Smallmouth Lake Help

[JWall14]

I figured I would just post about this. I’ve never fished for lake smallmouth before. My friend and I are fishing a tournament the last week of April. It is on a lake that holds both smallmouth and largemouth but from what I’ve heard there are good numbers of smallmouth. It is a former cooling lake so it has a lot of man made features that I am not used to fishing. The bank is basically all rip rap and should be 2-4ft of vis u less we get pounded with rain. It should be a pre spawn deal (current temps are  supposedly 46 but that should increase a lot with all week in the 60s/70s) Anything stand out to you guys or what (and how) would you fish if you were going here?? It’s called Heidecke Lake in Illinois. THANKS!

[PaulVE64]

I like the deeper pools near the bank and that wier that runs down the middle.

Im thinking the bass are going to be out of the winter holes but still near them in case is gets cold.

If its sunny they should be cruising the banks looking for craws in the riprap.

[Scott F]

What kind of a boat are you fishing from? If the water is even a little bit high most boats can’t get under the bridge that is on the east end of the lake and separates the north and south sections. Even in low riding boats, you still might have the top of your motor hit the bottom of the bridge. 
It’s a perched lake meaning the water levels are above the surrounding farmland which means when the wind blows, it gets very rough. They used to close the lake if the winds get above about 15mph
As far as fishing, 99% of the fisherman will be pounding the rip rap. You may also encounter hybrid stripers which will rip the rod right from your hand as well as white bass and walleyes. I’ve never targeted smallmouth as you’ll find them scattered along the rip rap along with the largemouth and every other fish in the lake. There are also a LOT of catfish. You’ll probably get more of those bass fishing than all the other fish combined. Good luck.

[JWall14]

14 hours ago, Scott F said:

What kind of a boat are you fishing from? If the water is even a little bit high most boats can’t get under the bridge that is on the east end of the lake and separates the north and south sections. Even in low riding boats, you still might have the top of your motor hit the bottom of the bridge. 
It’s a perched lake meaning the water levels are above the surrounding farmland which means when the wind blows, it gets very rough. They used to close the lake if the winds get above about 15mph
As far as fishing, 99% of the fisherman will be pounding the rip rap. You may also encounter hybrid stripers which will rip the rod right from your hand as well as white bass and walleyes. I’ve never targeted smallmouth as you’ll find them scattered along the rip rap along with the largemouth and every other fish in the lake. There are also a LOT of catfish. You’ll probably get more of those bass fishing than all the other fish combined. Good luck.

We'll be in a pro 170 tracker. So you're saying if we could get under the bridge there would be a lot less boats on that side?? That's good to know about the wind because this boat will get blown around in heavy wind. Thanks Scott!

[Scott F]

Just because you get under the bridge doesn’t mean you can get back out. A west wind pushes the water level up and people have gotten stuck.  

[JWall14]

8 minutes ago, Scott F said:

Just because you get under the bridge doesn’t mean you can get back out. A west wind pushes the water level up and people have gotten stuck.  

That is good to know. Thanks.

[Junk Fisherman]

I can't really help you on Heidecke.  I only fished there once a long time ago.  I am really curious how the tournament turns so please post a recap.  What circuit is it?  

[JWall14]

1 hour ago, Junk Fisherman said:

I can't really help you on Heidecke.  I only fished there once a long time ago.  I am really curious how the tournament turns so please post a recap.  What circuit is it?  

It’s a high school tournament. I will let you know how it goes.