Smallmouth Bass

Maplewood, Minnesota offers some surprisingly good smallmouth bass fishing close to the Twin Cities. The Ramsey County area lakes, particularly those connected to the Mississippi River watershed, hold decent populations. Battle Creek Lake and Keller Lake are good starting points. Look for rocky shorelines, submerged timber, and points where deeper water is accessible. Spring and fall are prime times, as the smallmouth are most active when water temperatures are moderate. Early morning and late evening are often productive during the summer months. A key local tip: many of these lakes have restricted motor sizes, so a smaller boat or kayak can be advantageous for accessing prime fishing spots. Pay attention to current regulations regarding catch and release, as some lakes have specific rules to protect the smallmouth population. The smallmouth here tend to be scrappy fighters, but don't expect trophy-sized fish consistently; numbers of 12-16 inchers are more common, with the occasional larger fish.