Largemouth Bass

Kaleva, Michigan, offers some surprisingly good largemouth bass fishing in its inland lakes and rivers. The Manistee River, which flows nearby, holds bass in its slower sections and backwaters. However, the smaller lakes dotting the landscape are often the real hotspots. Look for structure like fallen logs, weed beds, and docks – these are largemouth magnets. Spring is prime time, as the bass move into the shallows to spawn. Early morning and late evening are your best bets during the summer months. A local tip: try using weedless soft plastics or topwater lures around the heavy vegetation. Many of these lakes are accessible from small public access points or roadside easements, but be respectful of private property. The bass in these smaller waters can be quite aggressive, but also pressured, so vary your presentation and don't be afraid to experiment.