Smallie locations in creeks, pre, post, spawn, summer, fall etc...

[smashingsmallies]

  I'm curious as to the locations that smallies will be in small to medium creeks.  Such as pre-spawn, the actual spawn, post-spawn, moving into summer and fall.

  Do they migrate any serious distance?  It seems like because of the smaller size or medium size's of the creeks that the fish would generally stay in the same general locations or do they move all the way upstream and then back down? 

  I understand that forage supply is one of the ingrediants to locations but if they have access to food, how much movement is there in the changing seasons?  I've looked for the info here but I'm having trouble finding anything on creek smallie pattern/locations seasonally so if anyone can help me with this I would appreciate it.  Thanks, John.

[Bryce C]

I'm in the same boat as you here John.....I killed the smallies last summer and into early fall on some small local creeks.  Now that it's warming up again those same fish are nowhere to be found.  This is only my second year wading for smallies and I can't wait to get on those gold fish again.

[smashingsmallies]

Aaaah, so I'm not the only one!  I have a few holes that are notorious for numbers and size and then poof!  "gone"  I gotta feeling they are still there, I just haven't figured out how to catch them--thanks to this site I've got plenty of ideas from others on here and I believe they will work.  However, I'm still kinda confused on a smallies behavior from spring to fall--where do they spawn, besides gravel, do they make a trip or generally stay in the same location for all seasons?  Anyone out there got any idea's where I can get this info?  Thanks, John.

[RyneB]

I am in the same boat as you guys also. I will catch a few during winter and spring throwing a Float an Fly, but I can count them on one hand. I dont know how far they migrate, but the creek I fish flows into the Illinois River. Im thinking that maybe these fish migrate to the Illinois River in winter looking for deeper water, and then migrate back up river when the weather warms up,but im sure some stay. I always wondered what the smallies do when the creek gets really flooded. Do they stay put and stay behind current breaks and slack water? Or do they just ride the current down river into a bigger river?

[SuskyDude]

Smallies in small streams don't have alot of options during the cold water period. During the summer fish will be spread all over the stream, so when temperatures drop, they may have to move quite aways to find suitable wintering areas. In other words, large stretches that were great summer-fall could very well be vacant early spring if there is no wintering holes closeby. Find the deeper, slow water areas. The "resident" smallies should be there. As the water warms fish current breaks around these protected areas. Things to look for: slow moving coves, the entrance to backwaters- sandy, pebbely, leafy bottoms. Jigs (tubes are my favorite) and jerkbaits are great options for early spring.

Not alll smallies found in tributaries to larger rivers are year round residents. It's not uncommon for fish to move quite aways into creeks and streams to find "quieter" spawning beds, then exit before summer. Another thing to consider.

[RyneB]

I have caught Saugers as far as 4 miles up stream from the Illinois River. Im assuming these fish are moving up to spawn and feed on craws,sculpins, and other aquatic species. Im thinking maybe smallies will migrate just as far to do the same.