Milwaukee Harbor - Smallmouth Bass

Question
Marc,

Great Walleye - and even better that it was released. You mentioned "a lot of work for just a few fish". What about Smallmouth Bass? Is there a fishable population. I don't need consistent action. 2 or 3 fish would be a successful outing for me.

Thanks!

Pat

Answer
Hi Pat,

Yes, there is definitely a very fishable Bass population.  

It doesn't get good till about Memorial day, but I have caught some of my biggest ones in April while fishing for Browns.  This past summer wasn't good at all.  We had cold water near shore almost all summer.  We had Lakers in the harbor in August!!! Never saw that before.

The best Bass action is usually June, July, August and half of September.  Whenever the water temps get to 60, the Bass action is on.  Any of the harbored areas, the Lakeshore State Park Pond, and anywhere you can find rocks or vertical seawall.  

It's a goby bite in the summer.  Jigs, tubes, and things like that fished along the bottom really work well.  Jigging spoons also do well as do the regulars like small crankbaits, rattle baits, spinners, and stuff like that.  But day in day out, jigs fished along the bottom will outproduce most other tactics.  Live leeches under a slip float are good too, but I do better when I keep moving.  

Yes, two or three fish would probably be a good morning.  Not only because they aren't just everywhere, but they are super spooky.  You will see schools of them cruising but they are tough to catch when the water gets clear.  Use a 6# clear line.

They have been a great diversion for me when the water gets warm and the trout move out.  One of the biggest ones I ever saw caught in the harbor was by a kid casting a big orange and gold Cleo for salmon in October.  It was probably a 20-21 incher.  Unfortunately, I think he kept it.

Good Fishing,

Marc