Largemouth Bass

While New Buffalo is best known for its Lake Michigan access, don't overlook the inland freshwater opportunities for largemouth bass. Several smaller lakes and ponds dot the landscape around New Buffalo, offering a quieter alternative to the big lake. These waters provide classic bass habitat: plenty of vegetation, submerged timber, and lily pads. The warmer months, from late spring through summer, are the most productive. Target the shallows during the early morning and evening hours with topwater lures or weedless frogs. As the sun gets higher, switch to flipping jigs or Texas-rigged worms around cover. A local advantage: many of these lakes are relatively small and accessible by kayak or canoe, allowing you to reach secluded areas that larger boats can't. Be mindful of private property and respect posted signs. The bass in these waters are often opportunistic feeders, so experiment with different presentations to see what they're hitting.