Small-Mouth Fishing in Northern Ohio
- The smallmouth bass that live in Northern Ohio are most commonly found in creeks and rivers with gravelly bottoms, and in reservoirs with steep drop-offs and rocky shorelines. Smallmouths thrive in clear water and adapt easily to current, but are rarely found in small lakes and ponds with soft bottoms and abundant vegetation. Smallmouths spawn on shallow flats in May and early June when water temperatures are about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range of the smallmouth bass is from 58 to 72 degrees, slightly cooler than that of the largemouth. Many of the fish's seasonal movements are based on water temperatures.
- Smallmouths are tough to catch in winter, as they become highly inactive in the extreme cold, but these fish are catchable throughout the rest of the year. As water temperatures move into the 50s in spring, smallmouths gradually move shallow to feed and begin looking for spawning sites. The pre-spawn period is when many anglers catch their biggest bass of the year, but the greatest numbers of bass are caught after the spawn, when smallmouths group around structure and feed heavily. In summer, look for fish off points and drop-offs and follow Rocky and gravelly structure deeper until you find the right depth. In creeks, try runs and where riffles and pools meet, or cast to individual rocks and eddies. In fall, bass location is tied to baitfish, and smallmouths may be found in shallow to moderate depths.
- Crayfish and baitfish are the main food source for smallmouth bass, although insects and invertebrates also play a significant role. Live minnows, crayfish and nightcrawlers fished near bottom around rocks will almost always catch fish. In the artificial bait department, tube jigs are a classic smallmouth bait. Dark-colored tubes can be hopped and crawled to imitate crayfish, while lighter-colored tubes can be swum to imitate baitfish. Spinners, topwater minnows (especially in the morning and evening), jig n' pigs, and soft Senko-style stick baits are all top smallmouth producers. When the fishing is tough, slow down and stick to subtle presentations, but pick things up when the fishing is hot.
- Auglaze River, Sandusky River, Maumee River, Little Beaver Creek, and Cuyahoga River are all among the top smallmouth waters in Northern Ohio, and offer a shot at catching good numbers of big fish.In addition, Lake Erie is a tremendous fishing resource. Routinely listed as one of the best smallmouth lakes in the world, Erie has a number of great smallmouth spots along the Ohio shoreline. Try at Ruggles Beach between Huron and Vermilion, or in the waters around Lorain Harbor and Avon Point. Sandusky Bay, the Bass Islands, Cleveland artificial reeks, the nuclear power plant water discharge off Perry Point and the nearby breakwall off Geneva State Park all have potential.
- There is a combined-species daily limit of 5 for black bass in Ohio; this appliers to smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass. There are generally no seasonal restrictions, and length limits vary by water. Lake Erie and its tributaries have their own set of regulations, and a complete guide can be found on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' website. Fishing licenses are required to fish anywhere in Ohio, and can be purchased at bait shops and other retailers throughout the state.
