Species
Smallmouth Bass
On record in 113 waters across 6 states
Smallmouth bass fight harder pound-for-pound than almost any freshwater fish, and they favor cleaner, rockier water than their largemouth cousins — clear lakes, rocky reservoirs, and moving rivers with current. A smallmouth on a river, jumping and running against current, is one of the better fights available in freshwater fishing.
Smallmouth Bass are on record in 113 waters across 6 states, most heavily in Washington, Indiana, Utah, Illinois and Wisconsin. FishableWaters tracks every smallmouth bass stocking from state agency reports — use the state links and most-stocked list below to find waters near you.
By state
- Washington56 waters
- Indiana27 waters
- Utah18 waters
- Illinois6 waters
- Wisconsin4 waters
- North Dakota2 waters
Most-stocked waters
- Powerton Cooling LakeIL15×
- White RiverIN8×
- Pierce LakeIL4×
- Laughery CreekIN3×
- Yellow RiverIN3×
- Big Turkey LakeIN3×
- Hurshtown ReservoirIN3×
- Lake WilliamsND2×
- Greenwood LakeIN2×
- Eagle Creek ReservoirIN2×
- Stayner LakeIN2×
- Tippecanoe RiverIN2×
- Mississinewa RiverIN1×
- Lauramie CreekIN1×
- J C Murphey LakeIN1×
How to catch them
Smallmouth relate heavily to rock, current breaks, and gravel bars, so target those features over vegetation. In rivers, working lures with and across current, rather than straight upstream or downstream, keeps baits in the strike zone longer.
Tube jigs and soft plastic craws worked slowly along rock bottom are smallmouth staples. Ned rigs, small crankbaits, and inline spinners all produce, and in rivers, live crawfish or hellgrammites are hard to beat.
Know your fish
Bronze to brown coloration with vertical dark bars along the flank rather than a horizontal stripe, and a smaller mouth that doesn't extend past the eye. Smallmouth also tend to have a more streamlined, muscular build than largemouth.
Late spring through early fall is the core window, with smallmouth most aggressive as water temperatures climb into the upper 60s. Fall feeding before winter is another strong window, often overlooked in favor of bass fishing's more popular spring season.
Freshest smallmouth bass stockings
| Jun 22, 2026 | Lake WilliamsND | 180 |
| May 29, 2026 | Moon LakeND | 20 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Powerton Cooling LakeIL | 124,624 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Powerton Cooling LakeIL | 124,624 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Shabbona LakeIL | 5,139 |
| Jun 5, 2025 | South Holston LakeTN | 7,889 |
| May 25, 2025 | Lake WilliamsND | 166 |
| Jan 1, 2025 | Lauderdale LakesWI | 4,000 |
| Jan 1, 2025 | Turtle LakeWI | 400 |
| Jan 1, 2025 | Lake MaryWI | 211 |
| Jan 1, 2025 | Tichigan LakeWI | 1,000 |
| Jan 1, 2025 | Powerton Cooling LakeIL | 83,114 |
| Jan 1, 2025 | Powerton Cooling LakeIL | 83,114 |
| Jan 1, 2025 | Powerton Cooling LakeIL | 77,532 |
| Jan 1, 2025 | Powerton Cooling LakeIL | 4,736 |
Smallmouth Bass — FAQ
Where can I catch smallmouth bass?+
Smallmouth Bass are stocked across 6 states, led by Washington, Indiana, Utah, Illinois and Wisconsin. Pick a state below to see every water stocked with smallmouth bass.
What's the best bait for smallmouth bass?+
Tube jigs and soft plastic craws worked slowly along rock bottom are smallmouth staples. Ned rigs, small crankbaits, and inline spinners all produce, and in rivers, live crawfish or hellgrammites are hard to beat.
When is the best time to catch smallmouth bass?+
Late spring through early fall is the core window, with smallmouth most aggressive as water temperatures climb into the upper 60s. Fall feeding before winter is another strong window, often overlooked in favor of bass fishing's more popular spring season.
How many waters are stocked with smallmouth bass?+
113 waters across 6 states hold smallmouth bass on record, updated daily from agency stocking reports.