Small Mouth Bass is one of the most enjoyable species you can pursue while fishing Lake of the Woods. These feisty fish line the shoreline while in their pre-spawn mode and the "smallies" aggressive behavior offers unlimited excitement. When the water temperature hits 68 degrees, the time is right to fish for Small Mouth Bass.

Light spinning gear - 8 pound test casting crank baits like Shaddrap's Crawdad SR5 - is an excellent choice. Spinner baits, single or double, in chartreuse or white seem to be the best colors for Small Mouth Bass fishing. Jigs with a plastic tail are the third type of very effective Small Mouth Bass baits.

A competent fly fisherman will outfish a spin-casting fisherman most of the time. The best choice is a popper/chugger...something that will make noise on the surface of the water.

Smallies remain totally under-fished. The population of Small Mouth Bass is excellent and very few fisherman go after them. They are strictly catch-and-release until the first of July.