Finding Smallmouth Bass in Rivers

S mallmouth Bass Fishing

Finding Smallmouth Bass in Rivers

Many medium-sized to large rivers are very under-fished for
smallmouth bass. With the right equipment and knowledge, you can
get into some excellent fishing and have many spots all to yourself.

River fishing is very different from fishing lakes and reservoirs,
although smallmouth will stage in specific areas throughout the
seasons just like they do in lakes.

In the spring, smallmouth start moving out of deeper water a little
earlier than they do in lakes. As the water approaches 47 to 48
degrees, you will start finding fish in the riffles along the way to their
spawning site. Many smallmouth will swim miles away to get to their
spawning site. Fishing along riffles and current breaks will be very
productive in the spring. Most smallmouth will spawn along the edge of
the stream where there is little current. Others make it all the way up to
dams, get stuck, and end up spawning there.

After the spawn, smallmouth become fairly predictable. They will be in
deeper pools with boulders, logs, rock ledges, or rock bottoms. The
best pools are just below shallow riffles so the smallmouth can jet out
and snag an easy meal when they are hungry. After they feed, they go
back and rest in the deeper water. You can catch smallmouth all
summer as long as you are fishing in these areas when they are
feeding in the morning and evening.

As fall approaches, smallmouth will be found in similar areas as the
spring and lots of fish will actually move up to the dams. Rivers that
have dams usually get fished heavily in the fall because the
smallmouth are feeding there before winter approaches. Throughout
winter, fishing is very tough. They remain in deep pools and are very
inactive.

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