Fall Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Northern Michigan: Patterns, Baits & Hotspots

By Carter Helsel – ReelNorthOutdoors

Why Fall is One of the Best Times to Catch Smallmouth

When the leaves start to turn and the tourists head south, Northern Michigan’s lakes come alive in a different way. Fall marks the start of the smallmouth bass feeding frenzy — a short but powerful window where fish are aggressively feeding before winter sets in.

If you’re looking to hook into some of the biggest smallies of the year, fall is your time.

Understanding Fall Smallmouth Behavior

As water temps drop into the 50s and 60s, smallmouth bass shift into pre-winter feeding mode. They move out of their deep summer haunts and start staging along points, humps, and drop-offs near deeper basins.

You’ll find them in:

• 15–30 feet of water (earlier fall)
• Shallower structure (on warmer days or during sunny stretches)
• Rocky transitions, flats, and bait-rich areas

Look for bait balls on your sonar — if you find the bait, you’ll usually find the bass.

Key Fall Fishing Tips for Northern Michigan Waters

1. Slow Down Your Presentation

Fall smallmouth will hit hard, but they’re also more methodical. Pause, twitch, and drag are your best friends. The bite might feel like dead weight or a faint tick.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, wait 2 seconds longer before your next move. Fall bass often inhale the bait while it’s sitting still.

2. Match the Forage

Northern Michigan smallmouth feed heavily on:

• Crayfish
• Goby (especially in Great Lakes-connected waters)
• Baitfish like shiners or smelt

So, use natural patterns — green pumpkin, brown, smoke, or shad colors.

3. Let the Weather Guide You

• Cold fronts: Fish slow and deep
• Warm, stable weather: Move shallower and fish faster
• Wind: Smallmouth love it. Wind-blown points and flats often produce best

Best Fall Smallmouth Baits (Northern Michigan Approved)

Here’s a breakdown of what consistently produces fish for me in Northern Michigan lakes and bays:

Drop Shot (w/ Flatworm or Dream Shot)

• Target deeper water and suspended fish
• Let it soak — slow twitches, long pauses
• Use in Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Charlevoix, and Platte River

Tube Jigs

• 3.5″ tubes in green pumpkin, smoke, or goby colors
• Drag them slowly over rock piles and humps
• Great for places like Elk Lake, Crystal Lake, Glenn Lake, and Green Lake

Jerkbaits (Suspending)

• Perfect on warmer fall days
• Twitch-pause-twitch cadence — experiment with pause lengths
• Use when smallmouth are chasing baitfish near points or breaks, such as Duck Lake and Skegemog Lake

Ned Rigs

• A finesse killer for picky smallmouth
• TRD or other small stickbaits
• Excellent around deep grass or scattered rock, especially in Burt and Mullett Lakes

Swimbaits

• 3–4″ on a light jig head
• Slow roll across bottom or mid-column
• Use in clear, deep lakes like Torch and Glen Lake

Favorite Fall Fishing Spots in Northern Michigan

Here are a few places that have produced consistently for me in fall:

Grand Traverse Bay

• Deep water clarity and big smallmouth
• Focus on rocky ledges and drop-offs

Elk Lake

• Excellent fall structure, good visibility
• Look for fish near the deep flats around the center basin

Torch Lake

• Deep and clear — finesse tactics shine
• Fish suspend off breaks and drop-offs

Burt & Mullett Lakes

• Classic fall smallmouth fisheries
• Target deeper transitions and humps with tube jigs

Platte River and Platte Lake

• Known for rocky shorelines and consistent smallmouth
• Focus on current breaks and structure near river mouths

Glenn Lake and Green Lake

• Great clarity and structure, perfect for finesse presentations
• Fish rocky points and submerged ledges

Duck Lake and Skegemog Lake

• Smaller lakes with productive bays and coves
• Ideal for jigging and soft plastic presentations near submerged rock

Reminder: Always check Michigan DNR regulations for catch-and-release rules and closed seasons — some areas may have special restrictions.

Gear Checklist

If you’re heading out, here’s what I pack for fall bass:

• Spinning rod (medium-light) with 6–8 lb fluoro for finesse
• Baitcaster with 10–12 lb fluoro for jerkbaits or swimbaits
• Good polarized sunglasses — spot those deep rock lines
• Layers — fall mornings get cold fast in the north

Fall Fishing = Big Rewards

Fall smallmouth in Northern Michigan aren’t just active — they’re fat, aggressive, and photo-worthy. The crowds are gone, the lakes are quiet, and every cast feels like a chance at your new personal best.

If you’ve never fished this season seriously, now’s the time to change that.

Have a Favorite Fall Spot?

Let me know in the comments or shoot me a message — I’m always up for sharing stories or hearing where they’re biting.

And if you’re gearing up for the season, check out my upcoming post:
Top 5 Fall Smallmouth Baits for Northern Michigan

Thanks for reading, and tight lines.
— Carter Helsel
Founder, ReelNorthOutdoors