I'm very fortunate that I found a shore fishing location in the city that delivers both spring and fall and is only a 10 min drive with a half mile walk; the downside is that it's practically unfishable in the summer due to boat traffic.

 

scott

2 hours ago, GaryH said:

Day trip 1hr 45 min. Drive down to the Juniata river to wade. For good chance at big girls 11 hrs to Dale Hollow twice a year. And 4 hrs to the St. Lawrence once or twice a year.

We still need to meet up at dale hollow one day. How’s this winter sound for a weekend ? 

Fortunate for me is that I have plenty of great smallmouth in my area. Closest is about 20 minutes but I usually drive an hour since the fish in the Colimbia average bigger than those in the Willamette. 

22 hours ago, gim said:

The last smallmouth survey done out there showed that just over half the population was 17 inches or bigger.

 

An average smallmouth at the lakes I fished in northwestern Ontario was 17 inches, but bass 19" - 21" weren't rare. To reach those lakes, I drove about eight hours, but then the real work began: logging roads and portages. 

@Swamp Girl Mille Lacs had a special regulation for smallmouth for about 10 years that turned it into a trophy caliber lake: only 1 fish could be kept over 21 inches. With that regulation in place, the bass proliferated. The regs were then changed a few years ago to bag limit of 3, all under 17 inches. Very few people keep bass out there though; if people want to keep fish, they are chasing walleye or perch.

 

First they protected all the bass to establish a self sustaining population, now they protect the bigger ones.

 

I firmly believe a state record is swimming in that lake. It’s just a matter of time until someone catches it. My only hope is that it’s caught by a bass angler, not a walleye angler using live bait. We’d never hear the end of it if a walleye angler catches it.

The waters by me for potential big smallies are 45 minutes to a hr away.

Farest I've driven is 5+ hrs to the Adirondacks, then we camp for a week up there.

I've have not reached my potential  

On 10/31/2025 at 7:16 PM, TnRiver46 said:

We still need to meet up at dale hollow one day. How’s this winter sound for a weekend ? 

I’ll let you know for sure when I head down.

On 10/31/2025 at 10:43 AM, gim said:

The last smallmouth survey done out there showed that just over half the population was 17 inches or bigger.  

 

Well, we have been driving from Virginia to St Clair every year for the last 23 years and my personal goal for a replica smallmouth is 7lbs.  In all that time there’s only been 1 that size caught and it wasn’t by me.  😆 

1 hour ago, TOXIC said:

Well, we have been driving from Virginia to St Clair every year for the last 23 years and my personal goal for a replica smallmouth is 7lbs.  In all that time there’s only been 1 that size caught and it wasn’t by me.  😆 

 

One of these years I'm going to head over there as well.

 

Around 9 hours roughly.

 

It's been number 1 on my bucket list for several years now.

1 hour ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

One of these years I'm going to head over there as well.

 

Around 9 hours roughly.

 

It's been number 1 on my bucket list for several years now.

It can humble you but it is a magical place.  Let me know if you ever plan to go and I’ll share what I know.  

34 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

It can humble you but it is a magical place.  Let me know if you ever plan to go and I’ll share what I know.  

 

I appreciate that but I'll have to hire a guide.

 

I don't have a boat. Even if I did I wouldn't know where to start.

 

Maybe after a couple of guided trips I'll be able to try it on my own.

 

The boat should HOPEFULLY be purchased next year.   

Reach out if you do.  I know the best guide on the lake bar none. 

There's plenty within a half hour, and many more than that within a couple hours.

2 minutes ago, Further North said:

There's plenty within a half hour, and many more than that within a couple hours.

I think many of us are envious.  I know I am.

2 hours ago, OldManLure said:

I think many of us are envious.  I know I am.

Don't be - you have good reasons for living where you live.

I don't travel specifically for smallies. I do want to check out Dale Hollow though. Maps says I'm about 2 hours from it.

A couple years ago on Christmas Day I left the fireplace and walked down to my dock and caught a nice smallie, love that travel distance

17 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Reach out if you do.  I know the best guide on the lake bar none. 

 

Definitely please share here or send me a message.

 

I reached out to a couple different companies last year and one never even responded back.

 

THANKS!

2 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Definitely please share here or send me a message.

 

I reached out to a couple different companies last year and one never even responded back.

 

THANKS!

I have no problem saying it publicly, it’s Marcell Venstra and Marcells guide service.  He and his guides are the best.  

2 hours ago, TOXIC said:

I have no problem saying it publicly, it’s Marcell Venstra and Marcells guide service.  He and his guides are the best.  

 

While I have you. 

 

When do you think the best times to go are?

 

Currently, the earliest I can fish in the year is May.

 

The first four months of the year I pretty much live in my office. I only go home to sleep.

 

Thanks again!

27 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

While I have you. 

 

When do you think the best times to go are?

 

Currently, the earliest I can fish in the year is May.

 

The first four months of the year I pretty much live in my office. I only go home to sleep.

 

Thanks again!

That’s the million dollar question.😂. I’m sure others that are local can give more info but we always go the middle of May when the big girls come in to spawn.  It’s very weather dependent but we have always caught a lot of fish.  

17 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

That’s the million dollar question.😂. I’m sure others that are local can give more info but we always go the middle of May when the big girls come in to spawn.  It’s very weather dependent but we have always caught a lot of fish.  

Thank you sir.