|
|
|
Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of Lakes Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Healthy populations of the feisty smallmouth bass can be found in all of our lakes within the Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of Lakes. The smallmouth bass are sensitive to environmental factors, and can be greatly affected by polluted waters. Our clean rocky lakes of the Canadian Shield with abundant food supply; are a perfect environment for smallmouth to thrive.
The average size of smallmouth bass in the Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of Lakes is 1 to 3 pounds; although there are many trophy smallmouth bass swimming our lakes in the 4 to 5 pound size. Occasionally there have been huge bass in the 6 to 7 pound class caught, but this is a rare occurrence. Guests who put the time and effort in are often rewarded with catches of 10-30 bass in a day of Bronzeback fishing.
For the adventurous bass angler, Little Moose Lodge also has boats cached on several portage lakes. A great day on one of these lakes would be 40-60 bass caught and released, than on other days the catch numbers can be much lower. We recommend to spend a day fishing at one of our catch and release portage lakes, it usually is time well spent.
|
|
The lakes of the Clearwater-Pipestone chain, provides excellent smallmouth habitat. The smallmouth prefers cooler water temperatures than its cousin the largemouth bass, smallmouth will generally move to deeper water as the water warms up. Smallies have a preference for rock strewn, gravelly hard bottoms and hold around structure and shade. Our lakes contain thousands of underwater humps, islands, rock shoals, drop offs, ledges and sand-gravel points with bulrushes; areas where smallmouth bass will typically be found.
Although they will bite all day, peak feeding periods, is similar to those of walleyes, at dawn and dusk. Carnivorous, the smallmouth diet consists of crayfish, insects, tadpoles and smaller fish. Crayfish inhabit the same rocky areas that smallmouth do, so they make a convenient target for feeding bass. Smallmouth bass really key on the plentiful amount of crayfish in our lakes, crayfish can comprise more than two-thirds of the fish's diet.
Under the right weather conditions, there is a top water bite throughout the seasons on this fascinating water body. Cast top water lures such as a Hula Popper or Jitterbug and get ready for the calm glassy water to explode at the surface with an aerial acrobatic leap of a bass smashing your lure. This heart pounding fishing action is quite the adrenaline rush!
|
|
Smallmouth bass differ from most freshwater gamefish in that males and females grow at about the same rate. In our cooler Canadian Shield lakes, smallmouth can reach a lifespan of 15 years. Males reach sexual maturity around age 4-5 while females mature around age 5-7. A one pound smallmouth will be approximately 5 years old. We urge our guests to practice C.P.R. (catch-picture-release), so future generations can also enjoy the outstanding smallmouth fishing that the Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of Lakes has to offer.
Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of Lakes Smallmouth Bass Regulations:
Open Season: Open all year
Limit - Sport License: From Dec.1 to June 30 - 2 daily limit, must be less than 13.8 inches. From July 1 to Nov.30 - 4 daily limit, no size limit
Limit - Conservation License: From Dec.1 to June 30 - 1 daily limit, must be less than 13.8 inches. From July 1 to Nov.30 - 2 daily limit, no size limit
Size Restrictions: From Dec.1 to June 30 bass must be less than 13.8 inches to keep; from July 1 to Nov.30 there is no size limit.
|
|
 |
|
