Nestled deep in the frozen tundra that is Minnesota in the winter, are very few areas that don’t freeze. These areas that don’t freeze can be gold mines. Many anglers seek solace in what little water remains soft, whether it is targeting smallmouth, trout, walleye, I think breaking out any long rod is a win. For me, I decided to break out the little Jet Sled and put on some river miles. After a couple runs up and down the river, we were able to map a trail of the deepest trail through the skinny water to run most effectively.
We tricked some smallmouth using live bait, artificials, as well as on the fly. I love smallmouth, and these river smallmouth have a grit that won’t quit. There is something about catching a smallmouth in February that just seems to stoke the fire for another amazing season.
In my experience in rivers, most smallmouth will seek wintering areas in deeper holes with slower moving current. When they need to feed, they will slide out of these wintering areas up to shallower feeding areas containing bait. I look for shallow flats with the most sun exposure throughout the day.
Tactics used: Ned Rigs, Swimbaits, Live Bait, and diving flies on a sinking line.
Target Species: Smallmouth Bass