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Micropterus dolomieu
Family: Centrarchidae
| State | Opens | Closes | Daily Limit | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | May 9 | Late Feb 2027 | 6 | 12″ minimum |
| Wisconsin | May 2 | March 1, 2027 | 5 | 12″ minimum |
| Michigan | June 6 | Various | 5 | Catch-and-release before opener |
| North Dakota | Year-round | — | 5 | None |
| South Dakota | Year-round | — | 8 | None |
Minnesota
Opens: May 9 · Limit: 6 · Size: 12″ minimum
Wisconsin
Opens: May 2 · Limit: 5 · Size: 12″ minimum
Michigan
Opens: June 6 · Limit: 5 · Size: Catch-and-release before opener
North Dakota
Opens: Year-round · Limit: 5 · Size: None
South Dakota
Opens: Year-round · Limit: 8 · Size: None
Smallmouth bass prefer cooler, clearer water than their largemouth cousins and are strongly associated with rocky structure — gravel points, boulder fields, riprap, and bridge pilings. They thrive in environments with moderate current and high water clarity, making them a defining species of the Canadian Shield lakes in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as the clear-water rivers found throughout the Upper Midwest.
Spawning occurs in late spring when water temperatures reach 60–65°F, typically in late May through mid-June across the region. Males construct nests by fanning out circular depressions on gravel substrate in 3–8 feet of water, often near boulders or other hard structure. After spawning, males aggressively guard the nest for several weeks, striking at anything that approaches — a behavior that makes bed-fishing controversial but undeniably effective. Many states enforce catch-and-release seasons during the spawn to protect nesting fish.
Pound for pound, smallmouth bass are widely considered the hardest-fighting freshwater fish in the Upper Midwest. Their explosive topwater strikes, acrobatic leaps, and powerful runs have earned them a devoted following among sport anglers. The species has seen growing popularity in competitive bass fishing, with several major tournament trails now featuring Upper Midwest smallmouth fisheries like Mille Lacs, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Croix River.
Smallmouth are opportunistic predators feeding on crayfish, minnows, leeches, and aquatic insects. Crayfish are a primary forage source in rocky environments — anglers targeting trophy smallmouth often key on crayfish-imitating presentations like tube jigs and ned rigs in natural brown and green patterns. In rivers, smallmouth station themselves behind current breaks where food is funneled to them, making them predictable targets for wading anglers.
Spring
Smallmouth move from deep wintering areas to shallow gravel flats and rocky shorelines for the spawn. Pre-spawn fish stage on nearby points and drop-offs in 8–15 feet before committing to beds in 3–8 feet. Water temperature in the low 60s triggers the move.
Summer
Post-spawn fish transition to main-lake structure — points, shoals, and current breaks in 10–25 feet. Smallmouth become highly active and feed aggressively throughout the day. Rocky humps and windblown shorelines with crayfish are prime summer spots.
Fall
Cooling water temperatures trigger aggressive feeding as smallmouth follow baitfish toward deeper structure. Fish school up on deep rock piles, breaklines, and basin edges in 20–35 feet. Fall smallmouth fishing can produce some of the year’s largest fish.
Winter
Metabolism slows considerably, but smallmouth remain catchable through the ice. Fish hold near rocky structure in 20–40 feet. Small jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms fished with a slow, subtle presentation produce best.
NomadPath tracks bass stocking events across all five states. While smallmouth bass reproduce naturally in most waters, some lakes and reservoirs receive supplemental stockings. Enable stocking alerts to stay informed when your local waters receive new fish — stocking activity often coincides with increased feeding from resident predators keying on the fresh forage.
NomadPath notifies you the day smallmouth bass are stocked at your home lakes — so you’re there when fish are freshest.
Set Stocking Alerts — Free →Get stocking alerts for your smallmouth bass lakes
NomadPath notifies you the day smallmouth bass are stocked in any tracked water body across MN, WI, MI, ND, and SD.
Set Up Free Stocking Alerts| Date | Water Body | Count | Size | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2025 | ELIZABETH LAKE | 422 | fingerling | Wisconsin |
| Jul 1, 2025 | ROCK RIVER | 1,200 | fingerling | Wisconsin |
| Jul 1, 2025 | TICHIGAN LAKE | 1,000 | fingerling | Wisconsin |
| Jul 1, 2025 | UNNAMED UNSPECIFIED OPEN WATER T11N-R19E-S11 | 75 | fingerling | Wisconsin |
| Jul 1, 2025 | LAKE MARY | 211 | fingerling | Wisconsin |
| May 25, 2025 | Williams, Lake | 166 | Adult | North Dakota |
| Aug 13, 2024 | Williams, Lake | 8 | Adult | North Dakota |
| Jul 3, 2024 | McLeod (Ray) Reservoir | 211 | Adult | North Dakota |
| Jul 1, 2024 | TURTLE LAKE | 400 | fingerling | Wisconsin |
| Jul 1, 2024 | TICHIGAN LAKE | 1,000 | fingerling | Wisconsin |
| Jul 1, 2024 | LAUDERDALE LAKES | 4,000 | fingerling | Wisconsin |
| May 28, 2024 | Clark Lake | 55 | Adult | North Dakota |
| May 16, 2024 | Mott Watershed Dam | 24 | Adult | North Dakota |