Smallmouth Secrets in the Midwest

The mighty smallmouth bass has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many avid bass anglers focusing on smallies almost exclusively. This is especially true around the Midwest’s large river systems and associated lakes. Smallmouth bass are highly resilient and one of the most plentiful species in the Mississippi River and Great Lakes watersheds—and in most river systems in the region. They’re often the most dominant gamefish species, thriving everywhere from the main flows of massive rivers to the smallest tributary creeks. Smallies are also one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish, and their booming popularity has created a subculture of sorts that includes specialized river boats and a vibrant, seasonal river guide industry.

River smallies are opportunistic feeders with many available forage options during summer months. Due to their curious nature and diverse diet, lure choice isn’t all that critical. However, much like trout, they can be picky regarding presentation, so presenting each style of lure properly is very important. In streams, current is the primary factor affecting the ability to properly work a lure or fly.

If you understand how river smallies relate to current and know what they’re feeding on—usually crustaceans, baitfish or insects—they’re relatively predictable. The trick is putting yourself in a position to target these fish, which can be easier said than done.

Many watercrafts suited for lake fishing are virtually useless in shallower, moving water. Is wading possible or even safe, or can it be done without spooking fish? Some rivers are more accessible to bank anglers, but fishing from shore isn’t as effective when smallmouths regularly hold tightly against the bank. Casting toward shore from mid-river is a much better way to consistently hook river smallies. These are all factors to consider when deciding when and where to fish, and how to do it.

GEAR UP

Specialized outfits aren’t usually required for river smallmouths, and most anglers already own several suitable rigs. Typically, a 6- or 6 1/2-foot spinning rod with a fast or medium-fast action and medium-light or medium power is ideal. The same recommendation applies to casting rods. These general-purpose setups cover most scenarios well.

Occasionally, a 6 1/2- to 7-foot rod with medium-heavy power and fast to medium-fast action might serve you better. This larger, heavier rod shines when throwing bigger crankbaits in high water and/or when water temps are cooler, such as the late spring/early summer post-spawn phase. It’s also helpful for chucking larger baits in fall when smallmouths gorge on baitfish while fattening up for winter. River fishing is often rough on line, but smallmouths, thankfully, aren’t super line shy. Eight- to 12-pound monofilament or fluorocarbon works great, and many manufacturers offer lines specifically engineered for the demands of river fishing. The other option is braid (8- to 10-pound for spinning reels; a bit heavier for baitcasters), which offers fantastic durability and a much higher breaking strength-to-diameter ratio. If using braid, add a 6- to 12-pound mono or fluoro leader, depending on the water and angler preference.

In ultra-clear water, 10- or 12-pound fluorocarbon main line is a good option, but in most rivers, 10-pound monofilament is hard to beat. It’s relatively cheap, and it’s easier to untangle knots and/or re-tie than braid. Mono also stretches better with little consequence, so it’s better for coaxing hooks out of snags than fluorocarbon, which never seems to feel or look right after being stretched to the max (which doesn’t take much).

Pliers and a hook file are must-haves on rivers, as hooks always take a beating. Hooks can usually be sharpened and straightened out once or twice before requiring replacement.

Fly-fishing for smallmouths is extremely popular, and 8 1/2- to 9-foot, 6- or 7-weight fly rods are ideal. Floating lines are necessary for the coveted popper fishing that occurs throughout summer. However, these lines will also get streamers down 2 or 3 feet beneath the surface if leader length and fly weight are adjusted accordingly. If fishing deeper stretches of river, intermediate lines or sink tips may be necessary.

COPY CRAYFISH

Smallmouth bass are crayfish junkies. Thus, crayfish-style crankbaits bumped along bottom, weighted crayfish streamers and slow-moving tube jigs all work great. The beauty of tubes and other impregnated soft plastics is that fish often hold these baits longer before spitting them out. In the chaos of river current, this is highly beneficial to anglers.

Actively feeding smallmouths habitually patrol prime crayfish habitat, and few things beat a slowly worked tube jig when fishing medium-depth rocky flats or vertical cover along the shoreline. It’s important to maintain enough line tension, but sometimes it’s difficult to feel a take. After the cast, let the lure fall, remaining vigilant for line movement or hard stops that occur before your lure hits the bottom. Smallies are quick, so pay attention. Watch for the line tightening, moving sideways or even wrinkling. If anything looks odd, tighten up and set the hook hard.

Stream currents greatly affect how lures and flies are fished, so adjust regularly for depth and current. Fast currents require more weight, while slower stretches enable anglers to go lighter, which is generally better from a presentation standpoint. Slightly dragging and lifting the rod to bounce a jig mimics a crayfish well and often triggers smallies. However, staying tight and allowing a tube jig to simply drift with the current is effective, too. Wading and shore-bound anglers do well targeting river smallies this way, as it allows them to cover a lot of water from a stationary position. Boat anglers, meanwhile, are able to float along with the current and extend their presentation when drifting, or target more specific areas with the drag-and-lift technique.

