Smallmouth Bass

While East Prairie isn't typically known as a smallmouth bass hotspot, anglers can find them in the clearer, faster-flowing sections of some of the smaller tributaries that feed into the Mississippi River in this area. These fish aren't as abundant as largemouth, but they can offer a unique challenge. Spring and fall are generally the best times to target them, when water temperatures are moderate. Look for rocky areas, current breaks, and submerged timber. A productive local tactic is to use small crankbaits or spinnerbaits, retrieving them upstream. Pay close attention to water clarity; smallmouth prefer cleaner water than largemouth, so target areas accordingly. Given their relative scarcity here, practicing catch and release is highly encouraged to help maintain the population.