I'm wondering what lakes have the best smallmouth fishing on them? I know there are smallmouth in most of the lakes. But just wondering what the best ones are? And oh...in case you don't like smallmouths....I eat them. So let me know where they are in abundance and I'll eradicate as many as I can (within the limits of course). Thanks in advance!

Depends on whether you're going for size or numbers. IMHO, the bigger the water, the bigger the smallies (e.g, Basswood, Crooked, Iron, LLC, Sag). The bigger water also has more smaller smallies too, but they're spread over more water. When you find a good smaller lake with smallies, you can catch a ton of them. They're all over the BWCA. Quetico is pretty much fished out for smallies.

Yup! Noth'in much left in Quetico, better stay home.

Cummings Lake. Smalleys all over, most about 2 lbs.

We have caught a lot of smallies in Basswood.

They have infested just about every lake up der by now. If you can find a way to NOT catch them, your one heck of a fisherman.

In August I have always caught some decent sized smallies on routes starting on Saganaga and heading west. The wife and I have caught alot smallmouth in the 16",17", and 18" range(and alot more that were smaller) at the western end of Sag, Knife,Ottertrack, Ester, Jenny and Eddy.Two of the biggest smallies I have ever caught (20" and 21")in the BWCA were hooked on Hanson. Some good northern action can be found in this area as well. tom

Saganaga, Basswood, Two Island, Caribou, Hungry Jack, Cummings, Crab to name a few.

I have been a few places and maybe it depends on the year but probably the best smallie action that I've encountered was in lake 4, insula and hudson area.

here are a couple I caught in lake 4

here's a couple I caught on Iron 22 1/2 and knife 21 1/2

Friday Bay Crooked Lake September 2008

no measurements, unfortunately, but she fought like crazy!

they are just .........EVERYWHERE! :(
Top water bass is fun though.......

Gotta love Crooked. Look for moving water especially.

We had a great deal of success catching smallies in Never Fail Bay (LLC). Also Knife including the South Arm. Insula too.