Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

I fish a local lake/river we have smallies in the river but hardly ever get them in the lake except early fall thru early winter. In the summer the river literally dries up to inches where do these smallmouth go. In the fall tourneys always weigh in smallmouth 3-4 lb fish. Also any idea what type/color bait in the fall for smallies

River smallies can migrate a looonnnngg ways sometimes. I would look below any dam or obstruction if there is one. ANY deeper hole could be loaded with smallmouth bass at times when they start traveling looking for some deeper water. Are there any deep canals or ponds/harbors off the river? I've seen studies of smallmouth bass traveling 70 or more miles in rivers to find deeper water.

If there aren't ANY deeper holes in the river anywhere - a rarity - then it may be the bass literally are ALL migrating into the lake. They are in there somewhere but possibly out wandering deeper?

What type of forage is in the lake? That could spell out where the smallies are in the summer though I would start looking near the river for sure. Current and smallies go together.

As far as colors and lures, what type of water is it - clear, stained, turbid? In the fall I like painted willow leaf spinnerbaits (white-white, white-chartreuse, all chartreuse) for reaction bites from fall smallies but that may not work everywhere.

If they feed on minnows a lot could be jerkbaits if spinnerbaits aren't working. Then snapping tubes and other soft plastics. If the water is clearer maybe a spybait too!