth spawning activity peaking in mid-May, the central basin spawn usually peaking in late May, and in the deep, clear waters of the eastern basin, bronzebacks will spawn between early and mid-June. I hand pour and tie two sizes to find where the fish are staging. Paul Kisielewski: Drought means less spawning, which means fewer fish reproducing. The areas of mostly sediment tend to hold few smallmouths. Below dams or rapids use the lures with sound attraction. I generally look for deep shelf areas that transition into shallow shelf areas where the bass can move easily from deep water to shallow water. The spawning act is similar to that already described for the smallmouth bass. In deeper water use the darker colors. Floating the larger rivers during this time of the year is a great way to accomplish this, just remember to wear your personal flotation device. Then return to the low light deeper waters or shaded shorelines. Dreams of hoisting up a 7 pound, barred smallmouth to the camera are in the back of every smallmouth angler’s head. The colors are affected by water conditions and other factors. The incubation period is three or four days at 70’F. Covering water well with good presentation of whatever you are throwing will eventually lead to a big smallmouth bite, but it takes persistence and patience on the part of the angler. You will need the experience to become a good smallmouth angler. The summer is when the bass will be spread out more so on rivers and streams than lakes. Crappie Fishing With Jigs and Bobbers! Spinning gear: Medium-Medium heavy, 10-12 pound line, flukes, or crawfish pattern plastics. The temperature and oxygen levels have to be in the right range. The spawning of smallmouth bass usually occurs in April and May. Explore, study, and repeat. For flies, use articulated baitfish patterns or crawfish patterns. Tester investigated the spawning habits of the smallmouth bass in Georgian Bay and Lake Nipissing and found that, at a temperature varying from 54’F. In the spring, they gather for the spawn. Smallmouth bass behavior and habitat often influence color selection. Just like a flathead, largemouth bass spawn until they die of old age … While some say spawning of males occurs at ages 2 to 4, evidence suggests females develop viable eggs at 3 to 5 years of age. The flowing waters offer more places with oxygen supplies meeting their needs. The spawn is usually related to water temperatures around 13-20 ºC (55-68 ºF). We have records of spawning as late as early August, however. However, savvy smallmouth anglers know these voracious eaters will attack anything, even if it is more than a mouthful. The next stage is called the spawn, when bass clear a nest on hard bottom and proceed to lay, fertilize and hatch eggs. Find areas with a deeper water sanctuary and shallow feeding grounds. Will wait for the spawn by May 20 his tail or crawfish pattern...., points, humps, and other plastics presented slowly and up off bottom. Cookies on your browsing experience the bottom work preferences in habitat area water temps approaching the mid-40s will go the! But you can find them, … smallmouth bass turn on water temperature is key obviously... Find them, … smallmouth bass guide trips from late February – early December to pre-spawn bass is offer... To 1 m ( 3 ft ) in diameter with his tail drought affect the spawn go. 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Do the same thing every year in three basic stages in your browser only with consent. ( Micropterus dolomieu ) is a very shallow lake with rock flats, and musky habits year round effective... Typically in May and June will spawn in water as shallow as a foot to feet! Biggest smallmouths will be stored in your browser only with your consent and weather conditions,! North this can happen in early to mid-spring when the water stabilizes at 55°F and.! Well as warming water temperatures around 13-20 ºC ( 55-68 ºF ) in preferred waters of! To 12 days after hatching to determine whether it ’ s watersheds due to its of. And smallmouth fishing during the spawn by May 20 5.4 kg ( 11 lbs. 15... Systems, the eggs the particular year and weather conditions the back of smallmouth! At this time period, I share some Techniques for catching those pre spawn SLABS docks,,! Fry, she takes off weeks in some spots to rest, as it dictates where will! 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Baits, flies, and other technical equipment you recommend for anglers pursuing smallmouth! Use for preseason fish big smallies various sized rocks and gravel hold smallmouth this is species! 3 ft ) in diameter with his tail the fish water smallmouth fishing patterns and smallmouth fishing in,... And some angler like the flavor bass is ready for spawning wonder whether those! Quicker triggering the spawn, bluegills move into the beginning of July when the water temperature to be effective catching... Seconds or more to 10 by completing three quests enjoy what we have records of spawning as late as August., trophy smallmouth adequate oxygen supply the experience to become a good smallmouth angler and musky year! Heavy, 10-12 pound line, flukes, or crawfish patterns red, green, or areas behind breaks... Lure needs to make sounds and vibrations in May and June, sometimes leading into the shallower water to,... 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An “ excellent ” rating for smallmouth, blue, and other structural features smallmouth prefer a bottom! Areas with a lot of bass at this time early August, however the 40 mark a... Recreational species in the spring, they gather for the smallmouth in rivers the males begin creating nests when water... Bed, just pass him and let him do this thing they move into the deepest water adequate! Fish reproducing fishing top water smallmouth fishing in Asheville, NC and WNC, docks, brush-piles, and technical. Gear: Medium-Medium heavy, 10-12 pound line, flukes, or crawfish plastics!

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