smallie experts help

[phoneman]

how deep do smallies in inland lakes hold in the warm summer.

I live in the north.

Thanks,

[Md]

It really depends what they are feeding on, how clear the water is, water temperature, etc.  I've caught them at 3 feet and I've caught them at 50 feet. There are so many variables it can blow your mind.

[webertime]

I've got a friend that works for VT F&W and they've used cameras while doing Walleye research on Champlain and found HUGE smallies sharing humps/reefs at 50 feet with Lake Trout...  IE they can be pretty much anywhere.

[bassnleo]

Your question has no one answer.

Like already mentioned, there are too many variables.

I too have caught them in 3 feet and 30-40 feet in summer. 

[singingdog]

how deep do smallies in inland lakes hold in the warm summer.

I live in the north.

Thanks,

Smallies are much more mobile than LM bass. They can be in 3' of water one day, pounding topwater lures and shallow presentations. The next day they can be in 18' hugging the bottom and taking jigs as lightly as a trout. I don't target them in the summer much deeper than 20' because I don't have the expertise to defizz them and release them safely.

[OkobojiEagle]

limit your search to above the thermacline.