Smallmouth bass outside of rivers?

[BassMike88]

I seem to notice that smallmouth bass are more often associated with rivers rather than lakes. However, about two years ago, I tossed a few casts into a couple acre private pond of a woman I knew, and it was strike after strike. In 15 minutes, I landed four...but to my surprise...they were smallmouth bass, not largemouth.

For a private pond, I found this odd. Are they more common outside of the river basins than I thought?

[bassnleo]

Yes.

Up in the North where we live almost every body of water has a smallmouth population. Some, if not most, have a population mixed with largemouth and smallmouth.

Since you are from NE Ohio, 3 prime examples close to you: Lake Erie, Chautauqua Lake, Pymatuning.

All 3 have great smallmouth and largemouth populations, and frankly, in tournament situations you'll often see anglers targeting the smallmouth up here. On average they tend to be a little heavier than the largies. 

[Crestliner2008]

I fish a deep, clear reservoir a lot for both smallies and largemouths. In this particular body of water, the smallies are usually relating to the deeper, off-shore structures though. As was previously said, smallmouth are just about everywhere up here, in the northeast. With the exception of eutrophic type, shallow lakes that heavily weeded.

[S Hovanec]

Yes.

Up in the North where we live almost every body of water has a smallmouth population. Some, if not most, have a population mixed with largemouth and smallmouth.

Don't forget Woodcock. I've never caught a largemouth out of there......all smallies!

[Jig Man]

Almost all of our lakes here in MO have a smallmouth population.  Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Stockton have good amounts of quality smallies.

[MNGeorge]

There are many excellent Smallmouth lakes in Minnesota as well.  I just prefer the river Smallies...usually more aggressive and fight like there's no tomorrow.

[joshholmes]

maybe thats because there might not be a tomorrow for them