Habits

• Smallmouth bass in northern Ohio thrive in creeks and rivers, as well as larger lakes and reservoirs with lots of rocky habitat. Ohio smallies spawn in May and June, with water temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. But by July in northern Ohio, shallow water can reach temperatures in the 80s, and smallmouths will have for the most part left the shallows in favor of deeper structure. The exception is in streams, where water does not heat up in summer to the extent that it does in lakes. Smallies at this time often gather in schools (this is especially true on Lake Erie) although in smaller streams bass will more likely be found individually or in small groups.
  
  

Location

• In lakes and reservoirs, July usually finds smallmouth bass around reefs, rockpiles, drop-offs, points, and occasionally suspended in open water. Depths during mid-day can vary from 10 to 30 feet depending on water temperature, food sources, and the availability of suitable habitat. Smallmouths may sometimes be shallower in early morning and late evening. Creek and river-dwelling smallmouths in Ohio can be found in deep pools, along rocky shorelines, and places where fast water empties into slower water. By July, most streams in northern Ohio are at their lowest point of the year, so look for smallmouths in areas where relatively deep water (at least 4 feet in most mid-sized rivers) is available even at low flow.
  
  

Tactics

• Smallmouths feed extensively on crayfish in July and throughout the warmer months, but can also be found in pursuit of baitfish, so lures that imitate either of these can catch bass. Jigs, soft plastics and crankbaits are great summer lures for smallmouths in Ohio, and are best used in the areas listed above. Dark, natural colors often work best, though white can also be effective. Perch-imitating colors work well on Lake Erie. Live bait is also a good option, and smallies readily hit on minnows, worms, crayfish, and leeches when fished near bottom on a drop-shot rig or suspended under a bobber.
  
  

Destinations

• Top places to catch smallmouth bass in northern Ohio include Auglaze River, Sandusky River, Maumee River, Little Beaver Creek, Cuyahoga River, and Lake Erie, which is widely considered to be among the finest smallmouth bass fisheries in the world. On Lake Erie, Ruggles Beach between Huron and Vermilion is a good area to try, as are the waters around Lorain Harbor and Avon Point. Also try the nuclear power plant water discharge off Perry Point and the nearby breakwall off Geneva State Park.
  
  

Regulations

• Smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass are grouped together under Ohio's regulations, and there is a combined species daily limit of five fish. There are no seasonal or size restrictions in most inland waters, but some specific waters in addition to Lake Erie and its tributaries have different rules and regulations, which can be found on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' website. A fishing license is required in Ohio, and these can be purchased at most bait shops and sporting goods stores statewide.
  
  

Tips

• Round gobies are an invasive species of fish which are increasingly being found in Lake Erie and its tributaries. Gobies have become a favorite food of smallmouth bass where they are present, and goby-imitating baits like tube jigs and other soft plastics in a brown color are highly effective in these waters. Transport and use of gobies as bait is prohibited, however, to prevent the spread of this potentially disruptive species.