The state of Michigan boasts a good population of smallmouth and largemouth bass. However, when you travel northward, the dominant species you can find are smallmouth bass. One can find large mouths in shallow bodies of water or reservoirs with standing timber, while smallmouths are found in rocky habitats and rivers. However, you can do both Michigan smallmouth fishing and largemouth fishing from the same bodies of water.
With ample freshwater rivers, lakes and streams, pure Michigan is every angler’s paradise waiting to be explored. For those who are just starting or who need a refresher, here are a few fun facts that you must know about Michigan Smallmouth fishing:
- The fish bite during the mornings and nights
Fish swim in deeper and cooler water, which is no secret. Bass fishing in the night or morning has become a favourite summer activity. It helps you escape the heat and recreational boat traffic and is also time for catching Big bass.
- Keep Your Eye on the Line
Oftentimes, check the line. If you see the line tangled from coming in contact with debris like rocks, gravel, and weeds in the water, it can break, meaning your trophy bass gets away.
- Study the Map
You can easily find maps for every lake around the state of Michigan. These maps are a suitable way of identifying drop-offs, weed beds, and any fish cribs that bass might like to use as shelter. Also, you can mark your fishing hot spots or duds areas.
- Change up Your Lure
There might be times when you cannot catch a single fish for a whole day just because you are set on a particular lure. Though some bass fishers live and die by the Hula Popper, when you switch up your lure or even the size of the lure, you have a good chance to land a big one.
- Know Your Seasons
The pre-spawn happens to be the best time to bass fish. It begins in spring when the water is about 60 degrees. Both male and female bass move to shallower waters in order to find the best place to nest and start aggressively feeding. A bass angler’s goldmine is during the pre-spawn.
- Some Lakes Are Better Than Others
Some Michigan lakes are popular for better fishing areas for a particular type of fish. Though catching walleye or a mess of panfish makes for an amazing day on the open water, you will find the most luck with bass on streams or lakes known best for bass fishing.
- Learn Where Bass Like to Hang Out
The tried-and-true method of bass fishing is casting near shores and trees on the water’s edge, but you can try your luck in some different spots. Bass likes to hide in bridges and rock piles and brush in the water.
- Study the Muskegon River Fishing report
After the actual angling excursion, Muskegon River Fishing Reports are produced. People who write the fishing reports claim they are precise since they depend on predictable seasonal patterns, water temperatures, and fish behaviour. Things never change overnight, so fish might travel around but never leave the state.
- Know What to Look For
There is a wide range of water vegetation in Michigan’s lakes. Specifically for bass, hydrilla, lily pads, hyacinths and other greenery happen to be ideal bass spots as they offer food, shade and higher levels of oxygen in the water.
- Don’t Try to Do Too Much
Getting out in the river and enjoying yourself is the key to any kind of fishing. Different lures and equipment might look nice, but you must get what you need and hit the water. Catching a great bass is great when your rival is on the water. So troll the waters, cast your line and experience the amazing fishing opportunities in Pure Michigan.
These are some angling tips when you want to catch Michigan fish.
Conclusion–
The Great Lakes and connecting water of Michigan have excellent smallmouth populations. Many lakes across the northern tier of the Lower Peninsula provide amazing smallmouth fishing. So do many of the rivers of southern Michigan. Also, many weedy backwaters of all the Great Lakes, drowned river mouths offer a good largemouths and smallmouths.
