Has anybody had experience fishing for smallmouth on or near Manitoulan Island, Ontario? I spent the day trying to catch smallmouth on a lake called Bass Lake and Lake Huron with absolutely 0 success. I have never fished for smallmouth before so it very well could have been my tactics at fault.

 

If you know of a good lake to fish nearby or have any advice please chime in.

 

Thanks.

My cottage is on big lake good sm fishing there.

 

Thanks for your help. I will give it a shot before ice up.

Has anybody had experience fishing for smallmouth on or near Manitoulan Island, Ontario? I spent the day trying to catch smallmouth on a lake called Bass Lake and Lake Huron with absolutely 0 success. I have never fished for smallmouth before so it very well could have been my tactics at fault.

 

If you know of a good lake to fish nearby or have any advice please chime in.

 

Thanks.

Never fished there, I did have a chance to go up and was going to hit the same lake as you did, but didn't go as the forecast was rain all weekend.  I heard from a couple of others though doing my "research" that it was a good bass lake.  Anyway, what I usually do for smallies up north in general isn't much difference anywhere.

 

1 - Topwater - Buzzbaits and Jitterbugs

2 - White/Cht Spinnerbaits 3/8 oz

3 - Flukes (Super)

4 - Senkos

5 - Drop Shot - (it's usually clear water where I fish, so I usually go with natural colors)

Never fished there, I did have a chance to go up and was going to hit the same lake as you did, but didn't go as the forecast was rain all weekend.  I heard from a couple of others though doing my "research" that it was a good bass lake.  Anyway, what I usually do for smallies up north in general isn't much difference anywhere.

 

1 - Topwater - Buzzbaits and Jitterbugs

2 - White/Cht Spinnerbaits 3/8 oz

3 - Flukes (Super)

4 - Senkos

5 - Drop Shot - (it's usually clear water where I fish, so I usually go with natural colors)

I have been told by many locals this week that the Natives have netted Bass Lake so much that the only thing left in there are small perch. When I fished it I graphed many schools of fish and would drop down to them but only catch 3-5 inch perch. The perch were so small yet persistent that they would follow baits all the way to the boat. (Up to 50 perch would follow the bait to the boat.) Yesterday I found out about another lake nearby that the Natives haven't ravaged yet.

 

Thanks for your help.

I have been told by many locals this week that the Natives have netted Bass Lake so much that the only thing left in there are small perch. When I fished it I graphed many schools of fish and would drop down to them but only catch 3-5 inch perch. The perch were so small yet persistent that they would follow baits all the way to the boat. (Up to 50 perch would follow the bait to the boat.) Yesterday I found out about another lake nearby that the Natives haven't ravaged yet.

 

Thanks for your help.

That is a first, I thought Natives preferred the walleye I thought.  Anyway, if that is true that is unfortunate.