Smallmouth Bass

If you're chasing smallmouth bass around St. Clair Shores, Lake St. Clair is your playground. This expansive lake offers diverse habitat, from rocky shorelines to weedy flats, all holding smallies. The pre-spawn period in late spring is legendary, with aggressive fish moving into the shallows. Focus on areas with hard bottom and scattered vegetation. Tube baits, crankbaits, and jerkbaits are all effective. As the water warms, smallmouths often move to deeper structure, so be prepared to adjust your tactics. A local tip: pay attention to wind direction. A consistent wind can create current and concentrate fish on the windward side of the lake. Anchor Bay, on the northern end of Lake St. Clair, is a popular area, but don't overlook the canals and marinas around St. Clair Shores. These areas often hold overlooked smallmouths, especially early and late in the season.