smallmouth bass

Dr. Lucas Nathan and Michigan Fisheries Chief Randy Claramunt present bass and goby science to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission on November 6, 2025.

Inland Waterway Bass Fishing Closure Defeated

ByDan Kimmel November 7, 2025November 7, 2025

Yesterday at the Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing, science prevailed thanks to many, many persons who took the time to write in, and especially those who showed up to speak before the Commission on Commissioner Walters’ amendment to close bass fishing on the Inland Waterway and Black Lake from May 1 until the third Saturday in June.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources employee holds a large Lake St. Clair smallmouth bass. CREDIT: MDNR

Lake St. Clair Smallmouth Bass Fishing by the Numbers

ByDan Kimmel April 4, 2025April 4, 2025

Now is the best time to be a bass angler on Lake St. Clair in at least the last 50 years according to a recent long-term MDNR fisheries research study.

External tag and sutures on Lake St. Clair smallmouth bass that is part of the new acoustic tag study.

Conservation | Fisheries Management | MI Department of Natural Resources

New Smallmouth Bass Acoustic Tag Study on Lake St. Clair

ByDan Kimmel May 7, 2024May 7, 2024

The Michigan DNR is conducting an acoustic tagging study on Lake St. Clair Smallmouth Bass to better understand their distribution through the lake and habitat use.

Wayne Carpenter and Frank Keller bass fishing Lake St. Clair 1400

Articles | Bass Fishing Guide | Lake St Clair | Tournament Strategy

The New Lake St. Clair: High Water, High Water, High Water

ByWayne Carpenter April 7, 2019August 5, 2023

It’s been just over 30 years since water levels were high like they are today, so how has the bass fishing been?

Captain Wayne Carpenter Lake St. Clair smallmouth bass

Articles | Bass Fishing Guide | Lake St Clair | Where-to Fish

Lake St. Clair Smallmouth On The Move

ByWayne Carpenter April 7, 2019August 5, 2023

For the last 16 years, my job has been to find spots on Lake St. Clair to document for smallmouth anglers. In spite of all my efforts to do so, I can unequivocally say that we are just scratching the surface on what is available in this fishery.

Bass Fishing | Fishing | MI DNR | News

Bruce Kraemer lands pending state record Michigan smallmouth bass

Byeditor September 13, 2016

Bruce Kraemer of Indian River, Michigan likes to fish the Indian River. It’s just a few hundred feet from his house so it’s convenient to fish his favorite shore fishing point.

Bass Fishing | MI DNR | News

Greg Gasiciel Lands Michigan State Record Smallmouth Bass

Byeditor October 20, 2015

Rhodes, Michigan bass tournament angler Greg Gasiciel landed the smallmouth bass of a lifetime Sunday, October 18, 2015 while fishing the Bass Anglers of the Sunrise Side Hubbard Lake Open.

David Simmons of Yamaha with a big St. Clair smallmouth bass 1400

Articles | Lake St Clair | Where-to Fish

A Day on St. Clair with Dan Kimmel

ByDavid Simmons November 30, 2014August 10, 2023

I was back in Michigan again during August 2001 for the Bassmasters and had the chance to get out on St. Clair for a day of fishing with long-time fishing buddy Dan Kimmel of Lansing.

5 hot Lake St. Clair tube baits Xtreme Bass Tackle 1400new

Articles | How-to | Lake St Clair | Xtreme Bass Tackle

Lake St. Clair Bass Fishing – Summer Style

ByWayne Carpenter August 23, 2014December 18, 2023

If fishing for smallmouth bass is your passion, summer bass fishing on Lake St. Clair and its connecting waters is the place to be. As the summer bite emerges two trends define the period

2012 MDNR Anchor Bay Lake St Clair trapnet locations map

Conservation | Fisheries Management | MI Department of Natural Resources

MDNR 2012 Anchor Bay Lake St Clair trap net survey

Byeditor May 14, 2012August 7, 2023

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lake St. Clair Fisheries Research Station will be conducting a fisheries survey in Anchor Bay, Lake St. Clair, from April 25 to May 24, 2012.

Fish Stories | glblog | GLBlog News

Things just begin to heat up at Mullett Lake (includes video)

Byeditor October 22, 2008August 12, 2023

but it’s time to go home (and back to work…)! Isn’t that how it always? I never finished my story about the 2008 fall big bass hunt – shorter in duration this year

glblog | GLBlog News

I’m jealous!

Byeditor September 28, 2008August 12, 2023

Looks like nice guy and great angler (and GLBass member) Mike Trombly is leading the boater side after day one in the Michigan BFL on the Detroit River.

Articles | How-to

Drop Shot Hooks Angler

ByAndrew Duke Buss November 13, 2006August 10, 2023

I’m not too proud of a man to admit when I’m wrong. And boy was I wrong. When I first saw a drop-shot rig, I thought the inventor must have been nuts.

Articles | Where-to Fish

Northern Michigan Big Bass Hunt 2005 2

Byeditor October 30, 2005August 10, 2023

Every year now, we get at least one day like this. Wind howling. Waves churning. Cameraguy had to leave early anyway for a golf outing he does every year.

Articles | Where-to Fish

Northern Michigan Big Bass Hunt 2005

Byeditor October 30, 2005December 17, 2023

After only a 1-day delay this year (much better than last year), we were finally off on our annual fall northern fishing and camping trophy bass hunt.

Articles | Tournament Strategy

Houghton Lake Top Bass 2005 Tournament Report 2

Byeditor June 6, 2005August 10, 2023

I was pleasantly shocked the next morning when I was called off as boat number 2. Larry was boat number 3. That doesn’t normally happen and boosted my confidence. The guys at Top Bass did their best to get us out quickly since we could see boats coming across the lake from the other tournaments as we launched.

Articles | Tournament Strategy

Houghton Lake Top Bass 2005 Tournament Report

Byeditor June 6, 2005August 10, 2023

My good friends and regular fishing partners Derek Baetz and Larry Dekker talked me into giving the Top Bass circuit a try this year. Top Bass has an interesting format in that you fish by yourself – so everyone is a guaranteed boater.

Archives | Articles

My 2004 Tournament & Fishing Season Recap

Byeditor December 9, 2004August 10, 2023

2004 has been an interesting year for me. Overall, I went fishing far less than I have the past 10 or 15 years. I had slow days like everyone, but some good ones too though when I did get out.