Best Smallmouth fishin in the USA

[cedar1]

hey fishrman I can help you out. With a little common sense your boat would be fine. There is also good fishing in the freighter harbors when the lake is to rough

[fishrman]

Hmmm. might have to wait till next year but appreciate the guidance. When do they start hitting there generally speaking?  The largemouth are just starting here. I caught 5 today. Biggest was 17 inches but I had a 20 on. I saw him long enough to wish I hadn't seen him. Using rattletraps and jerkbaits.

[cedar1]

Fishrman  They start at about 50 deg. and really take off at 60. There is a couple of power plants on this end of erie that have warm water discharges. Ill usually start there with jerk baits. If that doesnt work Ill head out to some humps in a little deeper water. Theyre usually not hard to find

[carpbait]

new river in  wv, for larger smallies. For numbers the greenbrier river is full of 10 to 12 inch.

At times you can catch larger ones.

[OcBass63]

I have fished smallmouth all the states and I have found some of the best fishing in Sturgeon Bay. It is a sleeper I agree with Lunker. A 16lb limit happens every tournament but you should check out a group I went with. They caught 27 limits of fish and the winner had 21 pounds and 5th place was 18 pounds. They had a two day tournament that wieghed in 427 pounds of fish for 27 guys. One of the guys has the biggest stringer out of all of the people in the united states. I mean you can go there and catch a 4lb not even fishing.

[OcBass63]

Another great lake in northern wisconsin is Butternut lake. I have hade a 7-8lb fish blow up on topwaters but never caught them. This is another place with a 3 lb average but has the potential for a state record. Joe Butcher fishes this lake for smallmouth and catchs huge fish but it is a difficult lake to fish.

[fishrman]

OCbass63, can you send me an email as I would love to talk to you about fishin Wisconsin especially the area you are referring to. jmillsp@iowatelecom.net

[kegman1]

Fishrman - If your from SE Iowa, you're not too far  away from a good smallie spot (from what I hear).  It's Powerton Lake in Pekin Illinois.  I've never been there myself but i've friends that fish it alot.  You can get on it as early as Feb. because it's a lake used to cool a power plant.  Look it up.

[fishrman]

Kegman1, yes I have heard of that lake. I think it would be about 3 hours or so from me. Wish it were a little closer. It would be fun to try.

[catnip]

Hey, Carpbait, the New is a great area for smallies BUT you'd better warn everyone about having their PFDs handy.  The New (actually the second oldest river in the world) is world renowned for it's class III-V rapids.  Beautiful scenery, lots of great fishing and a place in the world that mother nature will slap the dog stuff out of you if you're not on your toes.

The James River between Iron Gate and Glasgow Virginia is my all time favorite place for smallies.  There is a good population of muskie in there as well as some great pan fishing for the kids.  Class I and II rapids only so it's great for folks that are new to boating moving water.  Plenty of islands for camping during a multiple day trip.  More citation smallies come out of the James than any other body of water in Virginia.

[5bass]

catnip,did you go by Shelor and check out that tackle shop?

[rocket09]

Hello everyone, I believe the best smallmouth fishery in the united states is lake champlain or lake st.clair for sheer numbers of fish. For trophy fish over 5lbs I would say lake erie at the eastern end (n.y.) and the western end (ont.) in early spring (may) or late fall (oct.-nov.), also the detroit , st.clair river,and the columbia river, or in canada lake simcoe in late june or late fall (oct. - nov.)  For truly monster fish 8lbs and over you would have to say the tennesee triangle, pickwick, dale hollow, or wilson/wheeler lakes. In late fall tourneys on lake simcoe and eastern lake erie they have come very close to breaking the 30lb mark for five fish limits. I am just glad I live within driving distance to some of the best smallmouth fishing in the world, lake st.clair, lake erie, and lake simcoe. Good luck to everyone in their quest for monster smallmouth!!!

[Garnet]

Lake Simcoe is 1 hr. with a stop at Tim Hortons for me and it still stuns me summer 5 fish tournaments you better have 23 lbs.

We also have some small lakes that 20 lbs for 5 fish just very lucky to live in this area.

Garnet

[dizzy5868]

The Susquehanna River near Wilkes Barre Pa. Best all aound smallie ever. Trophies in the 5lb range are not uncommon but 3-4 lb fish you can catch pretty consistantly. When the water is above 50 degrees, if you ain't puttin 30 fish a man in the boat a day, you ain't fishin.

Rob

[roadwarrior]

rocket09,

Welcome Aboard!

I have also heard that Maine is tremendous for good size, and particularly for numbers. Does anyone know anything about smallmouth fishing there?

[wvubassfan]

Here it is I will tell you guys where the hawgs and numbers are. Lake Erie off the fairport launch 2 miles east at the bubble. 4-5lbers all day with the occasional 5 pounder. Up north once again there is a creek that runs through Penn. and Ohio Coneaut creek great stream for numbers and can get a pig in the early spring.

In Ky there is Elkhorn Creek I have great numbers there with some pigs in the spring fall and winter. In the heat of the summer I can't seem to find the big ones.

In Ky there is also KY lake and Parts of Dale Hollow enough said.

[HPBB]

Hands down its Erie.

 I would say out Of Erie Pa would be the best I have fished.

the bay is good in the spring, once mid summer is here move out to the lake. You don't even have to go far. maybe a mile or so. Start dragging tubes and hold on

I also like Yough Dam, on the western border of Pa & MD

[phisher_d]

Welcome aboard rocket09

I have to agree, Simcoe is great for size. New Canadian record was set there last fall, 5 fish limit wieghing 29.9 lbs.

Erie is awesome for both size and numbers. Lake St Clair is on my list to try this year.

[CrazedL.IFisherman]

Yes Roadwarrior i go up there yearly and smallie fishing in maine will make your boots quake with excitement, espcially the further north you go in the state like near the moosehead region, plus that far north from what ive heard the  majority of the locals dont like the smallies because their interested in catching trout and salmon, if your every planning on checking it out personal message me and ive got a body of water thats just the ticket, back to the overall thread because im young and havent seen many small dominated impoundments id have to vote for maine big time for good to great smallie fishing

[mainebasser]

As for me, Maine is has some of the best smallmouth bass fishing. We don't always get the size (my largest is just over 4lbs) but I rutinely fish lakes that are 500+ acres and never have to share them with anyone. To me there is nothing like spending two or three days camped on a mid-lake island with my woman and my best friends and slayin' smallies left and right. If you like a lake all to yourself then Maine is the place. If you are ever in Maine drop me a line and I'll show you some incredible spots.

[roadwarrior]

mainebasser,

Welcome aboard!

I have heard many great things about your state, especially the smallmouth bass fishing.

[fishrman]

I am enjoying reading some of the new posts on this subject. Makes me want to get out there after them but we are pretty iced up right now in Iowa. I am in the SE corner of Iowa and are smallie population is very small. No one really fishes for them here as there just aren't enough to justify trying. I love smallie fishin. No fish fights harder without ever quitting. Keep the posts coming. Maine is a long way for me to go.

[Nick B]

Believe it or not there are some good smallmouth lakes out here in New Mexico. I have fished a couple of them, with great success

[squid]

NM...SMALLIES?....HUMMMMMMMMM.... :-?

SOUNDS LIKE A ROAD TRIP TO ME...RW...YOU DRIVING?

[Nick B]

The State record was broken last year at Ute lake here