Here in SE Ontario, we can fish bass until Dec. 15 on back lakes and Dec. 31 on Lake Ontario/the St. Lawrence River.  I’m wondering how late into the fall/early winter is the smallmouth fishing potentially still “good”?  Our nights will (probably) be consistently below freezing by early November, with ice likely forming on smaller lakes by late November.  Assuming it’s safe to get out there, how late in the year would it be worth trying?  Is there a point (water temp maybe?) where the chance of a good day really drops off?  And if you have had good smallmouth days in really cold weather, where are you typically finding them?

1 hour ago, The Baron said:

Is there a point (water temp maybe?

50 degrees. Once it drops below that, it will become significantly tougher.

 

Here in MN that usually occurs around early November.

47 degrees is magic smallmouth water temp for me, but I’m a days drive south. They eat like sharks at 47-49

5 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

47 degrees is magic smallmouth water temp for me, but I’m a days drive south. They eat like sharks at 47-49

I’m guessing those water temps don’t occur until at least December where you are.

I’m often deer hunting in November, but I have in the past, and plan to this year keep the boat going for longer, as long as the weather isn’t too bad. I’ve had “warmer” late November days where I’ve had an epic shallow bite on a jerkbait. Like 50 bass a day in 3’ of water, and the temps were around 43 or so. I’ve also hit massive deeper schools on Georgian Bay when the water was in the mid to low 40s, fish on every single drop with a drop shot. 

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I’m guessing those water temps don’t occur until at least December where you are.

That’s usually pretty close, sometimes it takes until January and sometimes it never gets below 50 

After turn over here, Oct / Nov time frame

water temps crash through the 40's and starts ticking the 30's.  

I can usually still get a few decent brown bass right up until the hard water.

Just depends on whether or not I want to endure the elements to do it.

So much nicer with little to no wind and brilliant sunshine.

Doesn't happen much but when it does.

I am there.

A-Jay

 

I live in the Southern Tier of New York. I can have great days for Smallmouth as long as there is open water to fish. But they seem to get farther apart as the year progresses.  I should say that I fish the Susquehanna River for the most part and don't do much lake fishing for bass after October. Jerk baits, Rattle Traps and Original Rapala work the best for me. Sometimes a tube bait just cannot be beat in cold water as long as there is current. A simple jig head with a MIster Twister grub tail can also be a killler. Just my observations, and your results may vary.

 

 

<----------  45*  mid January

13 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

That’s usually pretty close, sometimes it takes until January and sometimes it never gets below 50 

I fish the Tennessee River on the Alabama Line and I've never experienced water temp below 50. I'm sure it has happened but not while I was on the river. Temp was in the 70's yesterday and they were biting like sharks until the rain stopped and the run came out.

1 minute ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

I fish the Tennessee River on the Alabama Line and I've never experienced water temp below 50. I'm sure it has happened but not while I was on the river. Temp was in the 70's yesterday and they were biting like sharks until the rain stopped and the run came out.

Sun came out!

I plan on Damiki rig fishing this winter as long the launches aren't frozen.  Last year I fished for largemouth and smallmouth throughout temps in the 40s.  Low 40s got pretty tough and then it froze up on me.  Mids 40s is a great time for a blade bait.  

Figured in Ontario you would be ice fishing in December.

 

Allen

7 hours ago, Munkin said:

Figured in Ontario you would be ice fishing in December.

 

Allen

Depends on the year.  On back lakes and smaller bays, that's certainly possible.  Famous places like the Bay of Quinte and other larger lakes it might not be safe until January.  I'm hoping to try for bass a few more times, maybe even into November to see if I've been missing out by quitting earlier.

Smallies don't start disappearing until the water temps really slow down their metabolisms (below 40 degrees). They start showing back up in the spring when their metabolisms start speeding up again (above 40 degrees). That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

My river bass annually allude all my attempts  around Nov  1st.

Latest catch for me was Nov 9th and earliest is Mar. 8th.

This was a very special day in November 2009. 

 

I’ve had 20 smallie days Ice fishin. The thing with winter is they STACK UP. Once you find where they are you know they aren’t moving. They’ll be there every winter, all winter.  Some times you may need to sweet talk em to get em to bite.  Other times they’ll be chewin 

On 10/2/2022 at 1:01 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

Smallies don't start disappearing until the water temps really slow down their metabolisms (below 40 degrees). They start showing back up in the spring when their metabolisms start speeding up again (above 40 degrees). That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

This has been my experience as well. I've had a few special days at 38 degrees. Never done well below that.

54 minutes ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

I’ve had 20 smallie days Ice fishin. The thing with winter is they STACK UP. Once you find where they are you know they aren’t moving. They’ll be there every winter, all winter.  Some times you may need to sweet talk em to get em to bite.  Other times they’ll be chewin 

Ya but they're like reeling in a wet shoe when its that cold.  Its completely dead weight.  So then its essentially like walleye fishing lol

36 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Ya but they're like reeling in a wet shoe when its that cold.  Its completely dead weight.  So then its essentially like walleye fishing lol

I’ve had some smallies  fight and even jump in the super cold!  They still pull drag, fight much better then largemouth 

3 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

even jump in the super cold

How do they jump through the ice?

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

How do they jump through the ice?

Haha you never seen them jump through the hole. It’s pretty awesome! 

5 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

Haha you never seen them jump through the hole. It’s pretty awesome! 

You just hear them thump when they hit the underside of the ice.  lol

On 10/3/2022 at 8:45 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

This was a very special day in November 2009. 

 

my god man !

First week of November was pretty bleak in New Hampshire last year, I won't bank on repeating a trip at that time.