Best Northern Smallmouth Fisheries

[moguy1973]

1 hour ago, Bill Babler said:

Chequamegon Bay on lake Superior is one of the top destinations in the country for Huge Jaws.  Been catch and release for many  years.  There are simply schools of 5 lb. plus fish swimming in the entire bay.  Went last year and weather hit so bad we had to cancel our fishing trip.  Still enjoyed the region.

I have heard the same thing about this place. “Hidden” gem. 

[Mitch f]

12 minutes ago, moguy1973 said:

I have heard the same thing about this place. “Hidden” gem. 

Gotta check it out 

[willyfish]

Either the St Lawrence River in New York or Lake St Clair up by Detroit. Some of those tournaments on St Lawrence are just ridiculous when you see what they pull out of there.

[evilcatfish]

The Traverse City area is definitely worthy of consideration. Amazing fishing in East/West Grand Traverse Bay (lake Michigan) and there are a plethora of excellent inland lakes as well. This is also a good family vacation destination as there are lots of fun entertainment options for the non-fishermen. 

[Macsimus]

On 7/12/2020 at 5:26 PM, moguy1973 said:

“Hidden” gem. 

Sigh...I wish. Been going since 1988. It was off the radar then but hasn't been for years. There's been a steady stream of TV fishing shows that have highlighted the fishery and of course, the interweb in more recent years. The only thing that has saved it is the protective slot. Even so, the fish get hammered in the spring. Large areas of the bay aren't suitable habitat (giant, shallow featureless sand flats) so the fish concentrate and get pummeled. There was a move to require barbless hooks but it never got turned into a regulation. Had some absolutely awesome trips there but have never experienced schools of 5s. Weather is always a factor. Any wind from the north comes across frigid Lake Superior and feels like someone opened the freezer.  Wind from the S dirties up the Bay. Last but not least, local commercial operators have removed a portion of the submerged timber from old logging days which provides important cover since the bay is mostly just sand. As I said at the beginning...sigh.

[bferg]

Susquehenna River!

 

Also, FWIW:  If I was going to fish one of these fisheries - any of the those mentioned here- I would certainly plan on getting a guide for at LEAST the first day of my trip.  That would at least give you a clue as to what it happening on that body of water at the moment.  The few additional few hundred $ on top of what you already spend on a trip like that is well worth it in my mind to not be out there blind.  If you are going to do a trip like that go all the way and make sure you do everything you can to make it a trip of a lifetime...

 

 

[curtisce]

jsut got back from Sturgeon Bay on a vacqation with my wife. She let me fish 2 days. I went with a guide. the weather can really effect your ability to fish. Even a 10mph if coming from any northly direction is going to keep you off Green Bay. We had one day of 20+ winds and had great difficuly finding anywhere to fish. The second day we fished out on green Bay I had probably 30  most in 2-3 1/2# range  Had a couple in the 4+  Most of them on a jerkbait which in July I think is kinda cool.As @Bill Babler said wiht any big water weather can kill a fishing trip. That includes Mille Lacs, I live ther for 3 year and the wind could whip that lake up. If you gobetter have a strong trolling motor with Spotlock

If your'e looking for something off the radar and easy to get to Galcial Lakes region in NE South Dakota. I go there each May. Had 4 fish one afternoon go 18# my best was 5.8# The 2nd picture is the state record from one of the area lakes 7# 2oz only 19 3/4"

[sjcorpst]

The Mississippi River near LaCrosse, WI, is about as good as it gets.  Two BASS tournaments and the MLF Redcress were held there for a reason.I know the Great Lakes get a lot of press these days, but wind blows you off 3 out of 7 days.  Check this out (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpqOxk_VHzA).  

[Greasy B]

1 hour ago, bferg said:

Susquehenna River!

 

Also, FWIW:  If I was going to fish one of these fisheries - any of the those mentioned here- I would certainly plan on getting a guide for at LEAST the first day of my trip.  That would at least give you a clue as to what it happening on that body of water at the moment.  The few additional few hundred $ on top of what you already spend on a trip like that is well worth it in my mind to not be out there blind.  If you are going to do a trip like that go all the way and make sure you do everything you can to make it a trip of a lifetime...

 

 

The Susquehenna River has been on my list for a long time, but if I had to share the boat or the river with those dudes, I’m out. 

[bferg]

2 hours ago, Greasy B said:

The Susquehenna River has been on my list for a long time, but if I had to share the boat or the river with those dudes, I’m out. 

I appreciate Ike's enthusiasm and it's good to see pro's who look like they still enjoy and get excited about fishing...  But I'm with you- would rather appreciate that from a distance.  

Those guides up there run some tricky jet boats though!  That would be a fun part of that trip.