Hold your rod at an appropriate angle and position yourself to create the most direct line between the rod and lure. River currents are notorious for adding downstream “belly” in the line, which gives the false impression of good contact with the lure. In reality, though, a lot of deflection occurs with this, and it requires a much more aggressive rod sweep for an effective hookset.

This is likely the most common reason anglers miss river smallies, and it’s exacerbated when maintaining a low rod position (something many anglers habitually do), which is only warranted when actively retrieving a lure or fly. When fishing jigs, hold your rod higher to keep as much line off the water as possible while periodically taking up slack with the reel.

Rod angles greater than about 45 degrees are really pushing it, especially on breezy days, while anything less than about 30 degrees will increase the impact the current has on the line. Sometimes, it’s almost impossible to completely mitigate this issue, and switching to retrievable lures—crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinners—is a better approach. It’s always good to have multiple rods rigged and available for alternate techniques.

BEAT THE BANK

In streams lacking rocky substrate, fish will scour hard vertical structures like seawalls, riprap, dead falls and natural cliffs that extend into the water along the shoreline. Some species of crayfish colonize tree stumps and root balls along riverbanks and occasionally mid-river. These fortresses can be filled with crayfish, and no other fish is better at working them over for a meal than a big smallmouth.

While most anglers recognize structure and cover, river fish often position themselves to lessen the impact of stream currents, and you must consider this when approaching a given scenario. While any lure or fly may work on smallies cruising a wide-open flat for food, bank fish may be hyper-focused on structure and even facing the bank. Avoid random casts toward these spots, as your offering may not fall or drift where the fish is looking. Make meaningful, accurate casts as close to the structure as possible for the best odds of a fish seeing your presentation.

Smallmouths holding against riverbanks are generalists, often eating just about anything, but they’re especially known for surface feeding. Smallies often lock into surface activity just like a trout feeding on mayflies and similar aquatic insects. Bugs, frogs and minnows skimming the surface always draw attention, especially along riverbanks. A twitched floating plug, popper or frog imitation (including diver-style flies made with deer hair) can solicit explosive strikes or subtle sips depending on a smallmouth’s mood. Work slowly, only popping or twitching every 5 to 10 seconds. The key is patience. Smallmouths are notorious for taking motionless lures and flies from the surface.

Mid-summer is prime time for this style of fishing, but it can happen any time from spring to fall. Fly anglers regularly out-fish their conventional counterparts because they can cast and effectively work smaller poppers, like Boogle Bugs. These are often closer in size to a big beetle or a small frog than larger poppers that may be too big for well-fed summer smallies.

Honestly, size matters quite a bit with smallmouths, as smaller forage comprises a significant portion of their diet. Scale down lure and fly sizes, as even the largest fish regularly consume small stuff. Instead of throwing your normal largemouth lures, invest in baits ideal for targeting smallmouths.

MIX IT UP

While jigs and poppers are great, sometimes medium to small jerkbaits and crankbaits work well, too. Many bass anglers also greatly undervalue common, classic inline spinners and curly-tail grubs. Unless a pattern has been well established, start fishing the basics and adjust from there. It’s rare to end the day on a river without eventually figuring out a way to catch smallmouth bass. Many days, old school, conventional wisdom wins.

SMALLIE SWEET SPOTS

• Hit up some of the region’s top rivers for smallmouth bass.

The Midwest has many great smallmouth bass fisheries, some universally renowned for outstanding smallmouth fishing and others that fly under the radar. In fact, most Midwestern anglers are often only a short drive away from some truly incredible smallmouth rivers.

The Upper Mississippi River and its tributary, the St. Croix River, form the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. Each state also has many major Mississippi tributaries, including Wisconsin powerhouses like the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Chippewa rivers. These waters all consistently pump out big fish.

On the Wisconsin border with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Menominee River and major tributaries are outstanding smallmouth fisheries. This stream drains into Lake Michigan, and if you’re keeping score, no other Great Lake possesses such a wealth of outstanding smallmouth stream systems. The list is long, but some better-known options are the Manistee, Muskegon, Grand, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph rivers. Also in Michigan, the Detroit and St. Clair rivers have outstanding fisheries offering the potential for a personal-best smallmouth at any given moment.

Indiana anglers have some good choices, too, including the aforementioned St. Joseph River. However, some of the best streams are in the Mississippi watershed, including the Tippecanoe River and several other smaller Wabash River tributaries. Illinois’ Kankakee River is another outstanding fishery. Well-known by Chicagoland anglers, the river begins near South Bend, Ind. The channelized portions aren’t as desirable, but thankfully, much of the Illinois stretch remains natural and offers ideal habitat for smallmouth bass.

Missouri’s Ozarks region also contains many solid smallmouth rivers, with the Gasconade River often regarded as one of the best. Ohio’s Great Miami River, as well as Ohio River and Lake Erie tributaries, offer good smallmouth action, too.

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• This article was featured in the June/July 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe.

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