Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Michigan
Check regulations
Check regulations
Year-round
Overview
Lake St. Clair is the premier smallmouth bass fishery in Michigan and perhaps the entire Midwest.
Great Lakes smallmouth grow to enormous sizes thanks to the goby forage base.
Tube jigs on rocky substrate are the classic Michigan smallmouth presentation.
River smallmouth in the Au Sable, Huron, and Muskegon offer excellent wade fishing.
Best Waters in Michigan
- Lake St. Clair — Shallow, fertile lake with massive smallmouth bass populations feeding on gobies over rock and gravel.
- Grand Traverse Bay — Crystal-clear northern Lake Michigan bay with trophy smallmouth on rocky shoals.
- Au Sable River — Iconic Michigan trout and smallmouth river with quality fish in scenic settings.
- Muskegon River — West Michigan river with excellent smallmouth fishing in current-swept rocky areas.
Local Techniques & Baits
Techniques
- Tube jig
- Drop shot
- Ned rig
- Topwater
- Jerkbait
Baits & Lures
- Green pumpkin tube
- Goby-pattern ned bait
- Rapala X-Rap
- Heddon Zara Spook Jr
- Roboworm drop shot
Seasonal Guide for Michigan
SpringSpring Fishing
Pre-spawn in May. Smallmouth move to shallow rock and gravel areas. Tube jigs and jerkbaits are top choices.
SummerSummer Fishing
Peak season on Lake St. Clair. Fish shallow rock flats with tubes, topwaters, and drop shots.
FallFall Fishing
Smallmouth feed aggressively on gobies over rock structure. Ned rigs and tubes are consistent producers.
WinterWinter Fishing
Ice fishing for smallmouth is possible with jigging spoons and minnows on deep rock humps.
Regulations
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current regulations with Michigan Fish & Wildlife. Information shown was last updated 2025-01-01.
Specific regulations for smallmouth bass in Michigan are not listed in our database. Please check the official Michigan regulations for current rules.