Hey Yall! Been diving in deep into Ultralight fishing lately and have been having a blast with stud gills and the occasional 2lb - 3lb largemouth. Something about that light tackle is suuuuper fun especially with the bigger fish. Its got me super curious in targetting smallmouth since they are such hard fighters! They remind me of a cross between bluegill and largies. Where are some of the best places to target smallies around Sacramento and the greater area? I have a pedal drive kayak as well. Thanks in advance!

Pardee is pretty close to you and has a healthy population of SM. Used to be some absolute giant SM in there and I'm sure there's still some giants swimming around. If you're up for a road trip into the mountains Almanor is well worth the trip. 

If you want fun on light tackle, take a trip to Shasta. You won’t get

many smallies but you’ll catch all the 1 1/2-2# spots you want. They fight bigger than they are. The lake is full and the fish are shallow. Bring lots of plastics. 

Thanks you both been hearing alot about Shasta I'll try to get up there this summer and go to town on em. Good to know about Pardee as well pretty close to home. Tight lines

I heard the north delta, or Sacramento area Delta has SMs. They stay up north. Youtube is a good place for research. 

I’ve gotten into pretty decent number of smallies on the Delta above Isleton.  Nothing big, probably largest was around 2lbs but a surprising catch

Most of the bass lakes along the Hwy 49 from above Stockton to Sacramento contain Smalllmouth bsss populations. Mokelumme River in the Delta may also have Smallmouth further upriver.

Lots to choose from.

Tom