Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing near Rockwood, Michigan, centers around the Detroit River and its confluence with Lake Erie. While largemouth dominate the weedy areas, smallmouth prefer the rockier structures and current. Look for them around docks, bridge pilings, and rocky shorelines, especially near Fighting Island and Grosse Ile. The best time to target smallmouth is typically late spring through early fall, with the pre-spawn period in May and June being particularly productive. When the mayflies are hatching, smallmouth will be keyed in on eating them. A local tip is to use drop-shot rigs with crayfish imitations or tubes along the bottom. The Detroit River can have strong currents, so use heavier weights to maintain contact with the bottom. The smallmouth in this area are known for their fight, and you can expect to find some real trophies exceeding 4 pounds.