Hey fellas. I’m going to start planning a trip to Jean Lake for 2020 and targeting smallmouth bass. What time of year would you guys recommend? I’ve been in Quetico many times and we always go in July. I was thinking maybe early June?

Thanks for the input.

Early to mid-June. Go for two weeks and you can be sure to hit the hot bite. They will move shallow to spawn in late May to mid June depending on weather and water body size/area of the lake, etc.

Personally, I'd rather be a bit early than to be a bit late and have to fish for post spawn females. Once the females have spawned they will be a bit reluctant for awhile. Fishing for the little males on the nests is fun, but not likely to get you many large fish.

Jean is one of my favorites. Please join the forum. It is a great place to hang out with great people and you will get a lot more help as a member.

We did well on SMB 2-3rd weekend of August 2019. Lots of fun reefs to fish off of. We caught most jigging Ned rigs with TRD/Hula Sticks as well as drop shotting artificial leeches. Was a blast! We struggled to find walleye on Jean, but one night dialed into the LT in 40ft of water.

I wouldn't go early June. Mid June would be better. The neck down area towards the east has always been good for SMB.