Smallmouth Bass

Cheboygan, Michigan, provides access to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in Northern Michigan. The Inland Waterway, a series of connected lakes and rivers, is a smallmouth haven. Burt and Mullett Lakes, both part of the Waterway, are particularly renowned for their bronzeback populations. These lakes offer a mix of rocky shorelines, sandy flats, and submerged structure that smallmouth love. The best time to target them is from late spring through fall. Look for spawning beds in the shallows during the late spring, then target deeper structure like rock piles and drop-offs as the water warms. Tube baits, crankbaits, and drop-shot rigs are all effective. Fishing can be excellent in the fall as the smallmouth actively feed before winter. One local tip: focus on areas with current, especially where rivers and streams enter the lakes. The smallmouth will often congregate in these areas to ambush prey. There are numerous public boat launches and access points along the Inland Waterway, making it easy to explore different sections of the system. Be aware of zebra mussels, which can make navigating shallow areas challenging.