Expert Smallmouth Bass Fishing Guide
Experience professional smallmouth bass fishing guide trips in the Brainerd Lakes area and Central Minnesota with Captain Nick Retka of The Fish Guyd Guide Service. With deep knowledge of smallmouth bass biology, seasonal bass movements, and proven fishing techniques, Captain Nick consistently helps anglers catch bass throughout the year. Many trips take place on top regional fisheries including Gull Lake, Pelican Lake, the Whitefish Chain, Mississippi River, and Mille Lacs Lake. This guide explains where smallmouth bass move each season, the water temperatures that trigger feeding activity, and the tactics used to consistently catch them in the Brainerd Lakes region.
Biology
Understanding the species of fish you are targeting on a scientific level will aid in quickle locating walleyes as well as selecting the proper lure and presentation!
Tactics
Tactics can be one of the most confusing as well as important pieces of the puzzle to catching fish!
With So many options in lure selection, colors, weights, live bait selection, and retirieve styles, Here at The Fish Guyd Guide Service we are here to help!
Seasonal Patterns
As seasons and water temperatures change, so do the fish. Knowing What they are doing and Why during every season is a major key to successfully putting fish in the boat on a regular basis!
Smallmouth Bass Biology
Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) are one of the most popular sportfish in North America and are commonly found in clear lakes, rivers, and rocky reservoirs throughout Minnesota and the northern United States. Known for their bronze coloration, powerful fights, and aggressive feeding behavior, smallmouth bass are highly adaptable predators that thrive in cool, well-oxygenated water with rocky or gravel substrate. Their diet primarily consists of crayfish, minnows, perch, insects, and other small fish, which makes rocky structure and areas with abundant forage key habitats. Smallmouth bass spawn in late spring when water temperatures reach approximately 60–65°F, typically building nests on gravel or sand bottoms in shallow water near rock structure. After spawning, bass transition toward nearby feeding areas such as rock reefs, points, mid-lake humps, and drop-offs, where they remain closely tied to baitfish and crayfish populations throughout the summer. As water temperatures cool during the fall, smallmouth bass often feed aggressively along rocky shorelines and structure before eventually moving into deeper wintering areas such as basin edges and steep breaklines. Understanding smallmouth bass biology and seasonal behavior allows anglers to predict their movements and apply effective fishing techniques throughout the year.
where to catch Smallmouth Bass each month (complete seasonal guide)
May Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 50–60°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
In May, smallmouth bass move toward shallow rocky areas, gravel flats, and protected bays as they prepare for spawning. Fish often stage along rocky points, shoreline breaks, and sand-to-rock transitions before moving onto spawning beds.
Best Techniques:
Tubes dragged along rocky bottom
Ned rigs on gravel flats
Jerkbaits worked over shallow rock
Guide Tip:
Smallmouth bass often stage along rocky points near spawning flats, especially when warming trends raise water temperatures.
June Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 60–70°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
June typically marks the spawning period for smallmouth bass in northern lakes. Fish are commonly found on gravel beds, sand flats, and rocky shorelines in shallow water, often in depths of 3–10 feet.
Best Techniques:
Tubes and soft plastics near spawning beds
Drop shot rigs along shallow structure
Topwater baits during calm mornings
Guide Tip:
After spawning, bass move to nearby rock structure and begin feeding aggressively.
July Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 70–75°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
During mid-summer, smallmouth bass move toward offshore structure such as rock reefs, mid-lake humps, and deeper points. Fish commonly hold in 10–25 feet of water near baitfish and crayfish habitat.
Best Techniques:
Drop shot rigs over rock structure
Football jigs along rocky humps
Deep diving crankbaits
Guide Tip:
Look for rocky structure near deeper water, which often holds the largest summer bass.
August Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 72–78°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
In late summer, smallmouth bass often relate to deep rock structure and offshore humps where cooler water and baitfish are present.
Best Techniques:
Drop shot rigs for suspended fish
Jigging soft plastics on deep structure
Deep crankbaits
Guide Tip:
Electronics are extremely helpful in August because smallmouth bass often school tightly around specific pieces of structure.
September Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 60–68°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
Cooling temperatures trigger increased feeding activity as bass prepare for winter. Fish move toward rock reefs, points, and shoreline structure.
Best Techniques:
Spinnerbaits along rocky shorelines
Crankbaits over reefs
Tubes dragged along bottom
Guide Tip:
Wind-blown shorelines often concentrate baitfish and create excellent smallmouth feeding zones.
October Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 50–60°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
During fall, smallmouth bass often move shallow to feed heavily. Fish are commonly found along rocky shorelines, shallow reefs, and gravel points.
Best Techniques:
Jerkbaits
Tubes and football jigs
Crankbaits along rocky structure
Guide Tip:
Fall bass often chase baitfish aggressively, making moving baits extremely effective.
November Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 40–50°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
As water temperatures drop, smallmouth bass move toward deeper wintering areas such as steep breaklines, basin edges, and deeper rock structure.
Best Techniques:
Blade baits
Hair jigs
Vertical jigging presentations
Guide Tip:
Slow presentations near bottom are often required as bass metabolism decreases.
December Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 32–36°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
Under early ice, smallmouth bass often hold near deep rock structure and basin edges, where they remain relatively inactive.
Best Techniques:
Small jigging spoons
Subtle finesse presentations
Guide Tip:
Bass activity windows are often short but can occur during midday warming periods.
January Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 32–34°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
During mid-winter, smallmouth bass typically hold in deep wintering holes and basin edges, remaining close to bottom.
Best Techniques:
Small jigging spoons
Dead-stick presentations
Guide Tip:
Smallmouth bass often group tightly in winter, so finding one fish may mean more are nearby.
February Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 33–36°F
Where Smallmouth Bass Are:
Late winter bass begin slowly transitioning toward areas near spawning habitat, though most fish remain near deep wintering structure until ice-out.
Best Techniques:
Subtle jigging spoons
Small soft plastics
Guide Tip:
Patience and precise presentation are key when targeting smallmouth bass during late winter.
Trophy Smallmouth Bass Caught on our Charters
We cover a large area in Central Minnesota, if you have any questions about a certain lake or a certain species of fish don’t hesitate to call. We are very accommodating and can come up with a plan to make any sort of trip work. If you need multiple boats we are also able to get more guides to handle larger group trips! Our goal is to make your fishing trip easy, comfortable, and full of fish catching excitement!