Canada, Northern Us Smallmouth Fishing For 1St Time

[Brayberry]

This fall (September) I'll be driving from Alaska to Virginia, and will be hoping to find some Walleye and Small Mouth to catch along the way.  I've never caught either before, but hoping anyone could point me in the direction of  lake, stream, or river when I could get  few from shore with my girlfriend as I drive thru.  As of now the route will be the Alcan, into North Dakota, Minnesota, Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, DC, then into Hampton Roads.  Anyone have any idea's of places to try?  

[Scott F]

In September, lake smallmouth will be tough to catch from shore, but they are easily caught from shore along rivers.  Get a map and locate Aurora, Illinois, about 40 miles straight West of Chicago . The Fox River runs through Aurora. Go from Aurora to St. Charles along each side of the river there are a lot of shoreline access points. Near Kankakee IL, 60 miles South of Chicago, there is the Kankakee River State Park. Also a lot of shoreline access and a good place to find smallies. As in any river, look for eddies along the shore and you'll find smallmouth.

[Brayberry]

Thank You, Scott, I know we are going thru Chicago, so I'll have to try out the places you mentioned.  Thank You once again

[lmbfisherman]

I live in Ontario and I would suggest the same thing, hit the rivers.  That is where I catch a lot of my smallmouths from shore.  If you're going through PA to get to DC not sure what route you're taking, but the Susquehana River is one place I always wanted to try (I drive by there every year when I visit family in NYC).  I'm sure some of the PA guys could comment there. 

[madperry]

If you can, I'd research Lake Erie(one of the Great Lakes) and where it would make sense to stop along the way.  Some MONSTER smallmouth fishing in that lake.