One tip in locating Springtime smallmouth bass on Lake Erie is water temperature. When the ice comes off the lake look for areas that warm up first. Creek mouths are one of the areas to look at. Creeks empty warm water into the lakes. The warm water brings nutrients flowing into the lake that attract bait fish. Creek mouth areas usually have a collection of rock, gravel and sand that is ideal smallmouth structure.

Look for these areas with the use of your electronics and a Aqua View underwater camera. Put warmer water, bait, and structure together and you have a key location for Lake Erie springtime smallmouth.

Some of the creeks to look for, in the eastern basin are Canadaway Creek, Cattaraugus Creek, Eighteenmile Creek and Smokes Creek and there are numerous smaller ones that flow in to Lake Erie

When going out on Lake Erie to battle those 4's, 5's and bigger smallmouth, proper tackle selection is a must. Here are my recomendations for various techniques to catch those huge smallmouth: