Small Mouth Bass Fishing in Canada
Smallmouth bass are found in the clear, cool waters of lakes throughout Canada. The provinces of Ontario and Manitoba are especially well-known for the smallmouth bass opportunities they offer during the open-water season. Many anglers consider smallmouth bass to be one of the hardest-fighting and overall sportiest of freshwater fish. Generally, whenever anglers can find rods and crayfish, they can find smallmouth bass.
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Rocky Areas
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Rocks are the number one habitat of smallmouth bass. The fish are almost always associated with rocks, since rocks are where crayfish, the main smallmouth bass forage, are found. Begin searching for smallmouth bass in rocky areas; three of the best year-round locations are around rocky islands (both subsurface and surface-breaking islands), rocky points and shoals. Begin fishing on the rocks, but keep in mind the smallmouth bass may not be right on the rocks; instead, they may be in adjacent areas, moving onto the rocks only to feed under low-light conditions.
Be Realistic
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The water is clear in most Canadian lakes in which smallmouth bass are found, so use a lure that looks as natural as possible. Throughout the year, smallmouth bass target crayfish, so using lures that resemble crayfish, especially in coloration, is a wise choice. Browns and oranges are good colors to try; your selected lure should bump along the bottom like a crayfish. Crankbaits and jigs are also good options.
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On the Move
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Smallmouth bass in Canadian waters do not stay in the same locations all year. They are found in shallow, rocky areas in spring, when they are spawning; by summer, they move to deeper water and make feeding forays into the shallows under low-light conditions. Points, drop-offs and reef edges, in five to 30 feet of water, are good places for smallmouth bass. Smallmouth bass will stay in these same areas during fall, but they will shift a little bit deeper. During autumn, it is best to focus on waters that are 20 to 35 feet deep. A good plan in all seasons is to employ fast-moving lures, such as spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwater baits, to locate bass that are actively feeding. Once you catch a fish or two, slow down and fish the area more thoroughly with a jig.
Topwaters
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Smallmouth bass are arguably the sportiest fish that swim in Canadian waters, and topwater baits are one of the most fun---and, at times, most effective---ways to catch them. Topwaters are most effective under the low-light conditions of morning and evening. The fish move onto rocky areas and hunt for crayfish during these times. Opportunistic feeders, they will also eat minnows. Topwater baits are especially good at mimicking a wounded minnow, so smallmouths will sometimes explode through the water to hit a topwater. If you have been fishing a topwater bait in likely areas for more than about an hour without a bite, it is time to try different bait and fish a little deeper.
Location
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Smallmouth bass are native to waters of southern Ontario and Quebec. As in the United States, stocking efforts have dramatically increased the number of waters in which fishermen can find smallmouth bass. Stocking provides excellent smallmouth bass fishing in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, as well as in the western provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
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References
- Photo Credit antique fishing lure image by Jeffrey Sinnock from Fotolia.com
