Description
The summer transition is officially underway on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, and the fishing has been excellent.
There are still plenty of fish shallow with a few bass still on beds, a lot of fish protecting fry, and many more feeding aggressively around shallow cover. The shallow bite has remained incredibly consistent and should continue producing for quite a while.
At the same time, the deep bite is really starting to heat up. More and more fish are moving onto their traditional summer structure and that pattern should continue improving over the next several weeks.
Keep in mind that not all summer smallmouth move deep. There will be plenty of fish that stay shallow all season long. Shallow points, flats, shoals, and rocky areas in both the river and Lake Ontario will continue producing quality fish throughout the summer months.
For the offshore bite, start looking for rock transitions, isolated boulders, rock clusters, hard spots, and irregular bottom composition in deeper water. Those areas are beginning to load up with fish and should continue getting better for the next few months.
If you're planning a trip to the Thousand Islands, the St. Lawrence River, or Eastern Lake Ontario, now is one of the best times of the year to be on the water.
TACKLE USED IN THIS REPORT
Great Lakes Finesse Ned Bug
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Great_Lakes_Finesse_Ned_Bug/descpage-GLFNBJ.html?from=SMCR
Great Lakes Finesse Stealth Football Jig Head
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Great_Lakes_Finesse_Stealth_Football_Jig_Head_3pk/descpage-GLFSFFJ.html?from=SMCR
Z-Man NedlockZ HD Jig Head
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Nedlockz_HD_Jig_Head_5pk/descpage-ZNLHD.html?from=SMCR
Great Lakes Finesse Dropkick Shad Swimbait
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Great_Lakes_Finesse_Dropkick_Shad_Swimbait/descpage-GLFDS.html?from=SMCR
Great Lakes Finesse Stay Pinned Spy Bait
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Great_Lakes_Finesse_Stay_Pinned_Spy_Bait/descpage-GLFSP.html?from=SMCR
Megabass Spark Shad
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Spark_Shad_Swimbaits/descpage-MEGSS.html?from=SMCR
Megabass Hazedong Shad
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Hazedong_Shad_Swimbaits/descpage-MBHDS.html?from=SMCR
Beast Coast Open Water Sniper Jig
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Beast_Coast_Hand-Tied_Tungsten_Compound_OW_Sniper_Jig/descpage-TOJ.html?from=SMCR
St. Croix Legend X2 Casting Rods
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix_Legend_X2_Casting_Rods/descpage-LXCST.html?from=SMCR
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If you're buying tackle from Tackle Warehouse, using the links above costs you absolutely nothing and directly supports SmallmouthCrush through affiliate tracking. It is greatly appreciated.
BOOK A FISHING TRIP OR ONE ON ONE SESSION
Guided fishing trips on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River:
https://www.smallmouthcrush.com
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https://www.smallmouthcrush.com/one-on-one/