Destinations
Illinois
Middle Fork Vermilion River
This stream is Illinois' ONLY national scenic river.
It boasts numerous cliffs and bluff walls that are
rarely seen in much of the state. A majority of the river runs through either county or state park lands, which allows anglers to truly escape from urban settings and enjoy the wildlife it has to offer.
Smallmouth bass populate the entire river, and while fish over 20" are uncommon, there are fish in the 18-20" range that can be caught. This stream is primarily a numbers trip but there is still potential for a couple big ones, especially early in the year (April - May).
Wisconsin
Northeast Wisconsin, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Menominee River area
The northeast portion of Wisconsin offers numerous rivers to chase trophy smallmouth bass. The Menominee River is a well known stream that consistently produces great smallmouth fishing.
This, however, is just one of multiple rivers that offer great fishing in the area. Depending on the conditions, we can pivot to two other rivers that hold fish from Lake Michigan and resident bruiser river smallies.
If you're interested in catching both smallmouth and river musky, there are opportunities in north central Wisconsin for float trips on truly beautiful streams that hold quality fish of both species.
Minnesota
Western MN
While this special stream's name can't be publicized, rest assured that this destination trip is worth it. Under normal conditions, multiple stretches of this river system will give up nearly 100" of river smallmouth (best 5) in just one day. It is a truly special body of water that has become the focus of a yearly pilgrammage for the last 5 years.
The best time to hit this body of water is after the spawn has concluded and the fish are feeding heavily again. This tends to fall around the beginning of July under normal conditions. Early fall (Aug-Sept) can also be great times to experience some world class smallmouth fishing.
The Mississippi River around Clearwater, MN is another great option if you're looking for a big water experience.
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