Smallmouth Bass

Finding smallmouth bass in Big Lake, Missouri, presents a unique challenge. While largemouth thrive in the lake's weedy and timber-filled environment, smallmouth prefer clearer, rockier habitats. The Missouri River system *could* potentially hold some smallmouth, especially in areas with riprap or rocky banks, but they wouldn't be as prevalent as largemouth. If you're determined to target smallmouth near Big Lake, focus your efforts on the Missouri River itself, particularly areas with current and rocky structure. Small crankbaits and tube jigs are good choices. Be prepared to cover a lot of water. A local tip: pay attention to water clarity. Smallmouth prefer clearer water, so look for areas where the river is less turbid. Realistically, anglers dedicated to smallmouth would be better served heading to the Ozark streams or other known smallmouth fisheries in the state.