Smallmouth Bass

Angola, Indiana, offers some surprisingly good smallmouth bass fishing in its chain of natural lakes. These glacial lakes, like Lake James and Crooked Lake, provide diverse structure, from rocky shorelines and submerged vegetation to deeper drop-offs that smallies love. The best time to target them is during the pre-spawn in late spring (May-June) when they move into shallower water to prepare for spawning. Early morning and late evening are prime times. Also, the fall months (September-October) as the water cools offer another excellent window as the fish feed heavily before winter. A local tip: try targeting the connecting channels between lakes – these areas often concentrate fish. The smallmouth in these lakes tend to be scrappy fighters, known for their aerial displays, so be sure to use appropriate tackle. Access to most lakes is available via public boat ramps, but be aware that some lakes have restrictions on boat motor size.