The Seine Chain Smallmouth Bass:
Pound for pound there is no better freshwater sport fish that gives an angler a better fight and better action than the smallmouth bass.
While we have terrific fishing for all species, our smallmouth bass continues to be the standout species for our resort. The Seine Chain of Lakes is home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in Northwestern Ontario, and we welcome die hard bass fishermen from all over the United States and Canada year after year to enjoy the action that our scrappy smallies provide.
Perhaps the most popular method for fishing smallies is the topwater action, particularly in May and June.
In the early season, the smallies are in shallow - almost on shore. They are found on rocky shorelines, preparing and protecting their spawning beds. Pre and post spawn they tend to be in the same areas - just further out from the shore.
We always want to remind our fishing groups how the mortality of the fry is directly affected by fishing the spawn (and post spawn). Taking a male bass guarding the beds for even a couple minutes will result in the hatch being attacked by other predators.
Using any topwater plug that rattles and / or splashes, cast right up beside the shore; let the plug sit on the surface for a few seconds than "jerk" it slowly back. Some examples would be Fat Raps, Dying Flutters, Hula Poppers and plugs of that ilk.
Plastics have become much more common over the last 10 years or so with senkos, flukes and others dominating the tackle on our anglers rods during this time. The most popular colors tend to be white, pumpkinseed and watermelon.
If the bass are there, and they don't responds as soon as it hits the water, they likely will during the retrieve.
Then hang on for a great ride - down to the bottom, then up jumping above the surface!
We do have regular bass fishing groups that work the shoreline all year long using this technique, although later in the summer, bass, like walleye, go deep and school up. Many trophy bass come when anglers are jigging for walleye at 25'+ .
Later in the summer some "bottom bounce" areas with crawlers and leeches and we find these baits are effective in the in the current of the narrows.
We also often enjoy anchoring on a reef and casting around it.
Likely the best mid / late season technique is to watch for bass - often in deep and very deep water and often in the middle of the lake - as they shoot to the surface chasing ciscos. Using surface lugs like spooks and various poppers and twitch baits you can expect some of our best bass action. A good portion of monster bass (ie 5-6 lbs +) come from this fishing style in the mid to late season.
Perhaps one of the best mid - late summer tackle choices for smallies (and any other species) is the black and yellow Mepps Black Fury - we prefer #3. Chatterbaits and spinner baits can also be very effective.
Although many like early mornings and late evenings, bass fishing on the Seine often is terrific throughout the day
Take advantage of the Seine Chain for some world class smallmouth bass fishing and enjoy the incredible wilderness of Northwestern Ontario at the same time.
The bass on the Seine Chain is like many Northwestern Ontario Lakes - very healthy, large numbers and good sizes.
Each year we see loads of smaller bass from 14" - 17" and many smaller than that indicating a healthy fishery.
We tend to have a lot of bass in the 18" - 20" range - most of our regular bass fishermen do not consider anything under 20" a trophy.
We get a good number around 21" and some 22" each year.
Some waters in NW Ontario are treating smallmouth as an invasive species, as they were introduced to many lakes in the area many years ago.
The problem with the bass on some waters is that they do tend to dominate as they are aggressive and are the only species that defends their spawning bed.
In many lakes - particularly land locked lakes, the trend seems to be that as bass populations increase (which they are quite rapidly) the walleye population goes down.
We're fortunate on the Seine Chain to have these two great species of sport fish able to thrive without affecting the other.
Other Lakes With Great Smallmouth Bass Fishing: Although most of our groups never leave the Seine Chain, there are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of nearby lakes where you can fish smallmouth bass.
They range from easy access with boat launches, to lakes that require portaging, canoes etc.
Some of our most popular daytrip smallmouth lakes are Twinling Lake, Lerome Lake, Marmion Lake, Ear Lake and Icy lake. Some of these lakes involve different dynamics - for example some have great shoreline action all year - where many of our home system bass move deepers.
Smallmouth Bass migrate or change their feeding habits with changing water temperatures and different bug hatches. Please read the fishing details based on the month in the menu under fishing.
Smallmouth Bass Fly-fishing Adventures: In recent years, fly fishing enthusiasts have discovered the waters of the Seine and other area lakes offer fantastic action for "fish on the fly".
The word is getting out - not just about our excellent fishing, but especially our terrific fly fishing action. We have hosted The New Fly Fisher television show for episodes for their 2017, 2018 and 2022 seasons.
But many of our guests have known about this "secret" for years....here's some words of advice for fly fishermen (and women) from Dennis Berry - one of our great guests who has been fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the chain...
