Where to go up north for smallies

[johnnybass]

Sturgeon Bay, WI is under 10 hours from your neck of the woods. If you are looking for some smaller inland lakes PM me with and I can point you in the right direction in Northern MN and WI

OP wants to avoid rough water- SB is great but conditions can be absolutely brutal when the wind is up or shifts and the water starts to run.

[AMSDJS]

Definitely stay away from big water as the wind and weather can quickly change and would ruin the experience for you and your wife. Also check the bass regulations for each state since they differ for each. Timing the bite will depend on where you choose to go and how far North you go, though May and June you'll probably run into fish in all three spawn phases. Definitely consider hiring a guide at least one day of your trip. Smaller rivers are also a good option to get away from the crowds and you and your wife might enjoy a nice float if you've never done that. Canada would be my choice but that's probably way too far a drive from MO.

[JJohnSind]

Is Minnesota closer to you than Michigan?

[Luke]

Is Minnesota closer to you than Michigan?

Depending on area they are similar distance.

[Imavol]

Zup's on Lac La Croix, look into it I went for 20 years, absolutely miss going. Some of the best fishing I have ever had.

[Philly]

The best areas within a reasonable drive from Missouri would be Sturgeon Bay or St. Claire/Erie in my opinion. You may also want to consider LaCrosse, Wi Pools 7, 8, and 9 where you can catch big numbers of BOTH SM and LM.

[basscat tyler]

I take a trip every year to Washington Island on Lake Michigan every fall. Been doing it for 20 years now, mid to late October. It's dicey because you have to hit the weather and water temps just right but when you do it can be incredible. Over the years we've had a good amount of 6's (including a 6-13) and one year a guy got one that I believe was 7 1/2. This year we didn't have any over 5 but a dozen or so that were close and more between 3 and 4 than under 3. I weighed a 16 incher that was 3-1...they get so fat.

Besides the fishing it's just a really cool place to go.

Do you guys ferry across or do you boat across “death’s door”?

[rid 05 198]

Do you guys ferry across or do you boat across “death’s door”?

When I'm alone I run it myself. Friends and family take ferry. 100 bucks and everyone lives. I'd feel bad taking someone with me. I rode the wake behind the ferry to get home more times than I should have. Ferry you have your rig and can drive around and stay a night or two.

[Solitario Lupo]

Could always try up around Erie. Hit the right time can catch a lot.

[Junk Fisherman]

While I know you said you want to stay away from big water, there are many bays with accompanying launches in Door County, WI which makes it easy to stay out of the wind. Take a look at a map, there are ways to get out of the wind regardless as to what direction it is blowing from. I know it is intimidating the first time but you get used to it real fast. And women LOVE Door Co!

Mid to late May is the best time for spawners but the weather usually fluctuates more. I like early July after the spawn is pretty much over.

[Babe Winkleworm]

There is an excellent small mouth lake about 6 hours northwest of you.oahe

[BassnPhoenix920]

Northern Minnesota offers plenty of small lake options and larger lake options.

[jdwo2212]

Went up to sturgeon bay last may. Caught a lot of pre spawn and spawning fish. I was surprised that the water and ramps were more manageable than i expected. We ran into a wicked storm and had about a 4 mile run to get back to fish creek. Rough and nasty, yes. But..honestly it wasnt any worse than the mississippi river pool 12 on a saturday in july with all the tuna boats and cruisers. Bout the same wave height. So if you're used to busy lakes, its like that. We caught lots of good ones and its about 4 hrs from iowa/wi border.

[Gsmith223]

Grand Traverse Bay is a great area for Smallies. The bays keep the wind off of you and makes Lake Michigan fish a little smaller. There are also a bunch of smaller lakes in that area loaded with Smallies.

[dwtaylor]

Went up to sturgeon bay last may. Caught a lot of pre spawn and spawning fish. I was surprised that the water and ramps were more manageable than i expected. We ran into a wicked storm and had about a 4 mile run to get back to fish creek. Rough and nasty, yes. But..honestly it wasnt any worse than the mississippi river pool 12 on a saturday in july with all the tuna boats and cruisers. Bout the same wave height. So if you're used to busy lakes, its like that. We caught lots of good ones and its about 4 hrs from iowa/wi border.

At least in the Miss in July, the scenery is better...that bay water especially in May is cold!

[bassfisher444]

Not looking for like big huge bodies of water like the great lakes as the wife is not a fan of rough water. It dosent bother me too much but have never been on something that big when it gets bad.

Minnesota for sure then, thousands of small lakes that are full of smallmouth, took a week long trip up there a few years back and caught 15-20 a day.

[jdwo2212]

At least in the Miss in July, the scenery is better...that bay water especially in May is cold!

Very true on both fronts.

[JAZII]

I know you said too far but you really need to experience it.
1000 Islands St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario area September
Hundreds of 4s, plenty of 5s, some 6s, and good chance of a 7.