Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing:
Fishin Line Magazine this year said "Shoal Lake has the best fishing on the Northwest Region with schools of smallmouth bass that have never seen a lure".
75,000 acres of clean clear water with countless miles of shoreline and hundreds of islands and even more rock shoals are the perfect bass mix.
30 to 50fish days are common with 100 fish days possible. A good mix of small to large fish with the majority in the 2 to 3 pound class. The main forage for the smallmouth bass here on Shoal Lake are crayfish, smelts and minnows.
Starting in May when water reaches the mid 40? F range fish begin to move shallow. Bass begin to build nests when water reaches about 55?? F in 2 to 10 feet of water. Spawning occurs at approximately 57? F to 65? F. Male Bass guard the nests then the females move on. In summer fish hang out on rock piles and points. Once fall arrives and the water cools fish slowly move deeper so expect to have to fish 15' - 20?' deep or more to catch good numbers of fat, large Bass.
