I am going up to Canada (Ontario) in a couple of weeks and one lake i fish is clear as bath water. I have never caught a smallmouth in this lake but i do know it is loaded with them. Any suggestions as to patterns these fish tend to follow this time of year? I'm looking for any tips on areas to look for and presentation pointers.

Thanks for any knowledge shared!

It should be post-spawn or spawn up there..

Imitate the forage colors

but also bring a couple of chartreuse clown colors just in case..

cause bass dont always read the forum nor follow the rules sometimes..

I live near Detroit Michigan and the spawn is over here. It should be post spawn in Ontario also. Try watermelon seed or root beer tubes and senkos. Or natural color baits on a drop shot. By sure to use floro also. Good luck

Thank you, gentlemen, for your replies!  Should I look for rocky shoals near deeper water?

Also, don't forget to try vertical jigging blade baits, just off the first drop offs.

Where at in Ontario? How bigs the lake? A rule of thumb I follow is early morning and night time I fish shore structure.  Beaver houses,logs,and rocks. Mid day I fish shoals and rockpiles. But I have also caught them in a foot of water midday and in 30 feet pitch black. Smallmouth are crazy. If it's a small portage lake just toss at every rock and stump you see.