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Smallmouth Bass

The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus. One of the black basses, it is a popular game fish sought by anglers throughout the temperate zones of North America, and has been spread by stock to many cool-water tributaries and lakes in the United States and Canada. The smallmouth bass is native to the upper and middle Mississippi River basin, the Saint Lawrence River–Great Lakes system, and up into the Hudson Bay basin. Its common names include Smallmouth, Bronzeback, Brown Bass, Brownie, Smallie, Bronze Bass, and Bare back Bass".

Lake Erie is the angler's dream-come-true for smallmouth bass. Lake Erie has been know to make angler arms sore with 5-pound fish and there is the possibility of a fish up to 7-pounds – a true master angler! This kind of action takes place all along the southern shore of the lake, from the western basin east through Pennsylvania and New York.

Fishing For Smallmouth Bass

Jigs are generally the top lures for smallmouth bass fishing on Lake Erie, where 'shallow' water might be deeper than the 'deep' water in smaller lakes. Other artificial lures spend too much time out of the fish-catching zone, but jigs get down fast and stay where the fish are. One major exception to lure choices occurs in some of the bays or harbors. Water in these places often has more color (often times stained). Fishing might take place in depths of less than 10 feet, where crankbaits or spinnerbaits can be very effective. If you use a spinnerbait, start with a single, silver Colorado blade. If you opt for a crankbait, start with a fire tiger color with the model of your choice.

Where to Find Smallmouth Bass

In May, smallmouths’ live in shallow water where they are most aggressive during their pre-spawn period. Some say that May is the best month for Lake Erie’s smallmouth fishing. As the big lake warms slowly, the shallow near-shore water warms first and faster. This stimulates the food chain across the board, starting with the plankton. This creates a domino effect with shiners, smelt, shad, crawfish, and other prey of smallmouths being attracted to the much warmer waters. Smallmouth’s invade the shallow water to feed heavily on the warm waters inhabitance and ultimately to spawn.

Over the recent years, the round goby (invasive specie in the great lakes that is known as an egg eater) has been held responsible for declining populations of smallmouths. Recent studies have shown that the invasive gobies have become the major dietary item for Lake Erie smallmouths and other game fish such as walleye. This should help the in the rebound efforts for Lake Erie’s Smallmouth Bass

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In Lake Erie, finding smallmouth bass is a matter of finding the right bottom structure. Rocky rubble, a jumble of rocks of various sizes and shapes, is the best bottom type. Find a hump, a hole, or a drop-off in rocky rubble, and you will almost certainly find smallmouths. Another major smallmouth structure type is bedrock ledge. Bedrock flats rarely hold more than a few scattered smallmouths. Some of the most famous places to find smallmouths in Lake Erie are the Lake Erie Islands in Ohio, Peele Island in Ontario, the Pennsylvania Shore Line and the New York Shorline.

What Angers Are Catching

Although bass abundance remains below desired levels, those caught should be of excellent size (15 to 22 inches, weighing 2 to 6 pounds). Bass fishing is best in areas with good bottom structure, which is available across much of the entire near shore area of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario. There are also dumping grounds area's, reefs and points that hold smallmouth bass throughout the season.

Limits - 2010

Michigan - The smallmouth bass season is open from the Last Saturday in April through the Friday before Memorial Day. The daily bag limit is 5 fish, with a 14-inch minimum size limit.

Ohio - A closed season remains in effect from May 1 through June 26, during which all black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) must be immediately released. Beginning June 27, the daily bag limit for bass will remain at five fish, with a 14-inch minimum length limit.

Pennsylvania - The bass season is January 1st through December 31st. The minimum size is 15 inches and 4 fish except for April 16th through June 17th where the minimum size is 20 inches and 1 fish is allowed.

New York - The bass season is the First Saturday in May through the Friday before the Third Saturday in June. The bag limit is 1 fish that is at least 20 inches. The Third Saturday in June through November 30. The bag limit is 5 fish that are at least 12 inches. December 1 through the Friday preceding the first Saturday in May is Catch and Release only and Artificial lures only.

Ontario - The bass season is the 4th Saturday in June to November. 30. With a sportsman's license the bag limit is 6 and a conservation license the bag limit is 2.

Anglers are reminded that fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly and adjustments are often necessary to improve success. Anglers should take into account such factors as water temperature, cloud cover, water clarity, boat traffic, wave action, structure and the amount of bait fish in the area. Anglers are also reminded to carefully monitor Lake Erie weather and to seek safe harbor before storms approach.

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