Designated Smallmouth Planner

What about the lakes down south that host the BASS Masters tournaments?

bigcrappie wrote:

What about the lakes down south that host the BASS Masters tournaments?

That’s what I am getting from a lot of my buddies. What about some places closer to home? Well, to be short, I don’t want those fish! I want the Great Lakes area type smallmouth! I want the chance to catch a 5-7 lb fish. The further south you fish, the harder those are to come by.

Paul Squier wrote:

I want the Great Lakes area type smallmouth

I think you just answered your own question there. The St Lawrence River, Lake St Claire, or Lake Erie smallmouth would fill that void for you.

After a week of research, it looks like it would be rainy or vermilion if we decide to head that way. It will be a July trip. Lodging for 8-10 people? Willing to pay 6-7 hundred a person so 5-7 thousand for a place for a week. Recommendations? Must have ramps, restaurants, clean and plenty space to park 4-5 rigs. Possible guides as well? Anything is helpful, especially those who have experiences doing this type of thing.

Paul Squier wrote:

Recommendations? Must have ramps, restaurants, clean and plenty space to park 4-5 rigs. Possible guides as well?

Most of Rainy is Voyageurs National Park, so there is not a ton of resorts. Thunderbird is a solid resort with a good restaurant. Guides on Rainy I’d try and get on Chris Granrud/Chris Zahn/Rainy Daze or Ben Gilbertson’s schedule. On Vermillion there are a lot more resort options and restaurants.

Paul Squier wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bigcrappie wrote:</div>
What about the lakes down south that host the BASS Masters tournaments?

That’s what I am getting from a lot of my buddies. What about some places closer to home? Well, to be short, I don’t want those fish! I want the Great Lakes area type smallmouth! I want the chance to catch a 5-7 lb fish. The further south you fish, the harder those are to come by.

While big smallmouth of that size are certainly possible on those lakes (maybe not 7lbs), they aren’t nearly as common as great lake caliber of smallmouth. The quantity of solid sized smallmouth (3-4lbs) while in the beautiful scenery of Rainy or Vermilion will most certainly provide you with a very enjoyable trip.

I’ve never stayed on Vermillion but it has lots of resorts, a casino that I believe has its own ramp, and a state park with camper cabins. Tons of varied options for Vermillion. Rainy is a national park. Not much development relative to most MN lakes.

If you’re looking for fish in that size range the chances go up fishing the Great Lakes. Chequamegon Bay, Sturgeon Bay (Door County), Erie, St. Claire, St. Lawrence, Huron, Ontario. There’s definitely 5-7 pound smallmouth elsewhere. Mille Lacs definitely has those fish. Other than the eastern basin of Erie, St Lawrence river, most of the places should be 16.5-18 hour drive from Dallas. Good luck with your planning

I would still go with somewhere on the Great Lakes if you want 5 pounders.