Largemouth Bass

Southwest Michigan offers fantastic largemouth bass fishing, and Stevensville is a great base to explore the region's diverse waters. Focus your efforts on the St. Joseph River and its connected backwaters. These areas offer excellent habitat with plenty of submerged timber, weed beds, and docks. Lake Michigan tributaries near Stevensville, like the Galien River, also hold bass, especially during warmer months. The best time for bass is late spring (May-June) after the spawn, and again in the fall (September-October) as they feed heavily before winter. Look for shallow, weedy areas early and late in the day, and deeper structure during midday. A local tip: the DNR access point at Lake Street in Bridgman provides excellent access to the Galien River. Remember that water clarity can change quickly after rain, so be prepared to adjust your lure selection accordingly. The bass in this area are known for being aggressive, so don't be afraid to throw topwater lures or spinnerbaits.