Smallmouth Bass

South Haven offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing opportunities both in Lake Michigan and the Black River. The rocky structure around the piers and breakwalls provides ideal habitat for these hard-fighting fish. Summer and early fall are prime times to target smallmouth, as they become more active in the warmer water. Try using drop-shot rigs, tubes, or crankbaits around the rocky areas. For river fishing, focus on current breaks and submerged structure. A local tip: wade fishing the Black River upstream from the Dyckman Bridge can be very productive, but be mindful of private property. The smallmouth in this area tend to be aggressive, and you might even hook into the occasional steelhead. Public access is available at several parks along the river, providing ample opportunities to explore.