Late fall smallmouth push toward river mouths and hard structure

We do not have any fresh reports from the water this week. November gales usually keep a lot of boats on the trailer this time of year, so current information is thin. Based on the typical late fall progression, the water is getting cold and the remaining anglers are focused on finding giant smallmouth before the season wraps up.

Right now, smallmouth concentrate heavily on hard structure and current breaks. The areas near the river mouths, particularly around the St. Clair River delta, the Clinton River, and the Thames River, are the primary targets. The fish are feeding up on gobies and shiners before the ice sets in.

When you can get out between the wind events, you want to keep your presentation near the bottom or mimicking dying baitfish with swimbaits, blade baits, and tubes. If the wind allows you to launch this weekend, focus on the current seams near the river mouths with a blade bait or a tube. Keep your boat control tight and fish the hard bottom areas methodically.