The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu
Smallmouth Bass Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 12–18 in, 1–4 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 27 in and 12 lb |
| Lifespan | typically 6–14 years, with a documented maximum near 26 |
| Range | Native across the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay and Mississippi drainages, and the dominant bass over rock in all five Great Lakes and their tributaries. |
| Habitat | Clear cool water over gravel, rock and reef — points, drop-offs and island shoals, generally 5–35 ft. |
| Diet | Crayfish above all, plus round gobies, minnows and insects — tube jigs and drop-shot minnows cover both. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Smallmouth Bass
- Bronze-brown body with dark vertical bars
- Red to red-orange eye
- Upper jaw ends at or before the rear of the eye
- Single dorsal, shallowly notched, not fully split
- Dark radiating bars across the cheek and gill cover
- Forked tail tricolored in young (orange/black/white)
Tell it apart: A bronze body with vertical bars, a red eye, and an upper jaw ending no farther back than the rear of the eye confirms smallmouth (largemouth's jaw extends well past the eye and it shows a horizontal stripe, not bars).
How to Catch Smallmouth Bass
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- Prime June-August in warm water; work tubes and drop-shot rigs on rocky structure, switching to jerkbaits in cooler pre-spawn spring conditions.GearTube baitsDrop-shot hooksSuspending jerkbaits
When & Where Smallmouth Bass Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes Inshore | ||||||||||||
| Great Lakes Nearshore |
Smallmouth Bass Regulations
MinnesotaMinnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota DNR)WisconsinWisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)MichiganMichigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)IllinoisIllinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fisheries (iFish Illinois)IndianaIndiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Fish & WildlifeOhioOhio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of WildlifePennsylvaniaPennsylvania Fish and Boat CommissionNew York (Great Lakes / inland)New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.