Smallmouth Bass

The Allegheny River near Sugarcreek, PA offers some decent smallmouth bass fishing. The key is targeting rocky areas, riffles, and deeper pools. Smallies thrive in the river's current. The best time to target them is late spring through fall, when the water warms up. Late summer and early fall can be particularly productive as the fish feed heavily before winter. Access is readily available via several boat launches along the river, as well as from the Allegheny River Trail. When fishing the Allegheny for smallmouth, consider using tubes, crankbaits, or spinnerbaits in natural colors to mimic the local forage. A local tactic is to drift these lures along the bottom in areas with current. The smallmouth population here is generally healthy, with some fish reaching impressive sizes. Be prepared for a good fight, as these river smallies are known for their strength and aggression.