Michigan wildlife
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Smallmouth bass prefer rocky, clear, cool waters.
See the Smallmouth Bass up close
Best months
May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Fish early morning or late evening during summer; check local DNR fishing reports for lake conditions.
Where to look
Northern Lake Michigan boulder fields (near Beaver Island area)Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan shorelineHiggins Lake, northern lower peninsula
Conservation status
Stable native predator, popular sport fish in Great Lakes
Good to know
What is the best bait for smallmouth bass?
Crayfish imitations, soft plastic craws, or topwater lures work well.
Where in Michigan are smallmouth bass most abundant?
The St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and northern Lake Michigan are renowned.
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