Smallmouth Bass

Gaines, Michigan, offers some surprisingly good smallmouth bass fishing if you know where to look. While the Flint River itself, which runs nearby, isn't known as a smallie hotspot, focusing on the Shiawassee River and its tributaries will increase your odds. The Shiawassee, particularly stretches with rocky bottoms and submerged wood, provides excellent habitat. Spring, just after the spawn, and late summer into early fall are prime times to target them. Look for smallmouth holding in deeper pools during the warmer months. A local tip: Access to the Shiawassee can be tricky, so scout out public access points along Seymour Road or near the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Wading is often necessary, so wear appropriate footwear. The smallmouth in this area aren't giants, averaging 1-3 pounds, but they fight hard and are plentiful. They readily take crayfish imitations, tubes, and spinnerbaits.