Northwest Fishing Reports

Anyone have any tips for a rookie smallmouth fisherman? I am a C & R Largemouth fishermen looking for a twist, not that I have the LM mastered. just want to put some pics in the fish book. Any help would be great.

Loo kat the reports for american lake in the reports section of this web site. Lot`s of guy`s have been fishing american lately. You`ll find what your looking for there.

I recomend using baits that mimic small fish. The lake is full of fry of several species right now, and that is what the smallies are feeding on. You can still find plenty of BIG smallies on beds. Focus on cover that is right along where the weed line starts, which is usually about 4-6 feet of water. Our best bait lately has been Berkley Gulp Alive minnows on a drop shot. But I would also suggest in the early morning, or evening running a jerk bait or lipless crank paralell to shore right in front of the weed line between docks. Good luck!

You make me want to go to American, again. To date, EPIC FAILURE! I almost went out there after work, but then I have to get up at 5:00 a.m. and that makes it not so much fun. Tomorrow, if the weather holds, or at least the wind, I may try.
Thanks for the tips. I have tried the Gulp minnows, in fact, I call them my go to bait, but, usually results in a trout that semi inhales the thing.

I was looking for general areas, I'm in a Coleman Crawdad with only a trolling motor. I don't get to cover a lot of water. Will they eat a spinnerbait, and is 3/8 oz too big?

I have a boat similar. A Basstender 11.3. One thing is that I know the water gets a little rough once the water skiers and jet skis get rolling so I would make sure that you are able to get off the water before that happens. I havent worked up the guts to get out to the big lake yet ... LOL.