Chasing Fall Bass

What you need to know about fishing large and smallmouth bass in the fall

When temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to change, most people are thinking about putting their boats away. When it comes to the fall, that’s the last thing I am thinking about. This time of year is when you have the best chance of catching a fish of a lifetime. A time I look forward to all year. Not to mention that not only can you catch a true giant, but you can catch them in great numbers.

kevin king fishing fall ontario bass

Chasing largemouth and smallmouth bass in the fall starts with knowing about their movements throughout the year and prime locations where they will winter during the ice season. Whether you are chasing smallmouth or largemouth, the difference in migration patterns is significant.

adam vallee 2 ontario fall bass

(Photo credit: Angling Algoma)
adam vallee, james smedley, tyler dunn with smallmouth bass

(Photo credit: Angling Algoma and Tyler Dunn Guiding)

Largemouth that primarily uses shallow water and hangs around heavily vegetated areas will group up and vacate to primary points on the main lake, or the deepest weed lines when rock is not abundant. They like to school together on points with a rocky, hard-bottomed structure where the bait will tend to always be feeding through. You can also still find largemouth bass shallow throughout the fall following bait and hanging on the last green areas they can find, but this tends to be on shallower lakes where shallow vegetation is prominent.

angler holding fall ontario bass

Smallmouth bass on the other hand always seems to move to the deepest offshore structures they can find, like rock piles and shoals.

adam vallee, tyler dunn holding fall bass

(Photo credit: Angling Algoma and Tyler Dunn Guiding)

In early to mid-fall, you can use much more aggressive and reaction-style baits, as their strike zones are much larger and they will still chase a bait a good distance. Late fall is a time when you have to slow down and use baits that can stay in the strike zone a lot longer, as they will barely move to hit a bait. Earlier in fall, good bait selections include spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and lipless crankbaits. Later in fall, it's all about bottom baits like jigs, tubes, and drop-shot style baits.

angler holding 2 bass

tyler dunn with smallmouth bass

(Photo credit: Tyler Dunn Guiding)

When it comes to fall here in Algoma Country, this is the time to be in your boat, enjoying the beautiful scenery along with the best fishing of the year. Dress appropriately and be sure to bring the camera, because you don't want to miss out on capturing your best view or moment of the season.

kevin king and angler with fall ontario bass

(Photo credits: Kevin King)
About Kevin King

I have had a love for the outdoors for as long as I can remember and was lucky enough to have that instilled through my father and grandfather. My passion is fishing but I also like to hunt and sharing my passion with others is what I love to do. 

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