There seems to be quite a bit of variance in the definition of “creek,” from small tributaries you can float, many of which have river in the name all the way down to “dry run” type runoff’s and drainage ditches.

 

I am referring to something in the middle but closer to the latter, inches deep and small enough to walk across at most points but with enough deep pockets to hold 10-15” bass occasionally. The “cricks” you played in as a kid flipping rocks for crawdads.

 

Most of these little streams dry up pretty severely in the summer when the rain slows up, my question is do they stop producing mostly? On one hand more water generally = more activity, better fishing. In streams this tiny, however this can make it very difficult to find the holes. Is this important, or do you want these levels so they can come out of the holes and move about freely, or will they generally stay in or around those deeper areas? 

When I was a teenage I waded creeks and never really found the secret to what  makes a great smallmouth creek.  I had one creek that would dry up into individual holes in the summer that was full of smallmouth.  I had to rescue a few fish that got trapped in puddles too small for them to survive.  I can't explain why this creek had so many fish.

 

To answer you question:  Yes I used to fish tiny creeks in the summer and no they did not shut down.

Best time to do it 

56 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Best time to do it 

Is that because the fish are done spawning and in a predictable feeding pattern?

2 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

 my question is do they stop producing mostly? 

Try it out and see what you catch

I don't fish a "creek" per se but I routinely fish a fairly shallow river here.  Have done it for nearly 20 years, just not as often recently.  It isn't navigable with a boat until the very lower section.  Most of it is only accessible by small craft (canoe, kayak, etc) or wading.

 

Midsummer is by far the best time period to fish it.  Like on a warm, sunny day when the water is like a bath tub.  The smallmouth are extremely aggressive.

 

Unfortunately, drought has played a role in the amount of quality fish.  Very shallow warm water holds very little oxygen.  The fish will congregate into areas near current and deeper holes so the locations are often very predictable.  I used to catch 17-20 inchers regularly out of this river; now it's all 10-15 inchers.  I think the big fish left the system due to constant drought.

28 minutes ago, gim said:

It isn't navigable with a boat until the very lower section.  Most of it is only accessible by small craft (canoe, kayak, etc) or wading.

That the Crow?

Just now, MN Fisher said:

That the Crow?

 

Rum

That's what we used to do all the time growing up.  Wet wading in the small creeks with a 5' ultralight and a small pack of lures.  You'll need to downsize a little, be stealthy on approach, and cover some territory (have good hiking boots).  But 50 bass days weren't uncommon in tiny creeks.  most were 12" and under but occasionally you'd get a 2lb fish.  All great on 4 lb line and ultralight rods.  

One does not have to be an excellent caster with lighter lures and plastics when creek fishing, but imo, one should be good at casting skills. It is key to having an enjoyable fishing experience. Accuracy matters.

Good Fishing

If you can find a creek that connects with a river you are about guaranteed to find some fish, good ones as well.

 

In the summer heat, a smallmouth would much rather be in cooler/cleaner water.

 

A buddy of mine has a creek that runs through his place. The creek is about a 2 mile stretch to a medium sized Iowa river. Shocking how big some of the bass are in it.

There is a few creeks around that I will fish. Mostly I don't have much luck in mine though. 1 of them is pretty heavily fished, another is in the city and not much of a creek.

I take my boys to them during the summer months to wade and catch whatever will bite. It’s what made me fall in love with fishing when I was a kid and they seem to really enjoy it also. 

When I first started smallmouth fishing I waded the creeks around my house. Most of my summers were spent wading 2 mid-sized creeks. They were probably 10-20 yards across at points and mostly 1-2' deep with some deep pockets mixed in. I personally was able to catch decent numbers throughout the summer, but it was a grind. Dragging ned rigs and catching mostly small fish. The best spots we fished were almost always deeper pockets and pools surrounded by shallow water. Often the more active fish will be at the tail of the pools right before the riffle.

21 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

If you can find a creek that connects with a river you are about guaranteed to find some fish, good ones as well.

 

In the summer heat, a smallmouth would much rather be in cooler/cleaner water.

 

A buddy of mine has a creek that runs through his place. The creek is about a 2 mile stretch to a medium sized Iowa river. Shocking how big some of the bass are in it.

Don’t all creeks connect to rivers?

49 minutes ago, ohioguy25 said:

Don’t all creeks connect to rivers?

 

Bro, I'm not a doctor.