Smallmouth Bass are common in many of the lakes in the Ely, Minnesota area. If you are coming to this area to catch smallmouth bass, you won’t be disappointed. Anglers report that the smallmouth bass fishing is incredible in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, especially during the spring or early summer and the fall.
Because many of these lakes have a horsepower limit to 10 or 25 horsepower, the fishing is definitely a lot easier if you plan a trip here when the bass are all along the shorelines. Once water temperatures warm up and many of the smallmouth bass go deeper, they will be harder to find, especially since you can’t go very fast on many of the lakes and in the boundary waters canoe area, you may be fishing on many lakes that do not even allow a motor. Don’t be discouraged that you can’t bring your fancy bass or walleye boat to target these bass because this is one of the best smallmouth bass fishing destinations in the United States. If you know what you’re doing, you should be able to catch a lot of smallmouth bass with 3 to 4 pounders being fairly common.
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.
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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.
