Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass fishing near Portage, Indiana, offers a unique blend of river and nearshore Lake Michigan opportunities. The Burns Ditch and the Little Calumet River, as they flow towards the lake, hold decent populations of smallmouth, particularly around rocky areas and bridge pilings. However, the real draw is Lake Michigan itself. During the warmer months, smallmouth can be found relating to submerged structures and breakwalls close to shore. Summer and early fall are ideal times to target them. A practical tip: focus on areas with current breaks or where the bottom composition changes. Boaters can launch at the Portage Marina, providing easy access to the lake. Wading anglers can find access along some sections of the Burns Ditch. The Lake Michigan smallmouth tend to be robust and aggressive fighters, often hitting lures with considerable force. Keep an eye on lake conditions, as even nearshore areas can get rough quickly.