When the Smallmouth Turn On

Some days you plan to chase walleyes… and the smallmouth decide otherwise.

That’s exactly what happened this week. We started the morning working mid-depth rock for walleyes and picked up a few right away. But once the sun got a little higher and the wind laid down, we slid shallow to check some isolated boulders — and that’s when things got interesting.

The smallmouth were set up in 6–10 feet of water, tight to rock with just enough breeze pushing bait in. Tubes and ned rigs were getting bit almost every cast. The best part about summer smallmouth on Vermilion is how aggressive they can be. When they’re feeding, they don’t just bite — they hammer it.

We ended up switching gears entirely and spent the rest of the morning targeting bass. Plenty of 17–19 inch fish, with a couple that pushed past that mark. Not a bad “backup plan.”

It’s a good reminder that flexibility wins. Lake Vermilion gives you options, and being willing to adjust can turn a decent day into one you won’t forget.