Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing near Creswell, Oregon, centers around the Coast Fork Willamette River. Unlike largemouth, smallmouth prefer areas with moving water and rocky bottoms. Focus your efforts on stretches of the river with riffles, runs, and deeper pools. The warmer months, from late spring through early fall, are prime time for smallmouth. They are aggressive feeders, so lures like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and tube jigs can be very effective. A local tip: Pay attention to water clarity. If the river is murky, opt for brighter colored lures to help the fish locate your bait. Consider wading in the shallower sections or fishing from a boat to cover more water. The smallmouth here aren't known for their size, but they are plentiful and provide a good fight on light tackle. Public access points along the Coast Fork Willamette River allow for both bank and boat fishing.