So I've posted a couple times previously about a trip that I have planned for mid-May up to the Snowbank/Disappointment Lake area (staying on Disappointment), and have concentrated all my efforts on being ready to really go after the walleyes hard while I'm up there. However, recently I've been reading more and more posts about smallies and how they're usually pretty good in early June. Being that the season is MOST LIKELY ahead of schedule, what are the chances that while goin' after the 'eyes up there, I might lace into some good smallmouth action even in mid/late-May?

Any and all comments are appreciated, thanks folks...

Joel

Fish shallow and you will catch Smallies.

Is throwing a few topwaters in order? especially during low-light periods...

Back when i lived in ely i would go on day trips to Parent during the Smallmouth spawn.

Dear Mr. Guts,

Is that the color/pattern you recommend for smallies? I have frog - lime and bullfrog (brown)...is the silver and black a better option?

Rez,
One year we knocked them silly with Black and White....they hit on frog color too, but went nuts on B&W.

....sometimes they feel like a nut, sometimes they don't!

WalleyeLoveYou, This year might provide the best early-season smallmouth fishing EVER, as the earliest ice out on record is occurring across the North Country.

Yeah, if the water warms up:)

Ive had great smallie fishing for the last twenty years in early June regardless of the iceout date. You can never start shallow enough, I mean throw onto the bank if you have too, you can always work your way out deeper as the day goes along.

My daughter did very well in a back bay of Knife last May 29th. The water was really cold in Knife, but she caught many twos and a few threes and as usual, outfished her dad. Walleye fishing at the same time was not good. Was better in Birch on the way out.

Yeah we had an early ice out but the temps are still a little chilly. We need some rain/runnoff to get thing jump started.

quote Rez: "Dear Mr. Guts,


Is that the color/pattern you recommend for smallies? I have frog - lime and bullfrog (brown)...is the silver and black a better option?


"

I have found that the color of your popper matters very little. If there is a smallmouth close to your popper it will get hit within 4 to 5 pops regardless the color scheme.

I agree with Mr. Barley.....they will be more attracted to the noise/presentation than the color.