Smallmouth Bass

While Medicine Lake is better known for its largemouth, savvy anglers know it also holds a population of smallmouth bass. These bronzebacks tend to hang out in different areas than the largemouth, favoring the rocky points, deeper drop-offs, and areas with current. Focus your efforts on the western and northern shorelines, where there's more rock and less vegetation. Early spring, before the weed growth gets too thick, and late fall, when the water cools down, are excellent times to target smallmouth. A key tip for Medicine Lake smallmouth is to use your electronics to locate submerged rock piles and humps. These areas often hold schools of smallmouth, especially during the summer months. Also, be prepared to downsize your presentation if the fish are finicky. Lighter line and smaller lures can often make the difference. The smallmouth in Medicine Lake aren't as numerous as the largemouth, but they tend to be quality fish, often in the 2-4 pound range.