Nestor Falls Smallmouth Bass Fishing


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This area has a lot of smallmouth bass in the 2 to 3 pound range with big fish up to 5 pounds.  Time it right in the spring and you can catch smallmouth bass all over the shorelines.  In summer and fall, fish the deeper drop-offs and make sure to check out some of the reefs in deeper water.  You should be able to find plenty of areas to fish and catch a lot of smallmouth bass if you know what you’re doing.


Catch Lots of Smallmouth Bass


This part of Lake of the Woods is a good lake to fish for smallmouth bass.  Anglers that target them will usually catch a lot of them from spring through fall.  It’s a far boat ride out to the main lake though, so that makes it a little tougher if you want to target the larger schools of bass that are found on the main lake in the summer time.


Catch Big Smallmouth Bass


There are plenty of big smallmouth bass in this part of the lake.  If you target smallmouth bass, you will most likely run into some bass in the 3 to 4 pound range on your trip.


Fishing the Bays


You have lots of bays to fish and the smallmouth bass will move into the bays to spawn in the spring.  You can usually find a lot of smallmouth bass in the smaller bays until summer patterns set in.  Then, the larger bays with deeper water will hold more fish.  When the bass are in the bays, you can easily bounce from bay to bay and target smallmouth bass from sunrise to sunset.


Fishing the Drop-offs


This part of the lake offers a lot of good shallow water spots near drop-offs.  Fish these drop-offs near the points, along the shorelines, around the islands and off the reefs and you’ll find smallmouth bass from summer through fall.


Fishing the Points


There are tons of points here, so if you want to go point to point to find active bass, you can easily fish this pattern and have enough spots to last you all day long.  From spring through fall, you will find smallmouth bass relating to the points.  In the summer and fall, the points with deeper water nearby will usually be more productive.


Fishing the Islands


There are so many islands that this is another pattern you could fish and never run out of new spots to fish.  Most of the islands will have plenty of rocks and they will hold smallmouth bass.  The islands with some nicer drop-offs will almost always be the better islands for finding quality fish.


Fishing the Reefs


You have enough reefs to keep you busy here as well.  Target the offshore structures in summer and fall and you’ll have more success.


Fishing the Rocks


You have rocks everywhere, so plan on having plenty of spots to fish that will hold plenty of smallmouth bass.


Fishing the Weeds


The weeds won’t be the better pattern for smallmouth bass, however, if you can find some vegetation with some good rocks along the bottom, these spots will usually hold some quality bass.


Best Baits for Smallmouth Bass


Smallmouth bass will eat a variety of different baits.  Minnowsnightcrawlers and leeches are definitely the best live baits for smallmouth bass.

When it comes to artificial lures, you have lots of options.  Soft plastic crayfishtwin tail grubsworms and minnow baits are very effective.  Hard baits such as  crankbaitsjerkbaits and spinners also work great.

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Live Baits for Smallmouth Bass

Lures 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 jigheadstandup 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 jiggingdrop 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.