Smallmouth bass are a favorite among anglers for their hard-fighting nature and aggressiveness towards lures. Here at Wired2Fish, we love fishing for smallmouth. In fact, we love it so much we decided to narrow down the top 10 best smallmouth lakes in the world. We based this list on tournament results, fishing reports and a wealth of personal experience. If you’re looking for the best spots to target these feisty fish, here’s a detailed look at 10 top lakes renowned for trophy smallmouth bass fishing.
1. Lake Erie
State: Ohio/Michigan/New York/Pennsylvania
Boasting the thirteenth largest surface area of any lake in the world, Erie is an enormous fishery and the fourth largest of the Great Lakes. The fishing in Buffalo, New York; Port Clinton, Ohio and just south of Detroit, Michigan is famous for both ridiculous numbers and size. This lake kicks out as many 5-pound smallmouth bass as any in our list and does so with jaw-dropping consistency. The lake record smallmouth weighs a whopping 10.15 pounds, and it’s the only 10 pound smallmouth caught in any Great Lake. While I’ve visited numerous lakes around Erie, I’ve never had the pleasure of fishing on the special body of water. However if you’re looking to visit the best smallmouth fishery in the country, there’s no doubt that Lake Erie is where you need to go.
2. St. Lawrence River
State: New York
Known for fast moving current and giant smallmouth, the St. Lawrence river is always in contention when you’re talking about the best smallmouth bass fisheries. With major tournaments being hosted here each year, it’s really shown off the massive smallmouth that resides in this body of water. Just recently this river pumped out the new state record smallmouth, weighing a whopping 9 pounds. I’ve traveled to the St. Lawrence river three different times now, and each trip I’m met with both quality bites and numbers. A drop shot, tube and Damiki rig were some of the most productive lures during those trips. If you’re looking to plan your next adventure, the St. Lawrence River is an excellent place to try.
3. Mille Lacs Lake
State: Minnesota
I’ve heard rumors about this lake since I first got into bass fishing. However in recent years this fishery has exploded, pumping out giant bags of smallmouth on a very consistent basis. This lake receives very little smallmouth fishing pressure throughout the year compared to other major lakes, so when you find a group of ’em, it’s not too difficult to trick them into biting. It has both numbers and size, so expect to stay busy when you take a fishing trip to Mille Lacs. I went this past summer with some close friends, and we caught countless 4 and 5-pound smallmouth.
4. Lake Michigan
State: Michigan
With Green Bay and Grand Traverse Bay on the lake as well as the Bay de Noc and Little Bay de Noc stretches, it’s hard not to rank Lake Michigan as one of the top smallmouth bass fisheries. While most would consider these two separate fisheries because of the distance between them and size of the big water you’d have to cover to fish both in a day, they are still part of the same amazing fishery that is Lake Michigan. Twenty to 25-pound limits are common in both bays with tons of 4- to 5-pound smallmouths ripe for the picking.
5. Lake of the Woods
State: Minnesota
This vast lake system offers countless islands and rocky shoals perfect for smallmouth bass fishing. The clear waters allow for excellent visibility, making it a popular destination for sight fishing. Early summer is known for fantastic shallow water smallmouth fishing at Lake of the Woods, while late summer is great for throwing a topwater and other reaction-style baits. I’ve only been to Lake of the Woods once in 2018, however we caught countless bass on a walking-style topwater. It was easily one of my more memorable days of smallmouth bass fishing to date.
6. Lake Champlain
State: New York/Vermont
Champlain has always been known as a world class fishery for both smallmouth and largemouth, however their smallmouth population has really taken off in recent years. During a trip to this lake a few years ago, we landed more than 60 fish in one day while fishing in the spring and caught them all by sight. The lake is full of 3 to 4-pound smallmouth with 5-pounders being fairly common. Not only is the shallow fishing world class, but I’ve also had fantastic days of deep fishing using electronics and finesse gear. No matter what type of smallmouth fishing you enjoy, Lake Champlain is sure to have all the opportunities you could dream of.
7. Lake Huron
State: Michigan
Part of the Great Lakes system, Lake Huron has some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the region. The rocky structure and variety of depths create an ideal habitat, holding fish that seem to be almost prehistoric. Areas like Saginaw Bay are particularly popular, and there are numerous professional level bass tournaments held here each year. Catching 3 to 4-pound smallmouth is fairly common, with 5-plus pounders being caught frequently as well. I’ve fished three different tournaments on Lake Huron, all taking place in Saginaw Bay. It took over 20 pounds of smallmouth a day to win at these events, and the fishing truly was spectacular.
8. Lake Superior
State: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan
Being the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, Lake Superior offers a vast amount of exceptional smallmouth bass fishing. The rocky shorelines and deep waters provide ideal habitats for a healthy smallmouth population. There haven’t been many major bass tournaments here in recent years, however local results show this fishery is as strong as ever, consistently pumping out giant bags of smallmouth. Some of the most popular lures on this fishery consist of a drop shot, Ned rig and a jig and minnow.
9. Dale Hollow Reservoir
State: Kentucky/Tennessee
Dale Hollow is certainly higher on the list for many anglers, especially ones that live in the south. This lake holds the world record smallmouth weighing in at 11 pounds, 15 ounces. While this lake does hold the record, it was caught in 1955 and the average size has largely decreased since then. It’s a unique fishery compared to most of the others on this list. Throughout the colder months, it offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing with casting jigs and crankbaits in a very beautiful setting. Winter is great for targeting smallmouth out deep using a mix of jigging spoons and Damiki rigs. Living in east Tennessee I frequent the fishery often. Catching 30 plus smallmouth a day is fairly common, typically ranging between 2 and 4 pounds.
10.Wilson Lake
State: Alabama
Last but certainly not least, Wilson Lake offers some phenomenal smallmouth bass fishing. In several windows throughout the year, big smallies are king on this TVA fishery. You’ll find plenty of smallmouth in the 2- to 5-pound range with the occasional 6- to 8-pounders tipping the scales. Tailraces, steep bluff banks and large boulders give anglers lots of high-percentage areas to target, making it a must-visit destination for all anglers. I’ve visited Wilson Lake a handful of times, each visit landing a trophy smallmouth on either a big swimbait or umbrella rig.
FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF
These 10 lakes represent some of the best destinations for smallmouth bass fishing across North America. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice, each of these locations offers unique challenges and rewards. If you’re looking to plan your next fishing excursion, any of these destinations would be a great choice for your next adventure. And don’t forget to check our article on the best smallmouth lures.
