Smallmouth Bass

If you're looking for some exciting smallmouth bass action in central Michigan, Coleman is a great place to start. The Chippewa River, which flows near Coleman, offers excellent smallmouth habitat. Look for rocky areas, submerged logs, and current breaks – these are smallie magnets. The best time to target them here is from late spring through fall, with the pre-spawn and post-spawn periods being particularly productive. Focus on using crankbaits and tube jigs to cover water, or switch to live bait like crawfish for a more natural presentation. Be aware that the river can be shallow in some spots, so wading or using a small boat or kayak is often necessary. A local tip: access the river near the bridge on M-115; you'll find some decent wading opportunities there. The smallmouth in this area aren't known for tremendous size, but they fight hard and are plentiful.