Hey all — I hope you’re all well and healthy. In wake of the outbreak, my family is thinking of headed out to a cabin to isolate. I’m curious as to whether or not any of you have got river smallmouth action as of late. If you have any reports or insight as to river smallmouth in the coming weeks, that would be great. Thank you and stay healthy.

I haven’t been out lately but some guys in my smallmouth club have been catching them all winter here in Northern Illinois rivers. Ned rigs and suspending jerkbaits have been the baits that were working.

I'm sure the fish could be caught but I'm waiting for the weather to get nice enough for me. LOL It was 30 F this morning.

been out after smallies on the river here in maine. water is still real cold and havent found any yet. early spring so fishing might heat up early in april. found that some small ponds the water turns over after ice out faster and largemouth move in.

On 3/15/2020 at 1:29 PM, Scott F said:

I haven’t been out lately but some guys in my smallmouth club have been catching them all winter here in Northern Illinois rivers. Ned rigs and suspending jerkbaits have been the baits that were working.

around what city or county are these rivers in? I'm up in Chicago and I'm itching to get out on the river, I have my travel rods packed in my jeep with my covid emergency gear. 

16 minutes ago, windy_city_bassin said:

around what city or county are these rivers in? I'm up in Chicago and I'm itching to get out on the river, I have my travel rods packed in my jeep with my covid emergency gear. 

With the stay at home order in place, I don’t think fishing qualifies as essential. I don’t know how the enforcement works.

 It looks like you already are aware of the Fox and DuPage. Other than that, ALL the rivers in Northern Illinois have quality smallmouth. The Kankakee, and the DesPlaines Rivers have bass. If you want to go farther, the Rock, the Kishwaukee and the Apple all are good. 

Here in central pa. Starting to catch some.

Had 4 of these pigs Friday, two as far back in the coves as I could go, two came from bluff banks. All on a spinnerbait white and chartreuse 

We've had non stop rain pretty much for the last three weeks or so.  The rivers have been way up and moving fast so I haven't been able to get the kayak out.  I got out today to fish off the bank but put up a big fat zero.

On 3/22/2020 at 9:27 PM, Redharley said:

Here in central pa. Starting to catch some.

Where you at in Central PA? I'm having a slow time near harrisburg but the rain hasn't helped my case 

Oh it's slow up here also, Sunbury area,  but a few can be had.  Better times ahead I hope.