Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing near Leawood, Missouri, requires a bit of a drive, but the rewards are worth it. While not found in every pond, the clear, rocky rivers south of the city, such as sections of the James River or the Meramec River (a longer drive), hold decent populations of smallmouth. These rivers offer classic smallmouth habitat: riffles, pools, and rocky structure. Spring and fall are ideal times to fish, with the pre-spawn and post-spawn periods being particularly productive. A key tip is to focus on areas with current breaks and submerged rocks. Wading is a popular method, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and check water levels before heading out. You might also consider floating sections of the river in a kayak or canoe. Smallmouth in this region tend to be scrappy fighters, and while trophy-sized fish are less common, you can find good numbers of 12-16 inch fish.