Georgian Bay supports a healthy smallmouth bass fishery. The parts of the bay with all the islands, smaller bays, rocky points and rock humps and reefs are where you will be finding the smallmouth bass here. You can find some open water fish too, but for the most part, the smallmouth bass are going to be where you find the rocks that have access to shallow water as well as deep water.
The bay has a lot of bass and plenty of big fish are caught here too. There are plenty of awesome spots that will hold smallmouth bass from spring through fall here, however, the spring and early summer fishing is tough to beat. If you fish it hard, you will see some bass in the 4 to 5 pound range with bigger fish possible too.
Algoma Mills & Blind River
Algoma Mills and Blind River are two smaller towns on the north shore of Georgian Bay. There aren’t a ton of places to stay here, but there are enough places to accommodate you if you want to visit this part of the bay. You have a lot of options here with some good inland lakes to fish, easy access to deeper water out in the bay and more protected waters to fish around the many islands here too. You can catch just about everything in this area with salmon and trout farther out in the bay, walleye, northern pike, muskie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish around the numerous bays and islands.
Bayfield Inlet
Bayfield Inlet gives you access to some awesome fishing spots around so many islands, in bays, in channels, around rocks and weeds for a variety of fish. Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish in this part of the bay. There aren’t a ton of businesses here, but there is enough for you to experience an awesome fishing vacation. It is one of the better parts of the bay to fish.
Franklin Island Area
The Franklin Island area is a very large area to fish. There are some smaller towns in this area that give you access to the excellent fishing here. Brooks Landing, Dillon, Wawanaisa, Snug Harbor and Snug Haven will give you quick access to the area’s waters. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, walleye and panfish in the area waters.
French River
The French River system is home to some incredible fishing. Many anglers come here to target the walleye, bass or huge muskie. You can find pretty much everything in here. To go along with walleye and muskie, you will also find northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, perch, sturgeon, catfish and sunfish too. Many anglers come here just to fish the French River, but for the anglers who are coming to fish Lake Nipissing, it’s always nice to have the river as an option when you get windy days.
Honey Harbour
On the southeastern shores of Georgian Bay, just off Highway 400, lies Honey Harbour. This is a busy port community during the summer months. Honey Harbour gives you access to the 30,000 islands region. You will see plenty of boaters here, but there are so many good fishing spots to fish that you should be able to find some spots to have all to yourself. This area has so many bays and islands to fish here that you can easily find a place to fish even on windy days. Anglers catch northern pike, walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish too. Good numbers of fish are available with trophy fish too.
Killarney
Located on Georgian Bay at the entrance to the famous North Channel, Killarney is part of a world renowned cruising and sailing destination. The Killarney Provincial Park is here and the park draws outdoor enthusiasts from all over. For anglers, there is some excellent fishing in this area. With a lot of protected water, you can find plenty of places to fish even if the wind picks up. Killarney Bay and the area waters are home to some excellent northern pike and smallmouth bass fishing. Walleye, muskie, largemouth bass and panfish are here too.
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island is a huge island in Georgian Bay that is made up of a bunch of small communities. If you enjoy the outdoors and being around water, you would enjoy some time on Manitoulin Island. The fishing is very good around the island and you have a lot of options as far as accommodations go.
Anglers can fish the lakes on the island, along the shorelines of the island or out around the island in a boat. Lake Manitou and Lake Kagawong get a lot of attention inland. Along the shorelines and out in the boat around the island, anglers catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, lake trout, rainbow trout, salmon, northern pike, muskie and perch.
Midland
The town of Midland is located on the southern shore of Georgian Bay, just a 90 minute drive from Toronto. Overlooking Severn Sound, the area is part of the 30,000 islands. The bay here has a lot of good weed growth and it attracts lots of northern pike. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are caught in the bay as well. You have access to many other bays and islands to fish just a short boat ride away from Midland where you can target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskie and more.
Parry Sound Region
The Parry Sound Region is one of the best destinations on the Georgian Bay for anglers. There is so many others things to do here besides fishing, so it’s an awesome vacation destination for the entire family. If you enjoy fishing, this area is just flat out awesome. You have plenty of places to fish in protected waters, so even if the wind blows, you can find a place to fish. Anglers catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, lake trout and more in this part of the bay.
Other Area Lakes
There are also so many other awesome places to fish in the many lakes in this area. Most of them have very good fishing for largemouth bass and northern pike. Some lakes will have smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout and panfish too.
Penetanguishene
Located on the southern shores of Georgian Bay, Penetanguishene is a part of the magnificent 30,000 island region. The long bay is not too far from all the islands that offer such excellent fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, walleye and more. Closer to Penetanguishene, anglers catch a lot of northern pike and bass in the bay.
Pointe Au Baril
This part of Georgian Bay is very protected, so you can fish here with a smaller boat on most days and be just fine. With a bigger boat, you have a lot more options here. Fish the long channels, numerous bays and islands and you really don’t have to venture all the way out to the open waters of the bay to catch fish. Stay in the protected waters and fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish.
Spanish
Spanish is a small town on the north end of Georgian Bay. The town has a good location for those who want to fish this part of the lake. You have the mouth of the Spanish River and the bay here and it is just a short boat ride to so many islands and bays and you can find a lot of good spots to fish on windy days too. There are a couple of resorts here and a marina. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish.
Whitefish Falls / Birch Island
The towns of Whitefish Falls & Birch Island give anglers quick access to one of the most protected areas of the lake. You are close to so many good fishing spots just a short boat ride away. It is one of the better areas of the lake to come with a smaller boat as well, however, a bigger boat will give you a lot more options if you want to hit more productive spots. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish.
Best Baits for Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass will eat a variety of different baits. Minnows, nightcrawlers and leeches are definitely the best live baits for smallmouth bass.
When it comes to artificial lures, you have lots of options. Soft plastic crayfish, twin tail grubs, worms and minnow baits are very effective. Hard baits such as crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinners also work great.
Learn More
Live Baits for Smallmouth Bass
Best Rigs for Smallmouth Bass
With so many different soft plastics to use, you have so many different rigs that work great for smallmouth bass. The drop shot rig, a simple jighead, standup jigheads and scrounger jigheads are some of the best rigs for smallmouth bass. To see our full list, take a look at our best rigs for smallmouth bass page.
Best Techniques for Smallmouth Bass
There are so many different techniques you can use for smallmouth bass since they can be found shallow, deep and anywhere in between. Anglers usually cast for them, but jigging, drop shotting and drifting are also some great techniques for smallmouth bass.
To learn more, take a look at our best techniques for smallmouth bass page.
Learn More About Smallmouth Bass
Our smallmouth bass fishing section has tons of tips on the best lures, live baits, where to catch them and how to catch them.
Visit our smallmouth bass fishing website to learn more.
