Ice melt is ongoing as we speak. Some lakes such as mid-size lakes, flowages, and river systems are open and ready to go, while the largest waterbodies will be
Finesse fishing for smallmouths has ignited angler interest. More anglers are turning to long spinning rod and high-capacity reel set-ups for achieving long casts with light line presentations.
After ice-out, smallmouth undertake structural migrations from wintering sites to their staging locations, utilizing the lake’s contours and breaklines as their trail in order to reach these temporary destinations.
Across many northern waters, smallmouth activity begins immediately after ice-out. Where catch and release-only regulations are implemented in Michigan and Wisconsin, it’s now possible to target smallmouths in spring
Winter relents. Spring creeps in. Ice has finished melting, and we have open water once again. At this time, smallmouths are schooling together and stacked; programmed to undergo structural
For spring smallmouths, suspending jerkbaits have become staples for most anglers. Nearly everyone has one, or a few, rigged up on deck. They are the ticket to early spring